Apparatus and methodology of road condition classification using sensor data

A system for controlling a vehicle action based on classifying a condition of a road on which a vehicle is travelling, the system comprising:

• one or more first sensors configured to provide first sensor data as to a surface of the road;
• one or more second sensors configured to provide second sensor data as to a measured parameter pertaining to operation of the vehicle or conditions pertaining thereto;
• and
• a processor disposed coupled to the first sensors and the second sensors and configured to:
• generate a plurality of road surface channel images from the first sensor data, wherein each road surface channel image captures one of a plurality of facets of properties of the first sensor data;
• classify, using a neural network model, the condition of the road on which the vehicle is travelling, based on the measured parameter and the plurality of road surface channel images;
• and
• provide instructions to control a vehicle action based on the condition of the road.

A vehicle comprising:

• a body;
• a drive system disposed within the body and configured to drive the vehicle;
• and
• a control system coupled to the drive system, the control system comprising:
• one or more first sensors configured to provide first sensor data as to a surface of the road;
• one or more second sensors configured to provide second sensor data as to a measured parameter pertaining to operation of the vehicle or conditions pertaining thereto;
• and
• a processor disposed coupled to the first sensors and the second sensors and configured to:
• generate a plurality of road surface channel images from the first sensor data, wherein each road surface channel image captures one of a plurality of facets of properties of the first sensor data;
• classify, using a neural network model, the condition of the road on which the vehicle is travelling, based on the measured parameter and the plurality of road surface channel images;
• and
• provide instructions to control a vehicle action based on the condition of the road.