Ground Vehicle Route Planning With Weighted UAV Terrain Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing route planning techniques for unfamiliar terrain are time-consuming, manpower-intensive, and unreliable due to reliance on outdated or inaccurate base maps and satellite data, particularly in evolving terrains like contested or construction sites, where they fail to provide accurate and rapid route planning.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing frequent and efficient remote UAV data acquisition to access geospatial data, analyze terrain metrics, weight data based on vehicle constraints and mission priorities, and construct a geospatially-mapped array to optimize route planning for ground vehicles, avoiding manual waypoint selection and generating accurate and reliable routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual techniques with pre-existing base maps and satellite data are used for route planning, then the process is simple to implement, but the accuracy and reliability of terrain information is poor (3-30 meters accuracy) and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual route planning techniques with an automated computer-based system that processes UAV geospatial data. The system automatically generates terrain models, calculates terrain metrics, and determines optimal routes without manual intervention, achieving both high accuracy (5-10 cm) and rapid processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data source from low-accuracy satellite imagery (3-30 meters) to high-accuracy UAV-collected geospatial data (5-10 centimeters). This parameter change in data resolution and quality enables precise terrain analysis and reliable route planning in evolving terrains
2Reliability
If pre-existing base maps and satellite data are used for route planning, then the system complexity is low, but the reliability of route planning in evolving terrains is poor due to outdated information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary aerial surveys using UAVs to collect current geospatial data before route planning begins. This advance data collection ensures that the most up-to-date terrain information is available, improving reliability in evolving terrains without requiring complex real-time processing during mission execution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer-based processing system as an intermediary between raw UAV geospatial data and route planning decisions. This system automatically generates terrain models and calculates metrics, bridging the gap between data collection and route determination while managing system complexity
3Productivity
If manual waypoint selection and route generation are used, then the system is easy to operate, but the productivity and efficiency of route planning is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automated system that performs route planning independently without requiring manual waypoint selection or human intervention. The computer-based system automatically processes geospatial data, generates terrain models, and determines optimal routes, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining ease of use through automated workflows
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for supporting one or more ground vehicles on a mission that includes traversal of a ground region. The method includes accessing geospatial data produced from an aerial survey of the ground region, and performing an analysis of the geospatial data to produce terrain data that describes the ground region. The terrain data is weighted based on constraints of the one or more ground vehicles, and an order of priority of criteria of the mission. A map is constructed in which the ground region is expressed as a geospatially-mapped array of the weighted terrain data, and the map is searched for a path that meets the criteria of the mission. The path is described by a series of waypoints that define a route across the ground region, and an indication of the route is output for the one or more ground vehicles to traverse during the mission.