Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing redundant pulse-width modulation (PWM) throttle control. The system includes a manual throttle controller configured to generate a manual PWM throttle control signal, and an automated throttle control system. The automated throttle control system includes a plurality of automated throttle controllers, each of which being configured to independently control a throttle of a vehicle, and each including a processor configured to generate and output an automated PWM throttle control signal, a first double pole double throw (DPDT) relay that, when engaged, is configured to receive and output the manual PWM throttle control signal, and a second DPDT relay, configured to receive and output the automated PWM throttle control signal to an engine, when the second DPDT relay is engaged; and receive and output the manual PWM throttle control signal to the engine, when the DPDT relay is disengaged.

Abstract: A warning indicator system for an autonomous vehicle includes a sensor pod, a connecting assembly, and a warning indicator. The sensor pod has a sensor and a sensor pod housing. The connecting assembly is configured to couple the sensor pod to the autonomous vehicle. The warning indicator is associated with the sensor pod and the connecting assembly. The warning indicator is configured to alert other vehicles and persons to a stopped condition of the autonomous vehicle. An autonomous vehicle includes the warning indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a presence of water along a surface from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds is provided. The method comprises generating, using a LiDAR system coupled to a vehicle, at least one point cloud, wherein the LiDAR system comprises a processor, and, using the processor, identifying and isolating a ground plane within the at least one point cloud, identifying one or more objects within the at least one point cloud, determining whether a reflection of the one or more objects is present in the at least one point cloud below the ground plane, and, when the reflection is present, determining that water is present along a surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a degree of wetness of a road surface from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds are provided. The method comprises generating, using a LiDAR system, at least one point cloud, wherein the LiDAR system comprises a processor, and, using the processor, identifying and isolating one or more road surface points within a point cloud of the at least one point cloud, wherein the one or more road surface points indicate a road surface portion within an environment of the point cloud, analyzing the one or more road surface points to determine a number of the one or more road surface points that are zero intensity returns, and, based on the number of zero intensity returns, determining a degree of wetness of the road surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying water on a road surface via ultrasonic return intensity analysis are provided. The method comprises generating, using a processor, a road surface mapping of a road surface of an environment of a vehicle, transmitting, using one or more ultrasonic transducers, one or more ultrasonic waves in a direction of the road surface, receiving, using the one or more ultrasonic transducers, one or more returned ultrasonic waves, wherein the one or more returned ultrasonic waves return to the one or more ultrasonic transducers after reflecting off the road surface, determining an intensity of the one or more returned ultrasonic waves, and, when the intensity is below a threshold intensity, determining that a location at which the returned ultrasonic waves reflected off of the road surface has water present.

Abstract: A method for warning approaching vehicles of an autonomous vehicle includes sensing a stopped condition of the autonomous vehicle, activating a warning indicator of the autonomous vehicle based on the stopped condition, sensing a start condition of the autonomous vehicle, and deactivating the warning indicator of the autonomous vehicle based on the start condition. The warning indicator includes a plurality of LEDs or an LED panel coupled to or formed within a sensor pod coupled to the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a presence of water along a surface and adjusting a speed of a vehicle are provided. The method comprises generating one or more data points from one or more sensors coupled to a vehicle, and, using a processor, determining, based on the one or more data points, whether water is present along a surface, when water is present along the surface, determining a speed adjustment of the vehicle based on the water present along the surface, and generating a control signal configured to cause the vehicle to adjust a speed of the vehicle according to the speed adjustment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing redundant pulse-width modulation (PWM) throttle control. The system includes a manual throttle controller configured to generate a manual PWM throttle control signal, and an automated throttle control system. The automated throttle control system includes a plurality of automated throttle controllers, each of which being configured to independently control a throttle of a vehicle, and each including a processor configured to generate and output an automated PWM throttle control signal, a first double pole double throw (DPDT) relay that, when engaged, is configured to receive and output the manual PWM throttle control signal, and a second DPDT relay, configured to receive and output the automated PWM throttle control signal to an engine, when the second DPDT relay is engaged; and receive and output the manual PWM throttle control signal to the engine, when the DPDT relay is disengaged.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling a vehicle by teleoperation based on a speed limiter. The method may include: receiving, at the autonomous vehicle, a teleoperation input from a teleoperation system, wherein the teleoperation input comprises a throttle control input for remotely controlling a speed of the autonomous vehicle; determining the speed of the autonomous vehicle; determining if the speed of the autonomous vehicle has reached a threshold speed below a speed limit; and upon determining that the speed of the autonomous vehicle has reached the threshold speed, reducing effect of the throttle control input from the teleoperation system such that an acceleration rate of the speed of the autonomous vehicle is reduced.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling a vehicle by teleoperations based on map creation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling a vehicle by teleoperations based on map creation. The method may include: receiving, at the autonomous vehicle, a teleoperation input from a teleoperation system through a communication link, wherein the teleoperation input comprises a modification to at least a portion of an existing trajectory of the autonomous vehicle; generating an updated map data based on the received teleoperation input from the teleoperation system, wherein the updated map data comprises the modification to the least the portion of the existing trajectory; determining a modified trajectory or a new trajectory for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the updated map data; and controlling the autonomous vehicle according to the modified trajectory or the new trajectory.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling a vehicle by teleoperations based on map creation. The method may include: receiving sensor data from one or more sensors on the autonomous vehicle through a communication link, wherein the sensor data comprises environmental data associated with a physical environment of the autonomous vehicle and operation data comprising an existing trajectory of the autonomous vehicle; transforming the sensor data into visualization data configured to represent the physical environment of the autonomous vehicle on a visualization interface; generating updated map data comprising a modification to the least the portion of the existing trajectory; and transmitting to the autonomous vehicle a teleoperation input comprising the updated map data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying a vehicle subject to an emergency alert are provided. The system comprises one or more autonomous vehicles, each autonomous vehicle comprising a vehicle detection and identification system configured to analyze one or more vehicles within a surrounding environment, and a wireless emergency alert system. The wireless emergency alert system may be configured to receive or generate an emergency alert, wherein the emergency alert includes a geographic region associated with the emergency alert and one or more identifiable markers of a wanted vehicle, determine one or more autonomous vehicles to receive the emergency alert, and relay the emergency alert to the one or more autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying a vehicle subject to an emergency alert. The method includes receiving an emergency alert, wherein the emergency alert includes a geographic region associated with the emergency alert and one or more identifiable markers of a wanted vehicle, determining whether the autonomous vehicle is within the geographic region associated with the emergency alert, and detecting, using one or more detection mechanisms coupled to the autonomous vehicle, a detected vehicle within an environment of the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes, when the autonomous vehicle is within the geographic region associated with the emergency alert, determining, for each identifiable marker, whether the detected vehicle matches the identifiable marker, and when the detected vehicle matches the one or more identifiable markers, generating, using a processor coupled to the autonomous vehicle, a signal indicating that the detected vehicle is the wanted vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filtering atmospheric conditions from LiDAR point clouds. The method includes generating, using a LiDAR system, at least one point cloud, wherein the LiDAR system includes a processor. The method further includes, using the processor, identifying and isolating one or more ground points within a point cloud of the at least one point cloud, wherein the one or more ground points indicate a ground portion within an environment of the point cloud, filtering out the ground portion from the point cloud, generating an initial processed point cloud, identifying and isolating one or more atmospheric condition points within the initial processed point cloud, wherein the one or more atmospheric condition points indicate one or more atmospheric conditions within an environment of the processed point cloud, and filtering out the atmospheric condition points from the initial processed point cloud, generating a final processed point cloud.