09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Downloadable computer software, namely programs using artificial intelligence (AI), for use in operating autonomous vehicles; Apparatus, namely computer hardware, for autonomous vehicles operated using artificial intelligence (AI); Apparatus, namely computer hardware, for use in operating autonomous vehicles using artificial intelligence (AI); Downloadable computer software, namely programs using artificial intelligence (AI), for use in operating autonomous vehicles that operate on roads; Downloadable computer software, namely programs using artificial intelligence (AI), for use in operating autonomous vehicles that transport passengers Robotic transport land vehicles for transporting passengers that are operated using autonomy algorithms; Land vehicles for transporting people that operate using autonomy algorithms; Land vehicles for transporting passengers that are operated using autonomy algorithms; Robotic land vehicles for transporting people that are operated using autonomy algorithms Passenger transportation services; Goods delivery services; Passenger transportation services using vehicles controlled using autonomy algorithms; Goods delivery services using vehicles operating using autonomy algorithms; Transportation services using vehicles controlled using autonomy algorithms; Transportation services provided by vehicles operating using autonomy algorithms Platform as a Service (PAAS) featuring computer software platforms, namely platforms which provide recorded software programs using artificial intelligence (AI) for controlling vehicles; Platform as a Service (PAAS) featuring computer software platforms, namely platforms which provide recorded software programs using artificial intelligence (AI) to control, autonomous vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for providing autonomy functionality in the field of vehicles; Development of computer hardware for providing autonomy functionality in the field of vehicles; Development of software in the field of autonomous vehicles; Providing online non-downloadable computer software platform for providing autonomy capabilities to enable the control and operation of a vehicle
According to one aspect, methods to validate an autonomy system using scenes of various complexities are provided. A computing device obtains a plurality of scenes. Each of the plurality of scenes represents an environment in which a vehicle is driven for a predetermined time. The computing device determines a complexity of each of the plurality of scenes based on characteristics of a respective scene and at least one maneuver required from an autonomous driving system to drive the vehicle through the respective scene without a collision. The computing device calculates a complexity score for each of the plurality of scenes based on the complexity determined for the respective scene and validates the autonomous driving system for driving the vehicle using a subset of the plurality of scenes selected based on the complexity score.
An autonomous vehicle can include multiple low voltage power domains. Each low voltage power domain can comprise a low voltage power distribution unit (LVPDU). An LVPDU can include a failsafe switch that can selectively couple or de-couple the low voltage power domain from a shared backup low voltage power source, which can be configured to concurrently supply backup power multiple low voltage power domains or LVPDUs. A first LVPDU of a first low voltage power domain can generate a control signal to control the failsafe switch of a second LVPDU of the second low voltage power domain to disconnect the second low voltage power domain from the shared low voltage backup power source, and vice versa.
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
B60W 10/30 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
4.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN ODOMETER FOR AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining sensor data from at least one encoder, the at least one sensor being positioned on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes an odometer arrangement and a memory, and processing the sensor data using the odometer arrangement. Processing the sensor data includes deriving odometer data from the sensor data, the odometer data being arranged to indicate a first distance travelled by the vehicle. The method also includes storing the odometer data in a memory of the vehicle, and providing the odometer data to an external storage.
G07C 5/02 - Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only
G01C 22/00 - Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers or using pedometers
5.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MAPS FOR USE WITH AUTONOMY SYSTEMS
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors onboard a vehicle, and obtaining prior map data from a server that is offboard with respect to the vehicle. The method also includes processing the sensor data using a first arrangement onboard the vehicle to generate processed sensor data, and generating an inferred context map using a map prediction arrangement located onboard the vehicle, wherein generating the inferred context map includes processing the processed sensor data and the prior map data using the map prediction arrangement.
According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a first set of sensors, a second set of sensors, a sensor data aggregator that includes a first assembly and a second assembly, and a computing system. The first assembly is configured to obtain and to process a first set of sensor data from the first set of sensors, and the second assembly is configured to obtain and to process a second set of sensor data from the second set of sensors. The computing system is configured to obtain the first and second sets of sensor data processed by the sensor data aggregator, and to implement primary autonomy functionalities based on the first set of sensor data and the second set of sensor data, wherein the sensor data aggregator is configured to implement backup autonomy functionalities concurrently with the primary autonomy functionalities being implemented.
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
B60R 16/03 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems
G07C 5/02 - Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only
7.
Methods and apparatus for improving vehicle communication network bandwidth
According to one aspect, bandwidth associated with a vehicle communication network, such as a controller area network (CAN), is allocated by assigning priorities to systems in an autonomous vehicle which use the vehicle communication network to communicate with a vehicle control unit (VCU). Systems with high priority levels may exchange data or information with a VCU at substantially all times, while systems with lower priority levels may exchange data or information with the VCU substantially only when that data or information is requested or otherwise needed. A significant percentage of the bandwidth of the network may be allocated for the exchange of data between high priority systems and a VCU, while the remaining percentage of the bandwidth may be allocated for the exchange of data between lower priority systems and the VCU when needed. As a result, the bandwidth associated with the network may be used efficiently.
G07C 5/00 - Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
According to one aspect, a method of classifying packets includes obtaining at least a first packet on a traffic management arrangement, the traffic management arrangement being implemented on a vehicle, the vehicle including a modem arrangement that includes at least a first modem, wherein obtaining the first packet includes obtaining the first packet from a system onboard the vehicle. The method also includes classifying the first packet using the traffic management arrangement to create a first classified packet, identifying a first quality of service (QoS) tier of a plurality of QoS tiers for the first classified packet, providing the first classified packet with information that identifies the first QoS tier, and providing the first classified packet to the modem arrangement for transmission to a network based on the first QoS tier.
H04L 47/2441 - Traffic characterised by specific attributes, e.g. priority or QoS relying on flow classification, e.g. using integrated services [IntServ]
9.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO AN AUTONOMY SYSTEM USING A TELEOPERATIONS SYSTEM
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a first supervisory request at a teleoperations indirect control arrangement that is originated by a first vehicle that has an autonomy system. The method also includes identifying a first situation associated with the first supervisory request. A first mitigation for the first situation is identified, and it is determined whether the first mitigation includes providing a point-of-intent to the autonomy system. When the first mitigation includes providing the point-of-intent to the autonomy system, the point-of-intent is provided. In response to providing the point-of-intent, a first plurality of potential paths between a current location of the first vehicle and the point-of-intent is obtained. A first potential path of the first plurality of potential paths is selected by the teleoperations indirect control arrangement, and a first indication that the first vehicle is to use the first potential path is provided to the first vehicle.
According to one aspect, the routing of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be based at least in part upon an ability for a teleoperations system to safely take over the control and operation of the vehicle. A route that is to be driven or traversed by an autonomous vehicle may be created such that geographical areas in which there is substantially inadequate coverage by cellular and/or wireless networks are effectively avoided. By creating routes for an autonomous vehicle that substantially avoid areas of relatively poor cellular and/or wireless network coverage, the ability for the vehicle to safely travel between a source and a destination, even when under the control of a teleoperations system, may be enhanced.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a first supervisory request from a first vehicle. The first supervisory request is processed by a teleoperations monitor arrangement. The method includes determining a first priority for the first supervisory request. After determining the first priority, the first supervisory request is added to a queue according to the first priority. The queue includes at least a second supervisory request having a second priority. Finally, the method includes determining whether the first priority is higher than the second priority. When it is determined that the first priority is higher than the second priority, the first supervisory request is processed before the second supervisory request. The first supervisory request is obtained from the queue and processed by the teleoperations monitor arrangement. Processing the first supervisory request includes determining whether the first vehicle is to be remotely operated by the teleoperations operator arrangement.
G05D 1/227 - Handing over between remote control and on-board controlHanding over between remote control arrangements
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
According to one aspect, methods to select and implement a failover behavior based on situational awareness, when an autonomous vehicle enters a failover condition, are provided. Operation design domains, other users who share a road with the autonomous vehicle, and tailgaters may be considered when determining a deceleration profile, a trajectory length, and a trajectory type for the autonomous vehicle to follow when executing failover behavior. An autonomous driving system of an autonomous vehicle detects a failover event while the autonomous vehicle is traveling along a path and analyzes an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle to determine whether a tailgater is present behind the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous driving system generates a failover plan for performing a failover behavior based on the failover event and the environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle and engages the autonomous vehicle to implement the failover plan for performing the failover behavior.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Downloadable computer software, namely programs using artificial intelligence (AI), for use in operating autonomous vehicles; Apparatus, namely computer hardware, for autonomous vehicles operated using artificial intelligence (AI); Apparatus, namely computer hardware, for use in operating autonomous vehicles using artificial intelligence (AI); Downloadable computer software, namely programs using artificial intelligence (AI), for use in operating autonomous vehicles that operate on roads; Downloadable computer software, namely programs using artificial intelligence (AI), for use in operating autonomous vehicles that transport passengers Robotic transport land vehicles for transporting passengers that are operated using autonomy algorithms; Land vehicles for transporting people that operate using autonomy algorithms; Land vehicles for transporting passengers that are operated using autonomy algorithms; Robotic land vehicles for transporting people that are operated using autonomy algorithms Passenger transportation services; Goods delivery services; Passenger transportation services using vehicles controlled using autonomy algorithms; Goods delivery services using vehicles operating using autonomy algorithms; Transportation services using vehicles controlled using autonomy algorithms; Transportation services provided by vehicles operating using autonomy algorithms Platform as a Service (PAAS) featuring computer software platforms, namely platforms which provide recorded software programs using artificial intelligence (AI) for controlling vehicles; Platform as a Service (PAAS) featuring computer software platforms, namely platforms which provide recorded software programs using artificial intelligence (AI) to control autonomous vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software for providing autonomy functionality in the field of vehicles; Development of computer hardware for providing autonomy functionality in the field of vehicles; Development of software in the field of autonomous vehicles; Providing online non-downloadable computer software platform for providing autonomy capabilities to enable the control and operation of a vehicle
14.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ADDRESSING WORK ZONES DETECTED BY AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
According to one aspect, a method includes autonomously operating a vehicle along a first path, identifying a work zone, and determining whether the vehicle is able to continue operating along the first path after identifying the work zone. When it is determined that the vehicle is not able to continue operating along the first path, it is determined whether an autonomy system is able to identify a second path that routes around the work zone. When the autonomy system is able to identify the second path, the vehicle is autonomously operated along the second path. When the autonomy system is unable to identify the second path, the method includes requesting assistance from a teleoperations monitor arrangement. The vehicle is configured to obtain, from the teleoperations monitor arrangement, a waypoint or a first indication of a teleoperations operation arrangement assigned to remotely operate the vehicle around the work zone.
According to one aspect, a method includes determining when a vehicle is in a location that is suitable for providing status information on a human machine interface (HMI). The vehicle includes an autonomy system, a diagnostics system, a mode module, and the HMI which is arranged to provide a user interface. The method also includes determining the status information for the vehicle using the diagnostics system when it is determined that the vehicle is in the location that is suitable for providing the status information, and setting the HMI to a first mode using the mode module when it is determined that the vehicle is located in the location that is suitable for providing the status information. The status information is provided to the mode module after setting the HMI to the first mode. Finally, the method includes providing the status information to the HMI to be displayed.
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a chassis and a system configured to cause the vehicle to operate autonomously and carried on the chassis. The vehicle also includes a first compartment carried on the chassis, the first compartment having a first mechanism contained therein and configured to facilitate performing a first procedure. A second mechanism carried on the chassis is also included in the vehicle. The second mechanism is configured to support a telepresence session. In one embodiment, the first procedure is a first medical procedure, and first mechanism is configured to be remotely controlled to perform the first medical procedure.
G16H 40/67 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G16H 50/20 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data miningICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
G16H 80/00 - ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Downloadable software; application software; downloadable computer software; downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms used in the field of autonomous vehicles; non-downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms in the field of autonomous vehicles; apparatus for hosting or distributing algorithms, and processing results obtained from the algorithms, in the field of autonomous vehicles; downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms used in the field of teleoperations; downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms in the field of teleoperations; apparatus for hosting or distributing algorithms, and processing results obtained from the algorithms, in the field of teleoperations; hardware for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles; computer hardware for or providing teleoperations functionality for use with an autonomous vehicle; computer and scientific apparatus for providing teleoperations capabilities to vehicles; computer and scientific apparatus for providing teleoperations assistance in a system that enables the control and operation of vehicles; software for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; downloadable software for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; computer hardware for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; software for providing help to an autonomous vehicle; computer hardware for providing help to an autonomous vehicle; parts and fittings for all of the aforesaid goods. Robotic transport vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water; self-driving vehicles; robotic vehicles; robotic transport vehicles that are controlled using teleoperations; autonomous vehicles that operate using teleoperations; robotic transport vehicles that are assisted by teleoperations; autonomous vehicles that are assisted by teleoperations; parts and fittings for the aforesaid goods. Transport and delivery of goods; collection, storage, transportation, arranging of transportation and delivery of packets, packages, parcels, letters, messages, newspapers, periodical publications, freight and of goods; courier services; advice and proof of delivery services related to transportation services of goods; rental of vehicles; freight forwarding; warehousing; rental of warehouses; passenger transportation services; goods delivery services; passenger transportation services using autonomous vehicles; goods delivery services using autonomous vehicles; transportation services using vehicles controlled using teleoperations; transportation services provided by autonomous vehicles; transportation services using vehicles assisted by teleoperations; information, advice and consultancy services relating to all of the aforesaid. Non-downloadable software; software as a service [SaaS] services; platform as a service [PaaS] services; non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles; development of computer hardware for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles; development of software in the field of autonomous vehicles; non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations functionality for use with an autonomous vehicle; non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations functionality to monitor and to operate an autonomous vehicle; non-downloadable software for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; non-downloadable software for providing help to an autonomous vehicle; information, advice and consultancy services relating to all of the aforesaid.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing providing programs using artificial intelligence for use in controlling autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Apparatus for providing programs using artificial intelligence for use in controlling autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices and for analyzing results obtained from the programs using artificial intelligence for use in controlling vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Apparatus for providing Platform as a Service (PAAS) including computer software platforms for providing programs using artificial intelligence to control vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices and analyzing results obtained from the programs using artificial intelligence to control vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices Robotic transport vehicles that are controlled using artificial intelligence and do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices, namely, land vehicles; Autonomous vehicles that operate using artificial intelligence and do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices, namely land vehicles Passenger transportation services, namely, taxi transport services and shuttle transport services; Goods delivery services, namely, package pick-up and delivery services, food pick-up and delivery services, overnight delivery services, and transportation of goods; Passenger transportation services using autonomous vehicles, namely, self-driving taxi transport services and self-driving shuttle transport services; Goods delivery services using autonomous vehicles, namely, package pick-up and delivery services, food pick-up and delivery services, overnight delivery services, and transportation of goods; Transportation services using vehicles controlled using artificial intelligence, namely, taxi transport services and shuttle transport services; Transportation services provided by autonomous vehicles, namely, self-driving taxi transport services and self-driving shuttle transport services Platform as a Service (PAAS) including computer software platforms for providing programs using artificial intelligence for use in controlling vehicles and analyzing results obtained from the programs using artificial intelligence, in the field of autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Platform as a Service (PAAS) including computer software platforms providing programs using artificial intelligence for use in controlling vehicles and analyzing results obtained from the programs using artificial intelligence, in the field of vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Software for providing artificial intelligence functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Development of software in the field of autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Non-downloadable software for providing programs using artificial intelligence for controlling an autonomous vehicle that does not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Software platform for providing programs using artificial intelligence capabilities to enable the control and operation of vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Downloadable software; application software; downloadable computer software; downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms used in the field of autonomous vehicles; non-downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms in the field of autonomous vehicles; apparatus for hosting or distributing algorithms, and processing results obtained from the algorithms, in the field of autonomous vehicles; downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms used in the field of teleoperations; downloadable computer software for hosting or distributing algorithms in the field of teleoperations; apparatus for hosting or distributing algorithms, and processing results obtained from the algorithms, in the field of teleoperations; hardware for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles; computer hardware for or providing teleoperations functionality for use with an autonomous vehicle; computer and scientific apparatus for providing teleoperations capabilities to vehicles; computer and scientific apparatus for providing teleoperations assistance in a system that enables the control and operation of vehicles; software for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; downloadable software for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; computer hardware for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; software for providing help to an autonomous vehicle; computer hardware for providing help to an autonomous vehicle; parts and fittings for all of the aforesaid goods. Robotic transport vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water; self-driving vehicles; robotic vehicles; robotic transport vehicles that are controlled using teleoperations; autonomous vehicles that operate using teleoperations; robotic transport vehicles that are assisted by teleoperations; autonomous vehicles that are assisted by teleoperations; parts and fittings for the aforesaid goods. Transport and delivery of goods; collection, storage, transportation, arranging of transportation and delivery of packets, packages, parcels, letters, messages, newspapers, periodical publications, freight and of goods; courier services; advice and proof of delivery services related to transportation services of goods; rental of vehicles; freight forwarding; warehousing; rental of warehouses; passenger transportation services; goods delivery services; passenger transportation services using autonomous vehicles; goods delivery services using autonomous vehicles; transportation services using vehicles controlled using teleoperations; transportation services provided by autonomous vehicles; transportation services using vehicles assisted by teleoperations; information, advice and consultancy services relating to all of the aforesaid. Non-downloadable software; software as a service [SaaS] services; platform as a service [PaaS] services; non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles; development of computer hardware for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles; development of software in the field of autonomous vehicles; non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations functionality for use with an autonomous vehicle; non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations functionality to monitor and to operate an autonomous vehicle; non-downloadable software for providing assistance to an autonomous vehicle; non-downloadable software for providing help to an autonomous vehicle; information, advice and consultancy services relating to all of the aforesaid.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Downloadable computer software for providing programs for remotely monitoring the performance of autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Apparatus for providing programs for the remote control and remote monitoring of autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices, and for processing results obtained from the programs, namely computer systems, remote control devices, and consoles; Downloadable computer software for providing programs using artificial intelligence for teleoperations to remotely control and to remotely monitor performance of vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Apparatus for providing programs for remotely operating vehicles and processing results obtained from the programs in the field of teleoperations, namely computer systems, remote control devices, and consoles for autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Downloadable software for remotely monitoring performance of an autonomous vehicle that does not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Computer hardware for remotely operating a vehicle which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Computer hardware for remotely monitoring performance of a vehicle; Downloadable software for providing help to an autonomous vehicle that does not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices by remotely controlling the autonomous vehicle; Downloadable software for providing help to a vehicle by remotely controlling the vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Computer hardware for providing help to an autonomous vehicle by remotely monitoring performance of the autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices Robotic transport land vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices and that are remotely controlled using teleoperations; Autonomous vehicles that operate using teleoperations, namely land vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices and that are assisted by teleoperations Passenger transportation services, namely, taxi transport services, shuttle transport services, excursion transport services, and traveler transport services; Goods delivery services, namely, package pick-up and delivery services, food pick-up and delivery services, overnight delivery services, and transportation of goods; Passenger transportation services using autonomous vehicles, namely, self-driving taxi transport, self-driving shuttle transport, transport for excursions, and transport of travelers; Transportation services using vehicles controlled using teleoperations, namely, taxi transport, shuttle transport, transport for excursions, and transport of travelers; Transportation services provided by autonomous vehicles, namely, taxi transport, shuttle transport, transport for excursions, and transport of travelers; Transportation services using vehicles assisted by teleoperations, namely, taxi transport, shuttle transport, transport for excursions, and transport of travelers Software for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Development of computer hardware for providing teleoperations functionality in the field of autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Development of software in the field of autonomous vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations functionality for use with an autonomous vehicle which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Software platform for providing teleoperations assistance to enable the control and operation of vehicles which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Software for providing teleoperations assistance to an autonomous vehicle which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Non-downloadable software for providing teleoperations assistance to an autonomous vehicle which do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Non-downloadable software for remotely monitoring an autonomous vehicle that does not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices
21.
Methods and apparatus for creating and utilizing snapshots of scenes
According to one aspect, data collected from various modules on an autonomous vehicle is synchronized, and snapshots of the synchronized data, referred to herein as ‘data snapshots’, are created. Contextual information associated with the data snapshots, e.g., indexes and/or metadata, is collected and/or derived, and the contextual information is stored along with the snapshots. The data snapshots may then be substantially searched, using the contextual information, to identify particular scenes for analysis. In addition to searching for particular scenes, series of scenes may be searched using the contextual information such that scenarios encountered by the autonomous vehicle over time may be identified.
According to one aspect, a method includes operating a vehicle in a first environment, the vehicle including a change detection system and at least one sensor configured to obtain data associated with the first environment, wherein operating the vehicle in the first environment includes obtaining the data associated with the first environment using the at least one sensor. The method also includes obtaining a context map associated with the first environment and comparing, using the change detection system, the data associated with the first environment and the context map to identify at least a first inconsistency between the data associated with the first environment and the context map. While the vehicle is operating, a resolution for the first inconsistency is determined, and the vehicle takes an action based on the resolution.
According to one aspect, a method includes propelling a vehicle to a location. The vehicle includes at least one compartment configured to contain at least one delivery item and at least one transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism arranged to be activated to cause the delivery item to be purged from the at least one compartment. The method also includes determining when the vehicle is authorized to deliver the delivery item at the location, aligning the vehicle with respect to a target at the location, opening a door to the at least one compartment, and activating the transfer mechanism after opening the door. Activating the transfer mechanism includes causing the transfer mechanism to purge the delivery item such that the delivery item is obtained by the target. The target is arranged to receive the delivery item when the delivery item is purged from the at least one compartment.
According to one aspect, a method includes identifying, using a vehicle control system (VCS) of a vehicle, an issue associated with the vehicle. A criticality level of the issue is determined using the VCS, and the VCS determines at least one action to perform based on the criticality level. Determining the at least one action to perform includes determining whether to accept a first trajectory update generated by the trajectory generation system. The method also includes performing the at least one action, wherein performing the at least one action includes updating the trajectory using the first trajectory update when it is determined that the first trajectory update is be accepted, and wherein performing the at least one action further includes declining the first trajectory update when it is determined that the first trajectory update is not to be accepted.
According to one aspect, methods to validate an autonomy system in conjunction with a teleoperations system are provided. A computing device obtains simulation data of an autonomous driving system of a vehicle. The simulation data includes first environment data representing an environment in which the vehicle is driven using the autonomous driving system. The computing device obtains teleoperations driving data of a teleoperations driving system by which the vehicle is remotely controlled with an aid of a human. The teleoperations driving data includes second environment data representing the environment in which the vehicle is driven using the teleoperations driving system. The computing device determines whether the autonomous driving system in conjunction with the teleoperations driving system meets a minimum deployment standard based on the simulation data and the teleoperations driving data.
G05D 1/225 - Remote-control arrangements operated by off-board computers
G05D 1/247 - Arrangements for determining position or orientation using signals provided by artificial sources external to the vehicle, e.g. navigation beacons
G05D 1/617 - Safety or protection, e.g. defining protection zones around obstacles or avoiding hazards
G06F 30/20 - Design optimisation, verification or simulation
G06F 111/02 - CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
Safety metrics and/or statistical system assurance of a particular package of autonomy driving software may be substantially measured using data collected from manually driving a vehicle in the real word, simulations of scenarios which may be faced by a vehicle in the real world, simulations executed with actual software and/or hardware on a vehicle, and/or end-to-end testing of a vehicle in a test environment. Safety metrics and performance of AV software and hardware may be further evaluated through vehicle-in-the-loop testing. During each test scenario, a corresponding set of simulated perception data may be injected to the systems of the autonomous vehicle to cause the autonomous vehicle to react and behave as if one or more simulated objects described by the set of simulated perception data were in the environment of the autonomous vehicle. Each test scenario may be triggered to be performed based on, for example, the autonomous vehicle's location within a real-world vehicle testing space.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a sensor assembly that includes at least a first camera and a second camera, and positioning the sensor assembly in an enclosure of a sensor testing system. The enclosure has a first enclosure target and a second enclosure target affixed thereon, and includes a sensor arrangement. The sensor testing assembly further includes a computing arrangement and a data acquisition arrangement, The method also includes performing a first test on the sensor assembly by providing commands to the sensor assembly using the computing arrangement, and monitoring the sensor assembly during the first test. Monitoring the sensor assembly includes obtaining data from the sensor assembly and/or the sensor arrangement, and providing the data to the data acquisition arrangement. Finally, the method includes processing the data, wherein processing the data includes determining whether the data indicates that the sensor assembly passes the first test.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a command on a vehicle, the command being arranged to identify a first action to be taken by the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is in a first vehicle state and the command has a first command state. The method also includes determining, on the vehicle, whether the first command state is consistent with the first vehicle state. When it is determined that the first command state is consistent with the first vehicle state, the method includes executing the first command. When it is determined that the first command state is not consistent with the first vehicle state, the method includes identifying the first command as an illegitimate command and ignoring the illegitimate command.
According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a body and a rapid deceleration system that is configured to decelerate the body traveling on a road surface. The rapid deceleration system includes at least a first rapid deceleration mechanism coupled to the body, the first rapid deceleration mechanism including a first anchor, a first slider, and a first energetics arrangement configured to propel the at first anchor from the body toward the road surface to decelerate the body, wherein the first slider moves along a first axis to dissipate energy when the first anchor is propelled toward the road surface along a second axis.
B60T 1/14 - Arrangements of braking elements, i.e. of those parts where braking effect occurs acting otherwise than by retarding wheels, e.g. jet- action directly on road
B60T 7/12 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Operational apparatus for autonomous vehicles, namely, computer hardware; Navigational apparatus for autonomous vehicles; Operational apparatus for robotic vehicles, namely, computer hardware; Navigational apparatus for robotic vehicles; Operational apparatus for vehicles, namely, computer hardware; Navigational apparatus for vehicles; Operational apparatus for vehicles, namely, computer hardware operated using artificial intelligence; Navigational apparatus for vehicles operated using artificial intelligence Self-driving delivery robots; Land vehicles; Land vehicles operated using artificial intelligence; Robotic land vehicles; Robotic transport vehicles; Autonomous self-driving transport vehicles; Autonomous land vehicles; Vehicles for transport and delivery of goods, namely, land vehicles; Vehicles for transport by land; Vehicles for delivery of goods by land; Self-driving delivery robots for transport; Self-driving delivery robots for delivery of goods; Self-driving delivery robots for transport by land; Self-driving delivery robots for delivery of goods by land; Robotic land transport vehicles; Land transport vehicles; Autonomous land transport vehicles Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for controlling robots; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for controlling robotic vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for controlling robotic apparatuses; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for communicating with robotic transport vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for communicating with robots; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for communicating with vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for operating robots; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for operating robotic vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for operating robotic transport vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for operating robotic apparatuses; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable computer software for operating vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable artificial intelligence software for autonomously operating vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable artificial intelligence software for controlling vehicles; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable artificial intelligence software for autonomously operating robotic apparatuses
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Robots for industrial use operating using artificial intelligence (AI), namely, robots for industrial use that are not used for agricultural purposes; industrial robots operating using artificial intelligence (AI) ), namely, industrial robots that are not used for agricultural purposes; vehicles not for transportation purposes operating using artificial intelligence (AI); household robots in the nature of robotic vacuum cleaners, robotic lawn mowers, cleaning and laundry robots with artificial intelligence, and robots for cooking Robots, namely, tactical robots, household robots in the nature of humanoid robots with artificial intelligence (AI) for use in household cleaning and laundry, tactical robots operating using artificial intelligence (AI), and household robots in the nature of humanoid robots operating using artificial intelligence (AI) for use in household cleaning, laundry, maintenance, and cooking; Robotic apparatuses, namely, tactical robot apparatuses, household robot apparatuses in the nature of humanoid robots with artificial intelligence (AI) for use in household cleaning and laundry, tactical robot apparatuses operating using artificial intelligence (AI), and household robot apparatuses in the nature of humanoid robots for use in household cleaning and laundry operating using artificial intelligence (AI); Robots operated using artificial intelligence, namely tactical robots and household robots in the nature of humanoid robots for use in household cleaning and laundry; Robots for consumer use, namely, household robots and household robots in the nature of humanoid robots for use in household cleaning, maintenance, laundry, and cooking operating using artificial intelligence (AI);Autonomous robots, namely, autonomous tactical robots, and autonomous household robots in the nature of humanoid robots with artificial intelligence for use in household cleaning and laundry; Operational control apparatus for autonomous vehicles, namely, computers that operate on an automobile using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a truck using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a van using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a transport vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI), and computers that operate a delivery vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI); Navigational apparatus for autonomous vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft, namely, sensor systems for use with an automobile, sensor systems for use with a truck, sensor systems for use with a van, sensor systems for use with a transport vehicle. and sensor systems for use with a delivery vehicle; Operational control apparatus for robotic vehicles, namely, computers that operate an automobile using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a truck using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a van using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a transport vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI), and computers that operate a delivery vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI); Navigational apparatus for robotic vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft, namely, sensor systems for use with a tactical robot; Operational control apparatus for vehicles, namely, computers that operate an automobile using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a truck using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a van using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a transport vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI), and computers that operate a delivery vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI); Navigational apparatus for vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft, namely, sensor systems for use with an automobile, sensor systems for use with a truck, sensor systems for use with a van, sensor systems for use with a transport vehicle, and sensor systems for use with a delivery vehicle; Operational control apparatus for vehicles operated using artificial, namely, computers that operate an automobile using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a truck using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a van using artificial intelligence (AI), computers that operate a transport vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI), and computers that operate a delivery vehicle using artificial intelligence (AI); Navigational apparatus for vehicles operated using artificial intelligence in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft, namely, sensor systems for use with an automobile, sensor systems for use with a truck, sensor systems for use with a van, sensor systems for use with a transport vehicle, and sensor systems for use with a delivery vehicle Vehicles, namely, automobiles, trucks, vans, transport vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft, and delivery vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft; Vehicles operated using artificial intelligence, namely, automobiles, trucks, vans, transport vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft, and delivery vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft; Robotic vehicles, automobiles, trucks, vans, transport vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft, and delivery vehicles in the nature of land vehicles, boats, ships, and aircraft,; Robotic transport vehicles; Autonomous transport vehicles, automobiles, trucks, vans, and delivery vehicles; Autonomous land vehicles; Robots for transportation, namely, self-driving transport vehicles and self-driving delivery vehicles; Self-driving delivery robots; Land vehicles; Land vehicles operated using artificial intelligence; Robotic land vehicles; Autonomous self-driving transport vehicles; Vehicles for transport and delivery of goods, namely, land vehicles; Land vehicles for transport by land; Land vehicles for delivery of goods by land; Robots for transport being robotic transport vehicles; Robots for delivery of goods being robotic transport vehicles; Robotic apparatus for transport by land; Robotic apparatus for delivery of goods by land; Robotic land transport vehicles; Land transport vehicles; Autonomous land transport vehicles Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for controlling a robotic apparatus, namely, a fully autonomous industrial robot, an autonomous household robot, and an autonomous vehicle; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for controlling autonomous robots that are not semi-autonomous mobile industrial robots for agricultural use; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for controlling robotic vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for controlling autonomous robotic apparatuses that are not semi-autonomous mobile industrial robots for agricultural use; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for communicating with robotic transport vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for communicating with autonomous robots that are not semi-autonomous mobile industrial robots for agricultural use; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for communicating with vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for operating autonomous robots that are not semi-autonomous mobile industrial robots for agricultural use; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for operating robotic vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for operating robotic transport vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for operating autonomous robotic apparatuses that are not semi-autonomous mobile industrial robots for agricultural use; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software for operating vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software using artificial intelligence for operating vehicles; Providing temporary use of online non-downloadable computer software using artificial intelligence for robotics, namely, controlling autonomous robots that are not semi-autonomous mobile industrial robots for agricultural use
32.
Framework for validating autonomy and teleoperations systems
According to one aspect, methods to validate an autonomy system in conjunction with a teleoperations system are provided. A computing device obtains simulation data of an autonomous driving system of a vehicle. The simulation data includes first environment data representing an environment in which the vehicle is driven using the autonomous driving system. The computing device obtains teleoperations driving data of a teleoperations driving system by which the vehicle is remotely controlled with an aid of a human. The teleoperations driving data includes second environment data representing the environment in which the vehicle is driven using the teleoperations driving system. The computing device determines whether the autonomous driving system in conjunction with the teleoperations driving system meets a minimum deployment standard based on the simulation data and the teleoperations driving data.
According to one aspect, a method is provided to determine whether an autonomous system is ready to be deployed or is otherwise ready for use, scene-based metrics, or metrics based on instances of scenarios. Scene-based metrics are mapped, or otherwise translated, to distance-based metrics such that substantially standard distance-based metrics may be used to gate the readiness of an autonomy system for deployment.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a request to remotely operate a robotic assistant, the robotic assistant including at least one sensor configured to collect data associated with an environment around the robotic assistant. The method also includes identifying a first teleoperations system to remotely operate the robotic assistant in response to the request, the first teleoperations system being one of a plurality of teleoperations systems, and assigning the first teleoperations system to remotely operate the robotic assistant. At least one privacy-related instruction is implemented with respect to the first teleoperations system.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining an input and identifying at least a first vehicle which is to be commanded to perform at least one diagnostics test. The method also includes providing a remote diagnostics command to the first vehicle, the remote diagnostics command configured to command the first vehicle to perform at least a first diagnostics test, wherein the first diagnostics test is performed by the first vehicle on at least a first system included on the first vehicle. The first vehicle is monitored during the first diagnostics test. Diagnostics data associated with the first diagnostics test is obtained from the first vehicle and processed to generate diagnostics for the first vehicle.
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
G07C 5/00 - Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a chassis, a propulsion system carried on the chassis and configured to propel the vehicle; a control system supported by the chassis, at least one compartment supported by the chassis, and at least one configurable divider arrangement contained within the at least one compartment. The control system is configured to enable the vehicle to operate autonomously. The at least one configurable divider arrangement is arranged to define at least a first location, wherein the at least one configurable divider arrangement includes a sensor system and a notification system, the sensor system being arranged to detect a presence of an item at the first location, the notification system being arranged to provide an indication relating to the first location.
According to one aspect, a method includes positioning a lidar on a platform, measuring at least a first data point using the lidar, measuring at last a second data point using the lidar, processing the at least first data point and the at least second data point to identify a first estimated location of the vertex, and determining whether the first estimated location of the vertex meets the specification, wherein when it is determined that the first estimated location of the vertex meets at least one specification associated with the lidar, the lidar is verified. The platform rotates about a first axis, wherein when the platform rotates about the first axis, the lidar rotates about the first axis. The data points measured with respect to a target, the target having at least a first edge, a second edge, and a vertex at which the first edge meets the second edge.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining an assembly, the assembly including at least a first assembly sensor and a second assembly sensor of a plurality of assembly sensors, and calibrating the first assembly sensor and the second assembly sensor. The method also includes calibrating the first assembly sensor and the second assembly sensor together, wherein calibrating the first assembly sensor and second assembly sensor together includes placing the assembly in at least a first pose relative to a plurality of calibration targets. The assembly is coupled on a vehicle, and the plurality of assembly sensors are calibrated after coupling the assembly on the vehicle. Calibrating the plurality of assembly sensors after installing the assembly on the vehicle includes causing the vehicle to move relative to the plurality of calibration targets and using the plurality of assembly sensors to make measurements using the plurality of calibration targets.
H04N 17/00 - Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
G06T 7/80 - Analysis of captured images to determine intrinsic or extrinsic camera parameters, i.e. camera calibration
G01C 21/28 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups specially adapted for navigation in a road network with correlation of data from several navigational instruments
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
40.
Methods and apparatus for providing components in an autonomous vehicle
According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a chassis, a propulsion system carried on the chassis, a control system carried on the chassis, and a components arrangement carried on the chassis. The propulsion system configured to propel the vehicle, and the control system is configured to enable the vehicle to operate autonomously. The components arrangement includes at least a frame, a panel having a surface, a wiper arrangement having at least one wiper, and a fluid distribution arrangement. The frame is configured to interface with the chassis and to support the panel, the wiper arrangement, and the fluid distribution arrangement. The fluid distribution arrangement is configured to dispense a fluid onto the surface and the wiper is configured to sweep over the surface.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Navigational apparatus for vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Operational apparatus for vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices, namely, computer hardware; Sensors for vehicles, namely, motion and acceleration sensors for vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Downloadable computer software for communicating with robotic transport vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Navigational instruments for robotic transport vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Operational apparatus for autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices namely, computer hardware; Navigational apparatus for autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Operational apparatus for robotic vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices, namely computer hardware; Navigational apparatus for robotic vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices Robotic transport vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Autonomous land transport vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable software for vehicle navigation of a vehicle that does not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Development of computer hardware in the field of autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Development of software in the field of autonomous vehicles that do not operate under cognitive control of neural-activated devices; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable software for operating an autonomous vehicle that does not operate under cognitive control of a neural-activated device; Providing temporary use of online, non-downloadable software for vehicle navigation of a vehicle that does not operate under cognitive control of a neural-activated device
43.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TELEOPERATIONS SUPPORT
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining, at a monitoring arrangement, a first supervisory request from a first vehicle, the first supervisory request arranged to indicate that the first vehicle has identified a first potential issue. The method also includes processing, at the monitoring arrangement, the first supervisory request, wherein processing the first supervisory request includes determining whether the first potential issue is to be mitigated. When it is determined that the first potential issue is to be mitigated, information is provided from the monitoring arrangement to a control arrangement, and the control arrangement takes control of the first vehicle based on the information.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining, at a monitoring arrangement, a first supervisory request from a first vehicle, the first supervisory request arranged to indicate that the first vehicle has identified a first potential issue. The method also includes processing, at the monitoring arrangement, the first supervisory request, wherein processing the first supervisory request includes determining whether the first potential issue is to be mitigated. When it is determined that the first potential issue is to be mitigated, information is provided from the monitoring arrangement to a control arrangement, and the control arrangement takes control of the first vehicle based on the information.
According to one aspect, a method includes identifying a first signal, which carries or otherwise includes data, to be provided to a system by a vehicle. The method includes determining a first amount of bandwidth, the first amount of bandwidth being associated with the signal, determining a second amount of bandwidth, the second amount of bandwidth being an available bandwidth associated with a plurality of modems included on the vehicle to enable the vehicle to communicate with the system, and dividing the first signal into a first plurality of portions based at least on the first amount of bandwidth and the second amount of bandwidth. The first plurality of portions is provided to the plurality of modems for transmission from the vehicle to the system, and is transmitted to the system using the plurality of modems and a plurality of channels associated with the plurality of modems.
H04W 4/46 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
H04L 5/00 - Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
H04W 4/38 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
H04W 4/44 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
According to one aspect, a thermal system of a vehicle which provides cooling to within the vehicle, e.g., within a driver and passenger carrying cabin or compartment, is effectively leveraged to provide cooling capabilities to autonomous vehicle systems. Some coolant flowing through a coolant loop included in the thermal system of a vehicle may be diverted to an offshoot loop which provides cooling to coolant included in a coolant loop configured to cool autonomous vehicle systems, e.g., a compute system that is part of an autonomous vehicle. The coolant from the thermal system of the vehicle may flow past coolant from the coolant loop configured to cool autonomous vehicle systems, and the cooled coolant from the coolant loop configured to cool the autonomous vehicle systems may flow near the autonomous vehicle systems to cool the autonomous vehicle systems.
According to one aspect, a method includes identifying a machine arranged to be monitored using teleoperations, and obtaining a first request from a first teleoperations arrangement to monitor the machine. The first teleoperations arrangement includes a first teleoperations equipment. The method also includes determining whether to accept the first request from the first teleoperations arrangement, wherein determining whether to accept the first request from the first teleoperations arrangement includes verifying that a first operator of the first teleoperations equipment is certified by the platform and verifying that the teleoperations equipment meets a standard. The first request is accepted when it is determined that the request is to be accepted, wherein accepting the first request includes assigning the first teleoperations arrangement to monitor the machine during a first shift. Finally, the method includes monitoring the first teleoperations arrangement and the machine during the first shift.
According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a first system that generates heat, and a cooling arrangement. The cooling arrangement cools the first system, and includes a coolant source and a distribution arrangement. The coolant source provides a coolant in a first state that is distributed by the distribution arrangement to absorb the heat. The cooling arrangement includes a control arrangement and a heating arrangement. The control arrangement maintains the coolant in the first state at least a set point, the set point being a temperature that is above a dew point, by determining when to activate the heating arrangement to warm the coolant in the first state and, when it is determined by the control arrangement that the heating arrangement is to be activated, activating the heating arrangement to warm the coolant in the first state to maintain the temperature of the coolant at the set point.
H01L 23/473 - Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids by flowing liquids
B60R 16/023 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
B60H 1/00 - Heating, cooling or ventilating devices
49.
Methods and apparatus for communicating using headlights of a vehicle
According to one aspect, headlights of a vehicle are used to communicate information that may be understood by a user or other person in the vicinity of the vehicle. A method includes operating a vehicle and determining a status of the vehicle. The vehicle has a park gear arranged to be engaged to cause the vehicle to be in a parked state, and the vehicle includes a first optical assembly that has a first optical arrangement and a first optical controller. The method also includes causing the first optical arrangement to visually communicate a first indication, the first indication being arranged to indicate the status of the vehicle.
B60Q 1/48 - Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for parking purposes
B60Q 1/26 - Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
B60Q 1/50 - Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
50.
SYSTEM AND MECHANISM FOR UPSELLING PRODUCTS ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
According to one aspect, a platform for providing at least one item to a customer is disclosed. The platform includes an autonomous, semi-autonomous, or fully autonomous vehicle that includes at least one compartment configured to contain a first item ordered by the customer and to contain a second item not ordered by the customer. The platform further includes an application including an ordering module configured to obtain an order from the customer that includes the first item, and a release detection module configured to determine when the first item has been removed from the at least one compartment and configured to determine when the second item has been removed from the at least one compartment. In one embodiment, the second item is predicted using a machine learning algorithm.
G06Q 30/06 - Buying, selling or leasing transactions
G06Q 20/40 - Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentialsReview and approval of payers, e.g. check of credit lines or negative lists
According to one aspect, a compartment on a vehicle such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous delivery vehicle may be provided with an interface arrangement configured to facilitate the coupling and uncoupling of compartment inserts. The interface arrangement may include mechanical, electrical, and data transmission features. Mechanical features of an interface arrangement may be configured to physically secure or hold a compartment insert in a desired position and/or orientation within a compartment, while electrical features may be configured to enable power to be provided to the compartment insert. Data transmission features may be configured to enable monitoring and control of features of the compartment insert. Different types of compartment inserts may be configured to mate with an interface arrangement, e.g., a substantially universal interface arrangement which effectively provides for interoperability of different compartment inserts, in a compartment of a vehicle.
B60P 1/64 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading the load supporting or containing element being readily removable
According to one aspect, an autonomous vehicle that includes a lidar unit collects lidar point cloud data that includes false returns or false positives, and characterizes the data associated with the false returns or false positives as drivable or not drivable. The false returns or false positives may be phantom points that are not associated with actual objects which may pose collision risks. Analyzing lidar point cloud data to characterize false returns or false positives as either drivable or not drivable enables an autonomous vehicle to operate efficiently by not having to avoid non-existent collision risks. False positives may be indicated when a wet or icy road surface acts as a mirror which reflects objects, and when precipitation such as raindrops appear as objects. Characterizing such false positives as drivable facilitates the efficient operation of an autonomous vehicle as the autonomous vehicle may drive over a mirror and/or through precipitation.
According to one aspect, routing of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be based at least in part upon the availability of particular geographical areas through which the vehicle may be routed. A geographical area may be defined, based on constraints such as road conditions, lane features, operational constraints, etc., such that at least one routing path between each of one or more sources and one or more destinations within the geographical area may be traversed by a vehicle. Constraints may be temporary and may be accounted for substantially in real-time when defining and/or updating a geographical area within which a vehicle is to operate. In some instances, an inclusion constraint can be defined based on a frequency of use of a given routing path associated with one or more points of interest for a geographical area. Accounting for constraints enables autonomous vehicles to be deployed safely and efficiently.
According to one aspect, a lidar system is a lidar system which includes one set of mechanical, e.g., optical, components, and two or more sets of electrical and/or software components. The beams which are provided by the optical components are effectively alternated between a first and second sets of electrical and/or software components. The redundancy provided by the first and second sets of electrical and/or software components allows the lidar system to remain operational in the event that one set of electrical and/or software components becomes non-operational.
A sensor unit (500) comprising: a fan (520); a sensor (510) having a sensor window (511); a duct assembly (530) to which the sensor and the fan are attached; and wherein a duct (540) that is arranged to direct air from the fan towards the sensor window is at least partially formed between the duct assembly and the sensor.
According to one aspect, a sensor clearing system is arranged to remove precipitation and/or other contamination from a sensor. A sensor clearing system which is suitable for use on an autonomous vehicle includes an axial fan and a duct arrangement. The axial fan is configured to provide air flow that is routed through the duct arrangement. The duct arrangement directs the air flow towards a sensor, e.g., a lidar, at a velocity and/or with a force that is selected to cause any precipitation on a surface of the sensor, e.g., a lens of a lidar, to be removed.
According to one aspect, a securement system configured to secure wheels of a vehicle against a surface, e.g., a surface on a transport vehicle, includes one or more locking mechanisms that are dynamically adjustable to engage the wheels. A locking mechanism may include mechanical structures such as prongs or fingers which are configured to apply forces to a wheel to effectively hold the wheel in place. The securement system may also include a bar arrangement which cooperates with the locking mechanisms to further constrain the movement of a vehicle that is secured to a surface using the securement system.
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a request for a first vehicle from a customer, and dispatching the first vehicle to a first location identified in the request. Dispatching the first vehicle to the first location includes causing the first vehicle to drive in an autonomous mode. The method also includes determining when the first vehicle arrives at the first location, and providing the customer with access to enter the first vehicle.
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
B60W 40/08 - Estimation or calculation of driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit related to drivers or passengers
G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a request for a first vehicle from a customer, and dispatching the first vehicle to a first location identified in the request. Dispatching the first vehicle to the first location includes causing the first vehicle to drive in an autonomous mode. The method also includes determining when the first vehicle arrives at the first location, and providing the customer with access to enter the first vehicle.
According to one aspect, a method includes identifying a condition relating to an impact on a vehicle by an object, the vehicle including at least one anchor mechanism, the at least one anchor mechanism configured to anchor the vehicle to a surface. The method also includes determining whether the condition indicates that the anchor mechanism is to be deployed, and deploying the anchor mechanism when it is determined that the condition indicates that the anchor mechanism is to be deployed.
B60R 21/0134 - Electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle
B60R 21/00 - Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
B60R 21/01 - Electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
B60R 21/0136 - Electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over responsive to actual contact with an obstacle
B60W 30/095 - Predicting travel path or likelihood of collision
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
According to one aspect, a radar system suitable for use in an autonomous vehicle is configured to provide a relatively high resolution in azimuth. The radar system may include multiple antenna blocks which may each include a transmitter and a receiver, and may be provided in an array, e.g., in a horizontal array. Each radar block may define an airgap therein which includes azimuth power dividers, elevation power dividers, vertical power dividers, and open-ended waveguides.
According to one aspect, a radar system suitable for use in an autonomous vehicle is configured to provide a relatively high resolution in azimuth. The radar system may include multiple antenna blocks which may each include a transmitter and a receiver, and may be provided in an array, e.g., in a horizontal array. Each radar block (964) may define an airgap therein which includes azimuth power dividers (972), elevation power dividers, vertical power dividers, and open-ended waveguides.
H01Q 1/40 - Radiating elements coated with, or embedded in, protective material
H01Q 1/32 - Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
H01Q 3/22 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation in accordance with variation of frequency of radiated wave
H01Q 21/06 - Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
G01S 13/42 - Simultaneous measurement of distance and other coordinates
G01S 13/34 - Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal
G01S 7/03 - Details of HF subsystems specially adapted therefor, e.g. common to transmitter and receiver
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G01S 13/931 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
Described are LiDAR systems comprising a transmission optical system and a collection optical system utilizing a common lens or pieces derived from the same lens to reduce or eliminate image mismatch between the transmission optical system and the collection optical system.
Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of electric autonomous vehicles for apportioned display of a media, operating autonomously and a fleet management module for coordination of the autonomous vehicle fleet. Each autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising a screen configured to display the media. Activation, deactivation, brightness modification, in combination with specific media selection enables more efficient media display.
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
B60P 3/00 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
B60R 19/48 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
B60R 21/34 - Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
B60W 30/08 - Predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G05D 1/686 - Maintaining a relative position with respect to moving targets, e.g. following animals or humans
G06F 16/955 - Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
G08G 1/04 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using optical or ultrasonic detectors
G09F 21/04 - Mobile visual advertising by land vehicles
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
A47J 47/00 - Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclassCutting-boards, e.g. for bread
B60H 1/00 - Heating, cooling or ventilating devices
B60P 1/36 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon
B60P 3/025 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects the object being a shop, cafeteria or display
B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
B60R 21/36 - Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using airbags
B60R 25/25 - Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off using biometry
B64U 101/64 - UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengersUAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting goods other than weapons for parcel delivery or retrieval
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06V 20/56 - Context or environment of the image exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
According to one aspect, mechanisms already in vehicles may be substantially repurposed or reconfigured to facilitate autonomous driving. Cruise control controls, e.g, a cruise control stem or stick, in a vehicle may be configured for use to activate and to deactivate an autonomous mode in the vehicle. By repurposing cruise control controls to activate and to deactivate an autonomous mode, drivers may efficiently activate and deactivate the autonomous mode while a vehicle operates, a vehicle includes an autonomy system, an activator mechanism, and a cruise control system. The autonomy system is configured to enable the vehicle to operate in an autonomous mode when the autonomy system is in an active state. The activator mechanism including a toggle having a first toggle state and a second toggle state. The toggle is in communication with the autonomy system to activate the active state when the toggle is in the first toggle state and to deactivate the active state when the toggle is in the second toggle state The cruise control system is arranged to be engaged to cause a speed of the vehicle to be automatically controlled, wherein the cruise control system is physically decoupled from the activator mechanism.
A rapid deceleration mechanism for a vehicle is provided herein. The rapid deceleration mechanism decelerates a body of the vehicle traveling on a road surface. The rapid deceleration mechanism includes at least one bollard attached to the body and at least one energetics arrangement. The at least one energetics arrangement propels the at least one bollard from the body toward the road surface to decelerate the body such that at least one of a portion of the body or the at least one bollard is deformed.
B60T 1/14 - Arrangements of braking elements, i.e. of those parts where braking effect occurs acting otherwise than by retarding wheels, e.g. jet- action directly on road
69.
LOW VOLTAGE POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
According to one aspect, an autonomous vehicle (101) includes hardware systems which receive relatively low voltage from a low voltage power distribution unit (LVPDU). An LVPDU includes a power source such as a DC-DC converter and a plurality of backup batteries. The plurality of backup batteries is configured to provide backup power to subsets of components arranged to effectively all be powered by the power source onboard the LVPDU. The backup batteries may be tested, substantially while LVPDU is being used to provide power. The backup batteries may be charged substantially in parallel.
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
B60L 3/04 - Cutting-off the power supply under fault conditions
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
B60L 58/13 - Maintaining the SoC within a determined range
B60L 58/20 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having different nominal voltages
B60L 58/21 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having the same nominal voltage
B60W 50/023 - Avoiding failures by using redundant parts
B60W 50/029 - Adapting to failures or work around with other constraints, e.g. circumvention by avoiding use of failed parts
70.
Low voltage power distribution unit for autonomous vehicle
According to one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes hardware systems which receive relatively low voltage from a low voltage power distribution unit (LVPDU). An LVPDU includes a power source such as a DC-DC converter and a plurality of backup batteries. The plurality of backup batteries is configured to provide backup power to subsets of components arranged to effectively all be powered by the power source onboard the LVPDU. The backup batteries may be tested, substantially while LVPDU is being used to provide power. The backup batteries may be charged substantially in parallel.
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
B60L 58/20 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having different nominal voltages
B60W 10/26 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of energy storage means for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
A delivery system includes a database configured to store information of a customer where the information includes a default payment method, a communication system configured to communicate with an autonomous vehicle and with a device of the customer, where the device includes a display screen having a button to summon an autonomous vehicle, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the delivery system to receive an indication via the communication system that the button on the device of the customer has been clicked, and instruct the autonomous vehicle to travel to a location of the customer.
G06Q 50/40 - Business processes related to the transportation industry
B60P 3/00 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
B60R 19/48 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
B60R 21/34 - Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
B60W 30/08 - Predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G06F 16/955 - Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
G08G 1/04 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using optical or ultrasonic detectors
G09F 21/04 - Mobile visual advertising by land vehicles
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
A47J 47/00 - Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclassCutting-boards, e.g. for bread
B60H 1/00 - Heating, cooling or ventilating devices
B60P 1/36 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon
B60P 3/025 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects the object being a shop, cafeteria or display
B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
B60R 21/36 - Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using airbags
B60R 25/25 - Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off using biometry
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06V 20/56 - Context or environment of the image exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
According to one aspect, a method for detecting a location from which at least one sound signal originates, includes obtaining, on a microphone array of a vehicle, the at least one sound signal from a sound source, the sound source being external to the vehicle, the vehicle having a plurality of sides. The method also includes identifying, based on at least one measure associated with the at least one sound signal as obtained on the microphone array, at least a first side of the plurality of sides as being closest to the sound source.
G10L 25/78 - Detection of presence or absence of voice signals
B60R 11/02 - Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the likeArrangement of controls thereof
H04R 5/027 - Spatial or constructional arrangements of microphones, e.g. in dummy heads
According to one aspect, a vehicle includes hardware systems configured to support the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of the vehicle. Hardware systems may include a main compute, a brain stem computer (BSC), and an aggregator/compute arrangement or redundant autonomy compute. Such hardware systems may cooperate to allow the vehicle to operate autonomously, and typically provide capabilities, e.g., redundant and/or backup capabilities, configured to enable the vehicle to continue to operate in the event that a primary system is not functioning as expected. The aggregator/compute arrangement may further be comprised of two substantially identical modules or computing assemblies, each configured to process sensor data and perform backup autonomy functionalities and/or teleoperations functionalities.
According to one aspect, a vehicle includes hardware systems configured to support the autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of the vehicle. Hardware systems may include a main compute, a brain stem computer (BSC), and an aggregator/ compute arrangement or redundant autonomy compute. Such hardware systems may cooperate to allow the vehicle to operate autonomously, and typically provide capabilities, e.g., redundant and/or backup capabilities, configured to enable the vehicle to continue to operate in the event that a primary system is not functioning as expected. The aggregator/ compute arrangement may further be comprised of two substantially identical modules or computing assemblies, each configured to process sensor data and perform backup autonomy functionalities and/or teleoperations functionalities.
According to one aspect, a method includes identifying, in a scene around a vehicle, at least a first object, wherein the at least first object is identified using data obtained from a sensor system of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a first type associated with the at least first object, identifying at least a first indicator associated with the first type, and providing the at least first indicator associated with the first type to a display arrangement configured to display the scene and the at least first indicator.
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
Goods & Services
Shirts; Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Shirts for adults; Shirts for children; Clothing, namely, shirts; Clothing, namely, t-shirts; T-shirts for adults; T-shirts for children; Tee shirts; Tee-shirts Delivery of goods; Transport and storage of goods; Food delivery; Parcel delivery; Pizza delivery; Transport and delivery of goods
77.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE USING A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE
According to one aspect, a method comprising includes identifying a remote control as attempting to pair with a first vehicle, and determining whether the remote control is authorized to pair with the first vehicle, wherein determining whether the remote control is authorized to pair with the first vehicle includes determining whether credentials associated with the remote control indicate that the remote control is authorized to pair with the first vehicle. The method also includes causing the remote control to pair with the first vehicle when it is determined that the remote control is authorized to pair with the first vehicle, wherein causing the remote control to pair with the first vehicle enables the remote control to remotely control the first vehicle.
An autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles for providing an assortment of items to a customer or a potential customer after such customer or potential customer summons the one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles in an unstructured open or closed environment. Each autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprises one or more compartments configured to contain and secure the assortment of the items to be selected once the summoned autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle arrives to a customer or potential customer.
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
A47J 47/00 - Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclassCutting-boards, e.g. for bread
B60H 1/00 - Heating, cooling or ventilating devices
B60P 1/36 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon
B60P 3/025 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects the object being a shop, cafeteria or display
B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06Q 10/0635 - Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
G07C 5/02 - Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
G06V 20/56 - Context or environment of the image exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
H04W 4/40 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
B60R 19/48 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
B60R 21/36 - Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using airbags
Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles coordinated by a fleet management module. Each vehicle may be configured to receive a modular unit, wherein the modular unit is configured to secure a consumer product.
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06Q 10/06 - Resources, workflows, human or project managementEnterprise or organisation planningEnterprise or organisation modelling
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
A47J 47/00 - Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclassCutting-boards, e.g. for bread
B60H 1/00 - Heating, cooling or ventilating devices
B60P 1/36 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon
B60P 3/025 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects the object being a shop, cafeteria or display
B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06Q 20/00 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
G06Q 20/12 - Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
G07C 5/02 - Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
H04W 4/40 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
G06Q 30/02 - MarketingPrice estimation or determinationFundraising
G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
B60R 19/48 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
80.
Methods and apparatus for providing state estimation in autonomous vehicles
According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining, at a first unit, a first signal, and storing an indication of an arrival time of the first signal in a register of the first unit. The method also includes obtaining a digital signal to be provided to a controller area network (CAN) circuit system, the CAN circuit system being included in the first unit, adding the indication to the digital signal, wherein adding the indication to the digital signal creates an updated digital signal, and providing the updated digital signal to the CAN circuit system.
A plurality of radar units is included in an overall radar module such that the plurality of radar units effectively cooperates to provide an approximately 360-degree field-of-view over a relatively long range. The overall radar module may include a ring-shaped printed circuit board, and a rim that includes multiple radar units positioned to substantially cover a 360-degree field-of-view. Radar units of the overall radar module may be grouped together such that two or more radar units may operate substantially synchronously, e.g, as a substantially single radar unit.
G01S 13/87 - Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
G01S 13/931 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications for anti-collision purposes of land vehicles
G01S 13/42 - Simultaneous measurement of distance and other coordinates
H01Q 21/20 - Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along, or adjacent to, a curvilinear path
82.
Methods and apparatus for providing a 360-degree field-of-view radar system
A plurality of radar units is included in an overall radar module such that the plurality of radar units effectively cooperates to provide an approximately 360-degree field-of-view over a relatively long range. The overall radar module may include a ring-shaped printed circuit board, and a rim that includes multiple radar units positioned to substantially cover a 360-degree field-of-view. Radar units of the overall radar module may be grouped together such that two or more radar units may operate substantially synchronously, e.g., as a substantially single radar unit.
An autonomous robot vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a conveyance system and a compartment coupled to the conveyance system. The conveyance system autonomously drives the autonomous robotic vehicle between one or more storage locations and one or more delivery locations. The compartment receives one or more items stored at the one more storage locations. The compartment includes a temperature control module configured to maintain the compartment within a predetermined temperature range to provide temperature control for the one or more items as the conveyance system drives between the one or more storage locations and the one or more delivery locations.
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G06Q 10/0631 - Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
G06Q 50/28 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
G08G 1/00 - Traffic control systems for road vehicles
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
A47J 47/00 - Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclassCutting-boards, e.g. for bread
B60H 1/00 - Heating, cooling or ventilating devices
B60P 1/36 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon
B60P 3/025 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects the object being a shop, cafeteria or display
B60R 19/18 - Means within the bumper to absorb impact
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06Q 10/0635 - Risk analysis of enterprise or organisation activities
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
G07F 17/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services
G07F 17/12 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
G07C 5/02 - Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
G06V 20/56 - Context or environment of the image exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
H04W 4/40 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
G01C 21/20 - Instruments for performing navigational calculations
B60R 19/48 - Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
B60R 21/36 - Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using airbags
According to one aspect, a coherent lidar system such as a Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) lidar system may be provided with a beam steering or scanning arrangement which provides three-dimensional scanning. By providing a beam steering or scanning arrangement which provides an approximately 360 degree range of horizontal scanning, and an approximately twenty degree range of vertical scanning, an FMCW lidar system may achieve a scanning field of view that is similar to that of Time-of-Flight (TOF) lidar systems. A FMCW lidar system with three-dimensional scanning may enable fewer FMCW lidar systems to be used to provide a desired overall scanning field of view, and also achieve a comparable overall scanning field of view as a TOF lidar system substantially without issues such as the significant movement of electrical components.
According to one aspect, a coherent lidar system such as a Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) lidar system may be provided with a beam steering or scanning arrangement which provides three-dimensional scanning. By providing a beam steering or scanning arrangement which provides an approximately 360 degree range of horizontal scanning, and an approximately twenty degree range of vertical scanning, an FMCW lidar system may achieve a scanning field of view that is similar to that of Time-of-Flight (TOF) lidar systems. A FMCW lidar system with three-dimensional scanning may enable fewer FMCW lidar systems to be used to provide a desired overall scanning field of view, and also achieve a comparable overall scanning field of view as a TOF lidar system substantially without issues such as the significant movement of electrical components.
G01S 7/481 - Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
G01S 17/32 - Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated
A system that supports an undeployed airbag (1066) is arranged to enable the airbag to be substantially cradled while undeployed, and to enable the airbag to be deployed in a manner that substantially protects a vehicle panel positioned over the airbag from being severely damaged when the airbag deploys. Such a system may enable the undeployed airbag to be attached to the vehicle panel (1086) such that the panel may deform upon deployment of the airbag to substantially absorb some deployment energy. The absorption of some deployment energy may effectively reduce the likelihood of a person being injured, or an object being severely damaged, upon contact with a deploying or deployed airbag.
According to one aspect, a method for validating a vision system includes providing a vision testing medium at a first distance from the vision system, communicating a first information relating to the vision testing medium from the sensing apparatus to a first system, and displaying, using the first system, a rendering of the vision testing medium based on the first information. The method also includes obtaining, using the first system, at least a first indication of a visual acuity associated with the vision system, determining when the visual acuity at least meets a threshold level, and identifying the sensing apparatus as validated when the visual acuity at least meets the threshold level.
A61B 3/032 - Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors
A61B 5/18 - Devices for psychotechnicsTesting reaction times for vehicle drivers
G06T 7/80 - Analysis of captured images to determine intrinsic or extrinsic camera parameters, i.e. camera calibration
G16H 40/67 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilitiesICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
88.
Methods and apparatus for implementing an external airbag
According to one aspect, a system that supports an undeployed airbag is arranged to enable the airbag to be substantially cradled while undeployed, and to enable the airbag to be deployed in a manner that substantially protects a vehicle panel positioned over the airbag from being severely damaged when the airbag deploys. Such a system may enable the undeployed airbag to be attached to the vehicle panel such that the panel may deform upon deployment of the airbag to substantially absorb some deployment energy. The absorption of some deployment energy may effectively reduce the likelihood of a person being injured, or an object being severely damaged, upon contact with a deploying or deployed airbag.
According to one aspect, a method includes detecting at a vehicle which includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) communications system, a presence of a first device, and pairing the vehicle and the first device, wherein pairing the vehicle and the first device causes the vehicle and the first device to communicate using UWB communications. The method also includes exchanging information between the vehicle and the first device using the UWB communications after the vehicle and the first device are paired, and performing an action using the vehicle, wherein the action is based on the information.
B60W 60/00 - Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles
H04B 1/7163 - Spread spectrum techniques using impulse radio
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
B60R 25/20 - Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
B60R 25/01 - Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
According to one aspect, a sensor system of an autonomous vehicle includes at least two lidar units or sensors. A first lidar unit, which may be a three-dimensional time of flight (ToF) lidar sensor, is arranged to obtain three-dimensional point data relating to a sensed object, and a second lidar unit, which may be a two-dimensional coherent or frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar sensor, is arranged to obtain velocity data relating to the sensed object. The data from the first and second lidar units may be effectively correlated such that a point cloud may be generated that includes point data and annotated velocities.
According to one aspect, a sensor system of an autonomous vehicle includes at least two lidar units or sensors. A first lidar unit, which may be a three-dimensional time of flight (ToF) lidar sensor, is arranged to obtain three-dimensional point data relating to a sensed object, and a second lidar unit, which may be a two-dimensional coherent or frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar sensor, is arranged to obtain velocity data relating to the sensed object. The data from the first and second lidar units may be effectively correlated such that a point cloud may be generated that includes point data and annotated velocities.
Methods and systems for determining an optimal routing policy for an autonomous vehicle are described. A set of states that represent portions of lanes are determined. A set of costs for a set of actions is associated with each state. The set of actions includes a stay in lane action, a lane change action, and a forced lane change action. A lane change action has a non-deterministic outcome with a probability based on the length of the state. A cost for a stay in lane action is greater or equal than a length of the state and a cost of a forced lane change action is the reciprocal of a success rate of lane changes. An optimal routing policy is determined for the autonomous vehicle according to a shortest path first (SPF) algorithm run on the set of states based on the set of costs and the set of actions.
Techniques for image quality enhancement for autonomous vehicle remote operations are disclosed herein. An image processing system of an autonomous vehicle can obtain images captured by at least two different cameras and stitch the images together to create a combined image. The image processing system can apply region blurring to a portion of the combined image to create an enhanced combined image, e.g., to blur regions/objects determined to be less import (or unimportant) for the remote operations. The image processing system can encode pixel areas of the enhanced combined image using a corresponding quality setting for respective pixel areas to create encoded image files, e.g., based on complexity levels of the respective pixel areas. The image processing system can transmit the encoded image files to a remote operations system associated with the autonomous vehicle for remote operations support.
Techniques for image quality enhancement for autonomous vehicle remote operations are disclosed herein. An image processing system of an autonomous vehicle can obtain images captured by at least two different cameras and stitch the images together to create a combined image. The image processing system can apply region blurring to a portion of the combined image to create an enhanced combined image, e.g., to blur regions/objects determined to be less import (or unimportant) for the remote operations. The image processing system can encode pixel areas of the enhanced combined image using a corresponding quality setting for respective pixel areas to create encoded image files, e.g., based on complexity levels of the respective pixel areas. The image processing system can transmit the encoded image files to a remote operations system associated with the autonomous vehicle for remote operations support.
Disclosed herein are systems for navigating an autonomous or semi-autonomous fleet comprising a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles within a plurality of navigable pathways within an unstructured open environment.
According to one aspect, a method includes determining when a vehicle has arrived at a destination and performing a first authentication process when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination. The first authentication process being arranged to authenticate a first party to enable the first party to interact with the vehicle. The method also includes determining when the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, performing a second process when it is determined that the first party has successfully completed the first authentication process, determining whether the second process is successfully completed, and enabling the first party to interact with the vehicle when it is determined that the second process is successfully completed. Performing the second process includes determining when the first party is present within the sensing zone. The first authentication process and the second process are contactless with respect to the vehicle.
B60R 25/20 - Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
B60R 16/023 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
G07C 9/22 - Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
G07C 9/27 - Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass with central registration
G07C 9/28 - Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
B60R 25/01 - Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
G07C 5/00 - Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
98.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SANITIZING AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
According to one aspect, a vehicle (101) includes a first compartment (102), a system, and a first sanitizing arrangement (344). The first compartment (102) has a plurality of walls that define a space, and the system is configured to enable the vehicle (101) to travel autonomously. The system includes a power system (332) configured to provide power to the first compartment (102). The first sanitizing arrangement (344) includes at least a first sanitizing component, the at least first sanitizing component being included in the first compartment (102), wherein the first sanitizing arrangement (344) is configured to be activated to sanitize the plurality of walls and the space.
A61L 2/22 - Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols
G06Q 50/28 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
B60P 3/00 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
B60R 5/02 - Compartments within vehicle body primarily intended or sufficiently spacious for trunks, suit-cases, or the like arranged at front of vehicle
B60R 5/04 - Compartments within vehicle body primarily intended or sufficiently spacious for trunks, suit-cases, or the like arranged at rear of vehicle
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
B60R 25/01 - Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
99.
Methods and apparatus for sanitizing an autonomous vehicle
According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a first compartment, a system, and a first sanitizing arrangement. The first compartment has a plurality of walls that define a space, and the system is configured to enable the vehicle to travel autonomously. The system includes a power system configured to provide power to the first compartment. The first sanitizing arrangement includes at least a first sanitizing component, the at least first sanitizing component being included in the first compartment, wherein the first sanitizing arrangement is configured to be activated to sanitize the plurality of walls and the space.
According to one aspect, a method includes propelling a vehicle to a location. The vehicle includes at least one compartment configured to contain at least one delivery item and at least one transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism arranged to be activated to cause the delivery item to be purged from the at least one compartment. The method also includes determining when the vehicle is authorized to deliver the delivery item at the location, aligning the vehicle with respect to a target at the location, opening a door to the at least one compartment, and activating the transfer mechanism after opening the door. Activating the transfer mechanism includes causing the transfer mechanism to purge the delivery item such that the delivery item is obtained by the target. The target is arranged to receive the delivery item when the delivery item is purged from the at least one compartment.
