METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATING AT A WORKSITE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling an autonomous vehicle in a worksite. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a predetermined trajectory of a work sequence of the autonomous vehicle, the predetermined trajectory including at least a set path and a set speed; adding a pre-defined variation to the predetermined trajectory to form a test trajectory, the variation including at least a variation in set path or set speed; comparing the energy usage over the test trajectory and the predetermined trajectory; determining whether or not the compared energy usage achieves a pre-set criteria; and setting the test trajectory as a new set trajectory of the autonomous vehicle in response to determining that the compared energy usage achieves the pre-set criteria.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle in a worksite, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a predetermined trajectory of a work sequence of the autonomous vehicle, the predetermined trajectory including at least a set path and a set speed, adding a pre-defined variation to the predetermined trajectory to form a test trajectory, the variation including at least a variation in set path or set speed, comparing the energy usage over the test trajectory and the predetermined trajectory, determining whether or not the compared energy usage achieves a pre-set criteria, setting the test trajectory as a new set trajectory of the autonomous vehicle in response to determining that the compared energy usage achieves the pre-set criteria.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-set criteria is at least that the test trajectory has lower energy usage than the predetermined trajectory.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-set criteria is at least that the compared energy usage is related to one of the following: elapsed time of the work sequence, elapsed time of the set path, minimum average speed, maximum allowed vibration, desired battery usage.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-defined variation includes noise, or a step-change in set path and/or set speed.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous vehicle further comprises an auxiliary equipment configured to perform work such as digging or loading, and wherein the predetermined trajectory comprises the action of performing work of the autonomous vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pre-defined variation is a variation in at least the action of performing work, or the path position of the action of performing work.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous vehicle is configured for carrying a load, and wherein the pre-defined variation includes at least a variation of the set path by the load carrying distance of the autonomous vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set path corresponds to a travel distance of the autonomous vehicle from a starting location to a target location, and/or corresponds to a travel distance of an auxiliary equipment of the autonomous vehicle from a starting position to a target position.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined trajectory comprises a set path having a starting location and a target location and/or a starting position and a target position, and wherein the test trajectory comprises a set path having the same starting location and target location or the same starting position and target position, respectively.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pre-defined variation includes a variation in set path of a pre-defined path-portion between the starting location and target location or between the starting position and target position.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set path of the predetermined trajectory is a first path, and the set path of the test trajectory is a second path, wherein the second path is different to the first path.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second path is shorter compared to the first path.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous vehicle comprises a memory, and wherein the memory is configured to store historical data relating to a travelled path of the autonomous vehicle having a travelled speed, as a predetermined trajectory.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous vehicle comprises a motor and a battery configured to supply energy to the motor, and wherein the method further comprises measuring the energy usage of the battery for the predetermined trajectory and the test trajectory.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous vehicle is a working machine.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined trajectory comprises an uphill path-portion, and wherein the pre-defined variation includes a variation in the set path to avoid the uphill path-portion, or a variation in the set speed prior to, or during, the uphill path-portion.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-defined variation is bounded by safety parameters and vehicle limitations.

18. A computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of claim 1 when the program is run on a computer.

19. A computer readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of claim 1 when the program product is run on a computer.

20. An autonomous vehicle such as autonomous working machine, comprising a computer program according to claim 18.

21. An autonomous vehicle such as autonomous working machine, comprising a computer readable medium carrying a computer program according to claim 19.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples. In the drawings:

[0065] FIG. 1 is a top view of a worksite in which an autonomous vehicle in the form of a hauler is controlled to operate according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0066] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an excavator controlled to operate at a worksite according to an embodiment of the invention, and

[0067] FIG. 3 is a flow chart outlining the general steps of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0068] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description. In the present detailed description, various embodiments of the method according to the present invention are mainly discussed with reference to a hauler carrying a load from a loading location to an unloading location at a worksite, and an excavator digging at a desired spot and moving the dug load to another position. It should be noted that this by no means limits the scope of the present invention which is equally applicable to a wide range of different autonomous vehicles, specifically working machines, operating between a staring location or starting position and target location or target position, respectively.

[0069] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the operation and control of an autonomous vehicle in a worksite. In FIG. 1 the autonomous vehicle is a working machine exemplified as a hauler and in FIG. 2 the autonomous vehicle is a working machine exemplified as an excavator. In FIG. 3, a method for controlling an autonomous vehicle in a worksite is described with reference to a flow chart.

[0070] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a worksite in the form of a quarry, in which a hauler 10 is operating. The number of haulers or other autonomous vehicles operating at the worksite is exemplifying. It should be realized that there may be more haulers or other autonomous vehicles operating at the worksite. At least some of the haulers or other autonomous vehicles may be members of a common collaborative group, i.e. a group of autonomous vehicles collaborating in performing a specific task.

[0071] The hauler 10 in FIG. 1 is controlled to operate according to a predetermined trajectory including at least a set path 20 and a set speed. The set speed may vary along the set path 20. The hauler 10 is typically equipped with hardware and software resources 12, e.g. a memory, comprising the predetermined trajectory, or means for receiving instructions of operating according to the predetermined trajectory. For example, the memory may be configured to store historical data relating to a travelled path with associated travelled speed, here represented by the set path 20 as it is assumed that the hauler 10 at least once have been operated according to the predetermined trajectory, while recording and storing data on the memory. The hauler 10 further comprises a motor, such as an electric motor, for at least propelling the hauler 10, and at least one battery configured to supply energy to the motor. Moreover, the hauler 10 comprises auxiliary equipment configured to perform work, here in the form of a container 14 for carrying a load 16, and means for operating the container 14, typically tilting cylinders for tilting the container 16 in order to dump or discharge the load 16. The auxiliary equipment is preferably energised by the at least one battery. The hardware and software resources 12 of the hauler 10 may furthermore be configured to measure the energy usage of the battery as the hauler 10 operates (i.e. propels and/or performs work) in the worksite.

[0072] The set path 20 in FIG. 1 extends from a starting location 30, in which the hauler 10 may be stationed when being charged at a charging station 40, to a first target location 32 being a loading location 32 in which the hauler 10 receives a load 16 from a feeding crusher 42, further to a second target location 34 being an unloading location in which the hauler 10 unloads or discharges the load 16 at an unloading site 44, and a final location 36, here being the same as the starting location 30 where the hauler 10 may be stationed and/or charged. In the particular example in FIG. 1, the hauler 10 may initially begin at the starting location 30, and then directly move to the loading location 32 without passing the unloading location 34. After having received a load 16 at the loading location 32, the hauler typically operates between the loading location 32 and the unloading location 34, until further charging is needed, or another type of change in path is desired or need. Thus, the hauler 10 operates according to a work sequence, following the predetermined trajectory and the set path 20, here being the travelled distance from the staring location 30 to the final location 36. In the specific example of FIG. 1, the work sequence is a work cycle. It should be noted that during the work sequence, the hauler 10 needs not to stop at the starting location 30 or the final location 36, but may operate between the two target locations 32, 34 in order to repeatedly receiving a load and discharging the load as previously mentioned. Alternatively, the set path 20 of the predetermined trajectory neglects the charging station 40, and sets the first target location 30 at the feeding crusher 42 as “starting location” and the second target location 34 at the unloading site 44 as “target location”. In such embodiments, the set path may include a final location being the same as the staring location in order to operate the hauler 10 in a work cycle. According to at least one example embodiment, the hauler 10 comprises several predetermined trajectories of different working sequences, e.g. one related to charging the hauler 10, and one related to operating the hauler 10 between the feeding crusher 42 and the unloading site 44.

[0073] Thus, in the specific example of FIG. 1, the predetermined trajectory of the hauler 10 comprises the set path 20 by which the hauler 10 is propelled, and comprises the action of performing work, e.g. carrying a load between the first target location 32 and the second target location 34, as well as tilting the container 14 for discharging the load 16 at the second target location 34.

[0074] According to the method of the invention, the predetermined trajectory is subject to an added pre-defined variation to form a test trajectory, which is further described with reference to FIG. 3. The pre-defined variation may e.g. include a variation in set path 20 or set speed over at least a portion of the set path 20, compared to the predetermined trajectory.

[0075] In FIG. 1, the set path 22 of the test trajectory is indicated by a dashed line 22, extending from the first target location 32 at the feeding crusher 42 to the second target location 34 at the unloading site 44. Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates a first path 20 being the set path 20 of the predetermined trajectory, and a second path 22 being the set path 22 of the test trajectory. As shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the second path 22 is shorter than the first path 20. In more detail, the second path 22 is arranged to avoid the uphill path-portion 38 of the first path 20, and to in a more direct manner reach the unloading site 44 (the uphill portion 38 is indicated with a sloped surface in a partly perspective view in FIG. 1). Hereby, energy usage of the working sequence of the test trajectory and the second path 22 may be decrease compared to operating the hauler 10 according to the predetermined trajectory, as a result of the relatively shorter path, and the avoidance of the uphill path-portion 38. In the example of FIG. 1, the pre-defined variation for forming the test trajectory also includes a variation in the action of performing work as the load carrying distance of the hauler 10 of the second path 22 is shorter compared to the load carrying distance of the hauler 10 of the first path 20.

[0076] Moreover, the second path 22 is not drawn via the charging station 40, and does not reach the same elevation as compared to the first path 20 (the high elevation of the first path 20 may e.g. facilitate discharge of the load at the unloading site 44). However, to operate the hauler 10 along the second path 22 may still be beneficial, at least for a time until discharge of load at the unloading site 44 need to be carried out from an increased elevation (as provided by the first path 20) or when the hauler 10 needs to be charge at the charging station 40. According to another example embodiment, the pre-defined variation is a variation of the set speed, e.g. prior to the uphill path-portion 38. In such example, the set path of the test trajectory will be the same as the set path 20 of the predetermined trajectory, but the trajectories will differ as the set speed of a least a portion of the set path 20 differ. The criteria for choosing to operate the hauler 10 according to the predetermined trajectory or the test trajectory is further described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0077] FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment in which the autonomous vehicle 110 is at a standstill, but nevertheless is controlled according to the method of the invention. In FIG. 2, the autonomous vehicle is an excavator 110 comprising auxiliary equipment 112 such as a bucket 114, and a boom 116. The excavator 110 may be correspondingly equipped with regards to carrying out the method of the invention as the hauler 10 in FIG. 1. Thus, the excavator 110 may comprise hardware and software resources, such as e.g. a memory, and at least one battery and motor for propelling the excavator, as well as for energizing the action of performing work by the auxiliary equipment 112.

[0078] The excavator 110 in FIG. 2 is controlled to be operated according to a predetermined trajectory including at least a set path 120 and a set speed. Compared to the set path 20 described with reference to FIG. 1, the autonomous vehicle of FIG. 2 is not propelled along the set path 120, but instead the set path 120 describes the distance travelled by moving the auxiliary equipment 112, i.e. here the boom 116 and the bucket 114.

[0079] The set path 120 in FIG. 2 extends from a starting position 130, in which the auxiliary equipment 112 is arranged such that the bucket 114 may dig at a desired spot, to a target position 132, in which the excavator 110 discharges or dumps the load of the bucket 114. Subsequently, the auxiliary equipment 112 may be moved to a final position, e.g. by being returned to the starting position 130. Thus, the excavator 110 operates according to a work sequence, following the predetermined trajectory and the set path 120, here being the travelled distance from the staring position 130 to the target position 132. Additionally, or alternately the work sequence of the excavator 110 includes propelling the excavator 110 from standstill (i.e. representing a starting location) to a target location. For example, the starting position 130 in which the bucket 114 dig at the desired spot may be located at the current standstill location, wherein the target position 132 in which the excavator 110 discharges or dumps the load of the bucket 114, may be located at the target location. Thus, in the specific example of FIG. 2, the predetermined trajectory of the excavator 110 comprises the set path 120 by which the auxiliary equipment 112 is moved, and may additionally comprise the movement of the excavator 110 itself as it is moved from standstill to a target location.

[0080] Corresponding to the hauler 10 in FIG. 1, the predetermined trajectory of the excavator 110 is subject to an added pre-defined variation to form a test trajectory. The pre-defined variation may e.g. include a variation in set path 120 or set speed over at least a portion of the set path 120, compared to the predetermined trajectory. The criteria for choosing to operate the excavator 110 according to the predetermined trajectory or the test trajectory is further described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0081] FIG. 3 is a flow chart describing the steps in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The method described in FIG. 3 may be used in accordance with the hauler 10 of FIG. 1 and/or the excavator 110 of FIG. 2. Preferably, at least some of the steps of the method is provided by a computer program, or computer readable medium carrying a computer program. The computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of the method described with reference to FIG. 3, when the program is run on a computer, e.g. a hardware resource of the autonomous vehicle.

[0082] In step 550 a predetermined trajectory of a work sequence of the autonomous vehicle is received. The predetermined trajectory includes at least a set path and a set speed. Example of such predetermined trajectories with work sequences are provided in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Moreover, the predetermined trajectory may comprise the action of performing work of the auxiliary equipment of the autonomous vehicle.

[0083] In step 552, a pre-defined variation is added to the predetermined trajectory to form a test trajectory. The pre-defined variation includes at least a variation in set path or set speed. As already described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pre-defined variation may additionally include a variation in the action of performing work of the auxiliary equipment, or the path position of the action of performing work, e.g. the load carrying distance of the hauler 10 of FIG. 1. The pre-defined variation may comprise or consist of noise, or a step-change in set path and/or set speed. Additionally or alternatively, the pre-defined variation is bounded by safety parameters and vehicle limitations.

[0084] In step 554, the energy usage over the test trajectory and the predetermined trajectory is compared. Of course, the method may include implicit steps as determining the energy usage of the predetermined trajectory and/or the test trajectory, e.g. by calculating energy usage of the at least one battery of the autonomous vehicle.

[0085] In step 556, it is determined whether or not the compared energy usage achieves a pre-set criteria. The pre-set criteria may e.g. be at least that the test trajectory has lower energy usage than the predetermined trajectory. The pre-set criteria may additionally or alternatively relate the compared energy usage with the elapsed time of the work sequence, elapsed time of the set path, minimum average speed, maximum allowed vibration, and/or desired battery usage.

[0086] In step 558, the test trajectory is set as a new set trajectory of the autonomous vehicle in response to determining that the compared energy usage achieves the pre-set criteria. If it is determined that the compared energy usage does not achieve the pre-set criteria, the predetermined trajectory is kept, or a new test trajectory is performed (according to step 552) with the subsequent steps.

[0087] It should be understood that the autonomous vehicle is typically equipped with hardware and software resources known to the skilled person, e.g. associated hardware resources such as e.g. processing units being provided in the form of one or more processors together with process software including computer program memory including computer program code for performing the method of the invention.

[0088] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.