Mirror object detection based on clustering of sensor data

    公开(公告)号:US12253607B1

    公开(公告)日:2025-03-18

    申请号:US17899963

    申请日:2022-08-31

    Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

    Abstract: This disclosure relates to detecting mirrored lidar returns and modifying lidar data using clustering techniques. In some examples, lidar data including a set of lidar points may be captured by a vehicle operating in an environment. The vehicle may combine the lidar data from numerous lidar devices to have a common frame of reference. In some examples, the vehicle may determine a cluster of the lidar points based on elevation data and azimuth data. The vehicle may compare range data of the clusters to determine whether such lidar points are indicative of a lidar return associated with an error (including multipath reflections). Based on determining that the difference in ranges of two lidar points is above a threshold value, the vehicle may determine how to use the data.

    LIDAR SENSOR DENOISING FOR ADVERSE CONDITIONS AND/OR NONSALIENT OBJECTS

    公开(公告)号:US20250076509A1

    公开(公告)日:2025-03-06

    申请号:US18240933

    申请日:2023-08-31

    Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

    Abstract: Particulate matter, such as fog, snow, rain, steam, vehicle exhaust, debris (plastic bags), etc. may cause one or more sensor types to generate false positive solid surface detections. In particular, various depth measurements may be impeded by particulate matter. Identifying false positive return(s) may comprise clustering lidar points, determining differences in range indicated by two different lidar devices having lidar points in the cluster, determining first differences that are more negative than a negative difference threshold and second differences that are more positive than a positive difference threshold, determining a first portion of lidar data in the cluster associated with the first differences and the second differences is associated with particulate matter or debris, and controlling a vehicle based at least in part on suppressing the first portion of the lidar data or indicating that the first portion of the lidar data is associated with particulate matter or debris.

    Techniques for identifying vehicle sensor degradation

    公开(公告)号:US12244788B1

    公开(公告)日:2025-03-04

    申请号:US17333706

    申请日:2021-05-28

    Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

    Abstract: Techniques for identifying when a sensor of a vehicle is obstructed. For instance, the sensor may include a light source (e.g., a light-emitting diode), a main sensor, a lens, a window, and/or a light sensor. The light source of the sensor may emit light, where the main sensor and/or the light sensor generate sensor data representing at least a portion of the light that is reflected. The vehicle may then determine a characteristic associated with the at least the portion of the light, such as an area of illumination or an intensity of the at least the portion of the light. Next, the vehicle may compare the characteristic to a threshold in order to determine whether the characteristic satisfies the threshold. Based on the determination, the vehicle may determine whether the sensor is obstructed, such as by a substance being located on the lens and/or the window.

    Lidar obstruction detection
    6.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US12235396B1

    公开(公告)日:2025-02-25

    申请号:US17551078

    申请日:2021-12-14

    Applicant: Zoox, Inc.

    Abstract: Techniques for detecting an obstruction associated with a lidar sensor are discussed herein. For example, a computing device can implement an obstruction detection component to detect rain, mud, dirt, dust, snow, ice, animal droppings, etc., on and/or near an outer surface of the lidar sensor. The obstruction detection component can apply one or more heuristics and/or models to the lidar data and/or compare pulse information associated with the lidar data to a threshold to determine a size, a type, or a location of an obstruction blocking a lidar beam.

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