Method for the autonomous localization of a driverless, motorized vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for the autonomous localization of a driverless motorized vehicle within a known environment, comprising:
- using a sensor arranged on the vehicle for range-measuring;
changing at least one of a measurement direction and a measurement plane of the sensor by controlling a sensor motor;
obtaining a map of the environment, the map having natural landmarks recorded thereon, the natural landmarks being landmarks that are not placed in the environment for the purpose of localization;
stipulating a pre-determined route along which the vehicle is to move;
identifying landmarks along the pre-determined route, to serve as localization aids, and identifying one or more critical regions in the environment along the pre-determined route, the one or more critical regions being regions which contain a number of landmarks that is below a threshold value;
scanning the environment at different points in time, while the vehicle is moving along the pre-determined route, the environment being scanned using the sensor to detect the landmarks along the pre-determined route; and
localizing the vehicle by comparing the landmarks identified along the pre-determined route with the landmarks recorded on the map;
actively controlling a speed and/or a rotation direction of the sensor motor at least while the vehicle is moving in the one or more critical regions such that the sensor is oriented toward the landmarks in the one or more critical regions, in order to ensure detection of the landmarks in the one or more critical regions.
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Abstract
A range-measuring sensor is arranged on a vehicle. The direction of measurement or plane of measurement of the sensor can be altered by driving a sensor motor. A map of the environment is produced by using natural landmarks. A predetermined route along which the vehicle is intended to move is stipulated. Landmarks which can serve as a localization aid along the predetermined route are determined. The environment is scanned at different times by using the sensor in order to detect the previously determined landmarks while the vehicle is moving along the predetermined route. The vehicle is localized by comparing the detected landmarks with the landmarks recorded on the map. The sensor motor is actively controlled, at least in areas of the environment with only a few previously determined landmarks, such that the sensor is oriented to these landmarks in order to ensure that they are detected.
32 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for the autonomous localization of a driverless motorized vehicle within a known environment, comprising:
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using a sensor arranged on the vehicle for range-measuring; changing at least one of a measurement direction and a measurement plane of the sensor by controlling a sensor motor; obtaining a map of the environment, the map having natural landmarks recorded thereon, the natural landmarks being landmarks that are not placed in the environment for the purpose of localization; stipulating a pre-determined route along which the vehicle is to move; identifying landmarks along the pre-determined route, to serve as localization aids, and identifying one or more critical regions in the environment along the pre-determined route, the one or more critical regions being regions which contain a number of landmarks that is below a threshold value; scanning the environment at different points in time, while the vehicle is moving along the pre-determined route, the environment being scanned using the sensor to detect the landmarks along the pre-determined route; and localizing the vehicle by comparing the landmarks identified along the pre-determined route with the landmarks recorded on the map; actively controlling a speed and/or a rotation direction of the sensor motor at least while the vehicle is moving in the one or more critical regions such that the sensor is oriented toward the landmarks in the one or more critical regions, in order to ensure detection of the landmarks in the one or more critical regions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification