Probabilistic navigation system and method

1. A probabilistic navigation method, comprising:

obtaining a map of an environment comprising a plurality of first objects each associated with a probability model, the environment comprising a metropolitan area, and the plurality of first objects including a first static object of the metropolitan area and a first dynamic object of the metropolitan area, the probability model at least describing probability fields of a second object colliding with each of the plurality of first objects, the probability fields decaying away from one or more physical boundaries of each of the plurality of first objects, the density and shape of each the probability fields being based on one or more physical properties of a corresponding first object of the plurality of first objects, the second object comprising an autonomous vehicle;

obtaining one or more global factors, the one or more global factors including a global weather condition;

obtaining one or more local factors, the one or more local factors including a local road condition, the one or more local factors being captured by one or more sensors disposed on the second object;

updating the probability fields of the probability models based on the one or more global factors and the one or more local factors, wherein the global factors relatively apply to all of the first objects, and the local factors apply to a portion of the first objects, wherein at least a first global factor has a first degree of influence for the first static object and the first global factor has a second degree of influence for the first dynamic object, the first degree of influence being different from the second degree of influence, the updating including adjusting a rate of decay for at least one of the probability fields of a corresponding probability of the plurality of probability models; and

determining a navigation for the second object through at least a part of the environment based at least on minimizing a total collision probability of the second object with the plurality of first objects along the navigation according to the updated probability models;

autonomously causing, in response to determining the navigation, the navigation of the second object through at least the part of the environment.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the static first objects are substantially stationary with respect to ground; and

the dynamic first objects are movable with respect to ground.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the global factors further comprise at least one of global traffic condition, season, time, or geographic location of the environment; and

the local factors further comprise at least one of: local event, local traffic condition, or one or more of the first objects along the navigation.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the local factors further comprises using one or more sensors disposed along a path of the navigation to monitor and dynamically update the local factors.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the total collision probability with the first objects along the navigation comprises a summation of probabilities of colliding with the first objects along the navigation.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the navigation for the second object through at least a part of the environment based at least on minimizing the total collision probability with the first objects along the navigation according to the updated probability models comprises:

determining the navigation for the second object through at least a part of the environment based at least on (1) minimizing the total collision probability with the first objects along the navigation according to the updated probability models and (2) satisfying one or more constraints comprising at least one of: minimizing a trip time, minimizing a trip distance, minimizing a trip cost, limiting energy consumption, or fulfilling a user request.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling the second object to move according to the determined navigation, wherein the navigation comprises at least one of a route, a moving speed, or a moving direction.

8. A probabilistic navigation system, comprising

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform a probabilistic navigation method, the method comprising:

obtaining a map of an environment comprising a plurality of first objects each associated with a probability model, the environment comprising a metropolitan area, and the plurality of first objects including a first static object of the metropolitan area and a first dynamic object of the metropolitan area, the probability model at least describing probability fields of a second object colliding with each of the plurality of first objects, the probability fields decaying away from one or more physical boundaries of each of the plurality of first objects, the density and shape of each the probability fields being based on one or more physical properties of a corresponding first object of the plurality of first objects, the second object comprising an autonomous vehicle;

obtaining one or more global factors, the one or more global factors including a global weather condition;

obtaining one or more local factors, the one or more local factors including a local road condition, the one or more local factors being captured by one or more sensors disposed on the second object;

updating the probability fields of the probability models based on the one or more global factors and the one or more local factors, wherein the global factors relatively apply to all of the first objects, and the local factors apply to a portion of the first objects, wherein at least a first global factor has a first degree of influence for the first static object and the first global factor has a second degree of influence for the first dynamic object, the first degree of influence being different from the second degree of influence, the updating including adjusting a rate of decay for at least one of the probability fields of a corresponding probability of the plurality of probability models; and

determining a navigation for the second object through at least a part of the environment based at least on minimizing a total collision probability of the second object with the plurality of first objects along the navigation according to the updated probability models;

autonomously causing, in response to determining the navigation, the navigation of the second object through at least the part of the environment.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein:

the static first objects are substantially stationary with respect to ground; and

the dynamic first objects are movable with respect to ground.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein:

the global factors further comprise at least one of global traffic condition, season, time, or geographic location of the environment; and

the local factors further comprise at least one of: local event, local traffic condition, or one or more of the first objects along the navigation.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein obtaining the local factors further comprises using one or more sensors disposed along a path of the navigation to monitor and dynamically update the local factors.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the total collision probability with the first objects along the navigation comprises a summation of probabilities of colliding with the first objects along the navigation.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein determining the navigation for the second object through at least a part of the environment based at least on minimizing the total collision probability with the first objects along the navigation according to the updated probability models comprises:

determining the navigation for the second object through at least a part of the environment based at least on (1) minimizing the total collision probability with the first objects along the navigation according to the updated probability models and (2) satisfying one or more constraints comprising at least one of: minimizing a trip time, minimizing a trip distance, minimizing a trip cost, limiting energy consumption, or fulfilling a user request.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:

controlling the second object to move according to the determined navigation, wherein the navigation comprises at least one of a route, a moving speed, or a moving direction.