Abstract: An autonomous robotic vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock, a customer identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the autonomous robotic vehicle to, autonomously: travel to a destination location of a customer; capture, by the customer identification reader at the destination location, a customer identification object; determine that the captured customer identification object matches an identity of the customer; unlock the securable compartment based on the determination; capture, by the product identification reader, a product identifier; and accept a product to be returned by locking the securable compartment. The securable compartment contains a product identification reader.

Abstract: An autonomous robot vehicle includes a front side and an energy absorbing system. The front side includes a front bumper and a front face including a frame defining a cavity. The energy absorbing system includes an energy absorbing member mounted in the cavity of the frame, and an inflatable airbag. The energy absorbing member is configured to reduce impact on an object struck by the autonomous robot vehicle. The inflatable airbag is mounted on the front side of the autonomous robot vehicle such that when the inflatable airbag is deployed, the inflatable airbag is external to the autonomous robot vehicle.

Abstract: A system is presented in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the system includes a light source configured to emit light, an emitting lens positioned to obtain the emitted light and configured to produce a shaped beam, an optical element positioned to obtain the shaped beam and redirect the shaped beam toward a near field object to produce scattered light from the near field object, and to obtain and redirect at least a portion of the scattered light, and a collection lens configured to focus the at least the portion of the scattered light on a light detector.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an autonomous robot vehicle is disclosed. In various embodiments, the autonomous robot vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock where the securable compartment contains an item for delivery to a particular individual, a personal identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the autonomous robot vehicle to, autonomously, travel to a destination location of the particular individual, capture by the personal identification reader at the destination location a personal identification object, determine that the captured personal identification object matches an identity of the particular individual, and unlock the securable compartment based on the determination.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing transportation or delivery services using a fleet of mixed vehicles. A computer-implemented method of providing services using a fleet of mixed vehicles includes receiving at a server a request for a service, determining parameters for the service, selecting by the server a vehicle from a fleet of mixed vehicles to perform at least a portion of the service based on the determined parameters, and transmitting a message to the selected vehicle to perform the at least a portion of the service. The fleet of mixed vehicles includes at least two of: a semi-autonomous vehicle, a fully-autonomous vehicle, a vehicle remotely operated by a human, or a human driven vehicle.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Provided herein are platforms for determining a non-navigational quality of at least one infrastructure by a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous land vehicles through infrastructure recognition and assessment.

Abstract: Provided herein are platforms for determining a real-time human behavior analysis of an unmanned vehicle by a plurality of autonomous or semi-autonomous land vehicles through infrastructure recognition and assessment. The platforms determine a real-time parking status for a plurality of parking locations, a platform for detecting a traffic violation by a manned vehicle at a roadway location, and a platform for monitoring security of a physical location.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes determining that a rapid deceleration mechanism of a vehicle is to be deployed at a first location, and identifying at least one deployment parameter associated with a deployment of the rapid deceleration mechanism, the at least one deployment parameter being associated with the first location. The method also includes deploying the rapid deceleration mechanism at the first location based on the at least one deployment parameter.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is operated using a main autonomy system that analyzes data collected by a sensor system of the autonomous vehicle to determine a trajectory of travel of the autonomous vehicle, and wherein the main autonomy system provides instructions to a propulsion system of the autonomous vehicle to cause the propulsion system to navigate the autonomous vehicle according to the trajectory. In response to determining that navigating the autonomous vehicle according to the trajectory is likely to result in collision, instructions are provided from a parallel autonomy system to the propulsion system to cause the autonomous vehicle to avoid collision. In response to detecting a fault in the main autonomy system, control of the propulsion system is provided from the main autonomy system to a failover autonomy system, wherein the failover autonomy system is configured to override the propulsion system.

Abstract: 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.