Lidar-based trailer tracking
US11125881B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2018 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2720/106
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The technology relates to autonomous vehicles having articulating sections such as the trailer of a tractor-trailer. Aspects include approaches for tracking the pose of the trailer, including its orientation relative to the tractor unit. Sensor data is analyzed from one or more onboard sensors to identify and track the pose. The pose information is usable by on-board perception and/or planning systems when driving the vehicle in an autonomous mode. By way of example, on-board sensors such as Lidar sensors are used to detect the real-time pose of the trailer based on Lidar point cloud data. The orientation of the trailer is estimated based on the point cloud data, and the pose is determined according to the orientation and other information about the trailer. Aspects also include determining which side of the trailer the sensor data is coming from. A camera may also detect trailer marking information to supplement the analysis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.