Renault has been granted a patent for an autonomous driving control method that allows a host vehicle to travel through toll plazas efficiently. The method involves setting target passage gates for the vehicle, determining traffic congestion near the toll plaza, and using preceding vehicles as follow targets when congestion is present. This technology aims to improve the autonomous driving experience and optimize travel routes. GlobalData’s report on Renault gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Renault, battery management systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. Renault's grant share as of June 2023 was 1%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Autonomous driving control method for following a preceding vehicle
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11685404B2) describes an autonomous driving control method and system for a host vehicle. The method involves setting target passage gates at a toll plaza, determining traffic congestion near the toll plaza, and executing autonomous driving control based on the presence or absence of preceding vehicles with matching passage gates.
The autonomous driving control method begins by setting one or more target passage gates at a toll plaza for the host vehicle to pass through while traveling along a target travel route. The system then determines whether there is traffic congestion near the toll plaza. If there is no congestion, the host vehicle continues to travel along the target route autonomously. However, if there is congestion and a preceding vehicle with a matching passage gate is present, the host vehicle carries out following travel using the preceding vehicle as a follow target.
In the case of congestion and multiple preceding vehicles with matching passage gates, the system calculates the degree of certainty that each vehicle will pass through the predicted passage gate. The vehicle with the highest degree of certainty is selected as the follow target for the host vehicle until it passes through the target passage gate.
The method also includes a reset condition for the follow target. If the travel state of the preceding vehicle deviates from the target travel route by a prescribed amount or more, the system performs the process of obtaining the predicted passage gate and carrying out the following travel again with respect to the follow target.
The autonomous driving control system comprises a controller that executes the autonomous driving control based on information about the surroundings and travel of the host vehicle. The controller includes various units such as a target passage gate setting unit, a predicted passage gate determination unit, a preceding vehicle presence/absence determination unit, a following travel control unit, and a traffic congestion determination unit.
Overall, this patent presents an autonomous driving control method and system that effectively handles traffic congestion at toll plazas by setting target passage gates and utilizing preceding vehicles as follow targets. The system also includes mechanisms for selecting the most suitable follow target and resetting the follow target if necessary.
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