Performing autonomous path navigation using deep neural networks

Abstract

A method, computer readable medium, and system are disclosed for performing autonomous path navigation using deep neural networks. The method includes the steps of receiving image data at a deep neural network (DNN), determining, by the DNN, both an orientation of a vehicle with respect to a path and a lateral position of the vehicle with respect to the path, utilizing the image data, and controlling a location of the vehicle, utilizing the orientation of the vehicle with respect to the path and the lateral position of the vehicle with respect to the path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 calculating based, at least in part, on one or more neural networks, a lateral position of a vehicle with respect to a path.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 using the lateral position to identify a location of the vehicle.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 controlling the vehicle by positioning the vehicle to the identified location based, at least in part, on steering directions received from a controller, wherein the controller uses the lateral position to generate steering directions.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving image data, in real-time, from one or more imaging devices; and   using the image data, at the one or more neural networks, to calculate the lateral position of the vehicle with respect to the path.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is an amphibious vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more neural networks comprise a deep neural network (DNN). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending image data, received at the vehicle, to a remote location; and   obtaining, from the remote location using the one or more neural networks to process the image data, the lateral position of the vehicle with respect to the path.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more neural networks, at the remote location, further calculate a plurality of lateral offsets with respect to a path center. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 one or more processors to train one or more neural networks to calculate a lateral position of a vehicle with respect to a path.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are further to:
 train the one or more neural networks using one or more received images; and   wherein the one or more received images comprise one or more labels indicating one or more positions.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are further to train the one or more neural networks to perform object detection based on the one or more received images. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are further to send object data to a controller to calculate a size of an object in the one or more received images. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are further to train the one or more neural networks to perform obstacle detection based on the one or more received images. 
     
     
         14 . A processor, comprising: one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs) to calculate based, at least in part, on one or more neural networks, a lateral position of a vehicle with respect to a path. 
     
     
         15 . The processor of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more ALUs are further to obtain a command to adjust the vehicle to a location based on the calculated lateral position. 
     
     
         16 . The processor of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more ALUs are further to:
 receive an image from one or more infrared imaging devices; and   use information from the image to calculate the lateral position of the vehicle with respect to the path.   
     
     
         17 . The processor of  claim 14 , wherein the lateral position of the vehicle with respect to the path comprises information indicating a direction the vehicle has shifted with respect to the path. 
     
     
         18 . The processor of  claim 14 , wherein the calculated lateral position of the vehicle with respect to the path is represented numerically using at least three numbers. 
     
     
         19 . The processor of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more ALUs are further to:
 convert the lateral position of the vehicle, at a controller, to steering instructions; and   send the steering instructions to vehicle.   
     
     
         20 . The processor of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more ALUs are further to convert the steering instructions to a set of instructions executable by the vehicle.