Estimating friction based on image data
First Claim
1. A friction estimation system for estimating friction-related data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels, the friction estimation system comprising:
- a camera array comprising a plurality of imagers configured to capture image data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels;
an image interpreter in communication with the camera array and configured to receive the image data from the camera array and determine friction-related data associated with the surface based, at least in part, on the image data, the image interpreter being configured to be in communication with a vehicle control system and provide the friction-related data to the vehicle control system;
a location sensor, an output of which comprises a location of the vehicle; and
one or more processors configured to associate, based at least in part on the location, the friction-related data with a map accessible to the vehicle.
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Abstract
A friction estimation system for estimating friction-related data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels, may include a camera array including a plurality of imagers configured to capture image data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels. The image data may include light data associated with the surface. The friction estimation system may also include an image interpreter in communication with the camera array and configured to receive the image data from the camera array and determine friction-related data associated with the surface based, at least in part, on the image data. The image interpreter may be configured to be in communication with a vehicle control system and provide the friction-related data to the vehicle control system.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A friction estimation system for estimating friction-related data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels, the friction estimation system comprising:
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a camera array comprising a plurality of imagers configured to capture image data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels; an image interpreter in communication with the camera array and configured to receive the image data from the camera array and determine friction-related data associated with the surface based, at least in part, on the image data, the image interpreter being configured to be in communication with a vehicle control system and provide the friction-related data to the vehicle control system; a location sensor, an output of which comprises a location of the vehicle; and one or more processors configured to associate, based at least in part on the location, the friction-related data with a map accessible to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle control system for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle control system comprising:
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a friction estimation system for estimating friction-related data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels, the friction estimation system comprising; a camera array configured to capture image data associated with the surface on which the vehicle travels; and an image interpreter in communication with the camera array and configured to receive the image data from the camera array and to determine friction-related data associated with the surface based, at least in part, on the image data; a transmitter in communication with a network; and a drive system in communication with the friction estimation system and configured to control maneuvering of the vehicle, the drive system comprising at least one of; a vehicle propulsion system configured to propel the vehicle on the surface, a vehicle steering system configured to alter a direction of travel of the vehicle, or a vehicle braking system configured to reduce a speed of travel of the vehicle, wherein the drive system is configured to receive the friction-related data from one or more of the friction estimation system or the network and control maneuvering of the vehicle based, at least in part, on the friction-related data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for estimating friction-related data associated with a surface on which a vehicle travels, the method comprising:
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obtaining image data associated with the surface via a camera array comprising a plurality of imagers; correlating the image data with material data associated with a material of the surface; correlating the material data with friction-related data; estimating the friction-related data based, at least in part, on the correlation between the material data and the friction-related data; and transmitting, via a network, data correlating a location of the vehicle and the friction-related data to one or more of a second vehicle or a server. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification