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NvidiaPatent applicationCars & transportInterest 6/10

Nvidia patents map method to help self-driving cars see blind spots

Nvidia describes a method for creating a 2D map of an environment to help autonomous systems identify areas they cannot see. The system uses data from cameras and radar to trace imaginary lines, or rays, across the map to find gaps in visibility. It then connects these points to form shapes that highlight blind spots, allowing the vehicle to adjust its driving plan.

Why it mattersThis technology could improve the safety of self-driving cars by helping them recognize when their view is blocked, such as by a large truck, and react accordingly.

In the filing’s own words

In various examples, occlusion detection using occupancy maps for autonomous and/or semi-autonomous systems and applications is described herein. Systems and methods are disclosed that generate a two-dimensional (2D) occupancy map—such as a 2D occupancy grid—of an environment and then use ray tracing with regard to the 2D occupancy map to identify one or more occluded areas of the environment. In some examples, the 2D occupancy map may be generated using 3D occupancy detections which are determined using the fused image data and RADAR data. Additionally, the occluded area(s) of the environment may be identified by connecting points associated with the ray tracing to generate a polygon (and/or any other shape) indicating an area of the environment that is not occluded. In some examples, the systems and methods may generate a map—such as an occlusion map—indicating the occluded area(s) of the environment.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: generating, based at least on a three-dimensional (3D) occupancy map associated with an environment, a two-dimensional (2D) occupancy map associated with the environment; determining, based at least on projecting rays with regard to the 2D occupancy map, points within the 2D occupancy map that are associated with occupied locations within the environment; generating a polygon based least on connecting the points within the 2D occupancy map; determining one or more occluded areas of the environment based at least on the polygon; and causing, based at least on the one or more occluded areas, a machine to perform one or more planning, control, or navigation operations.

Facts

Company
Nvidia (NVIDIA Corporation)
Official title
OCCLUSION DETECTION FOR AUTONOMOUS AND SEMI-AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS
Publication number
US20260278990A1
Application number
19342254
Filed
Sep 26, 2025
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
9
Claims
20

Classified under

G06V 10/26 Physics & computingG01C 21/3811 Physics & computingG01C 21/3841 Physics & computingG06V 10/806 Physics & computingG06V 10/82 Physics & computingG06V 20/58 Physics & computing
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.