IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,241,746
Granted Patent B2
US 12,241,746 · App. 16/872,930 · Granted Mar 4, 2025

Systems and methods for automatically generating map validation tests

Inventor: Chien-Liang Fok (Belmont, MA)
Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
G01C21/32G01C21/3664G01C21/3691G06F30/20G06Q10/06395G06Q10/067G06Q50/26G06Q50/40G06V20/588
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,241,746
App. No.
16/872,930
Granted
Mar 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for validating a map via automatic test generation for multiple test route subsections. Autonomous vehicles required accurate maps. As such, new maps may be added and/or maps map be updated frequently. Verifying these maps requires testing. Maps may be validated via automatic test generation by obtaining route information identifying a route in the map for an autonomous vehicle. The route may be segmented into multiple test route subsections. Features corresponding to one or more of the test route subsections may be identified. One or more validation tests corresponding to the test route subsections may be generated based on a simulated autonomous vehicle traversing the one or more road features. For example, multiple validation tests for corresponding test route subsections may be generated and executed in parallel.

Claims (45)

1. A system for validating a map, the system comprising:

one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, configure the system to:

obtain route information identifying a route in the map for an autonomous vehicle;

identify a road feature in the route;

segment the route into multiple test route subsections according to the road feature;

automatically generate one or more validation tests corresponding to at least one of the multiple test route subsections based on a simulated autonomous vehicle traversing the road feature;

execute the one or more validation tests of the autonomous vehicle traversing the road feature to analyze traversability of the road feature by the autonomous vehicle; and

upon detecting a road feature is not traversable, modify software of the autonomous vehicle to achieve traversability of the road feature.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the multiple test route subsections are segmented based on way points.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more physical processors are further programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, configure the system to receive user input defining the way points.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more physical processors are further programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, configure the system to determine one or more of the way points based on the road feature.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more physical processors are further programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, configure the system to:

automatically generate multiple validation tests for different ones of the multiple test route subsections; and

execute the multiple validation tests in parallel over the different ones of the multiple test route subsections.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the road feature includes an intersection, a lane merge, a lane split, or a cross walk.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more physical processors are further programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, configure the system to:

determine one or more results of the one or more validation tests, wherein each result may comprise a pass or a fail; and

output the results.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the multiple test route subsections are segmented based on way points, and wherein the output may comprise:

modifying at least one of the map, the one or more test route subsections, and one or more of the way points according to the one or more results.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more physical processors are further programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, configure the system to:

modify an autonomous software based on the one or more results of the one or more validation tests.

10. A method for validating a map, the method being implemented in a computer system having one or more physical processors programmed with computer program instructions that, when executed by the one or more physical processors, cause the computer system to perform the method, the method comprising:

obtaining route information identifying a route in the map for an autonomous vehicle;

identifying a road feature in the route;

segmenting the route into multiple test route subsections according to the road feature;

automatically generating one or more validation tests corresponding to at least one of the multiple test route subsections based on a simulated autonomous vehicle traversing the road feature;

executing the one or more validation tests of the autonomous vehicle traversing the road feature to analyze traversability of the road feature by the autonomous vehicle; and

upon detecting a road feature is not traversable, modifying software of the autonomous vehicle to achieve traversability of the road feature.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the multiple test route subsections are segmented based on way points.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises receiving user input defining the way points.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises determining one or more of the way points based on the road feature.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein multiple ones of the validation tests are generated in parallel over different ones of the multiple test route subsections.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the road feature includes an intersection, a lane merge, a lane split, or a cross walk.

16. A non-transitory computer readable media including instructions for validating a map that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

obtain route information identifying a route in the map for an autonomous vehicle;

identify a road feature in the route;

segment the route into multiple test route subsections according to the road feature;

automatically generate one or more validation tests corresponding to at least one of the multiple test route subsections based on a simulated autonomous vehicle traversing the road feature;

execute the one or more validation tests of the autonomous vehicle traversing the road feature to analyze traversability of the road feature by the autonomous vehicle; and

upon detecting a road feature is not traversable, modify software of the autonomous vehicle to achieve traversability of the road feature.

17. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 16 , wherein the multiple test route subsections are segmented based on way points.

18. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 17 , further including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive user input defining the way points.

19. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 17 , further including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine one or more of the way points based on the road feature.

20. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 16 , wherein multiple ones of the validation tests are generated in parallel over different ones of the multiple test route subsections.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2025
From: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 071027/0618 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2020
From: FOK, CHIEN-LIANG
To: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 052639/0131 →
Continuity (1)
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