Method and system for guiding a vehicle
AssigneeHaptica Ltd.
InventorsGerard Lacey, Shane MacNamara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Movement of a vehicle such as a boat (30) is guided by dynamically monitoring parameters and generating instructions for the operator. The instructions are at a level to attain a number of sub-goals to reach a goal position (33) from a current position (32). Each sub-goal is attained in a single vehicle manoeuvre such as straight-ahead or rotation, each manoeuvre being instructable to the operator. The instructions are generated using a space model (12) of the space around the vehicle, an operator model (11) of operator vehicle control characteristics, and a vehicle model (12) of vehicle movement characteristics.
Claims21
A vehicle guidance system (1) comprising means for detecting position of a vehicle (30) and a processor (2) for generating operator instructions to assist the operator to manoeuvre the vehicle, characterised in that
- the system comprises range sensors (3-7) and means for using outputs of the sensors to dynamically maintain a space map (12) in real time;
- the system comprises an operator model of operator capabilities;
- and
- the processor (2) comprises means for planning a path to a goal position (33) in a confined space using data from the operator model (11) of operator capabilities and data from the space map (12)
A guidance system substantially as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
A guidance system substantially as described with reference to FIG. 8.
A method of guiding a vehicle from a current position (32) to a goal position (33) in a confined space, the method comprising the steps of:—
- range sensors (3-7) automatically sensing objects around the vehicle (30),
- a processor using outputs of the range sensors to dynamically maintain a space map (12) in real time,
- the processor planning a path to the goal position (33) using data from the space map (12) and from an operator model of operator capabilities,
- an output interface (16-19) outputting instructions to the operator for movement of the vehicle according to the planned path, and
- the operator moving the vehicle according to the instructions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.