Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for recommending alternative destinations in ride-sharing services are provided. A computing device implementing the method may start with receiving a trip request from a user device. The trip request may include an origin and a destination. Then the computing device classifies the trip request into one of a plurality of trip purpose categories based at least on the origin and the destination of the trip request, the rider's information, and a machine-learning classifier trained to predict the one trip purpose category of the trip request. In response to the one trip purpose category belonging to a preset group of trip purpose categories, the computing device determines one or more alternative destinations for the trip request, and sends to the user device, the one or more alternative destinations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using transmission sensor(s) in localization of an autonomous vehicle (“AV”) are described herein. Some implementations receive instance(s) of transmission sensor data generated by transmission sensor(s) of the AV, generate pose instance(s) of a pose of the AV based on the instance(s) of the transmission sensor data, and cause the AV to be controlled based on the pose instance(s). In some of those implementations, the pose instance(s) can be generated based on steering data the AV that indicates steering angle(s) of the autonomous, and that temporally correspond to the instance(s) of the transmission sensor data. In various implementations, the pose instance(s) may only be generated or utilized based on the instance(s) of the transmission sensor data (and optionally the steering data) in response to detecting an adverse event at the AV.

Abstract: A method for controlling switching of steering control rights of an autonomous vehicle, may include: performing a control to synchronize a steering angle of a steering wheel and a steering angle of a road wheel, when switching of the steering control rights from an automated driving mode to a manual driving mode is requested. The method further includes: detecting an error value between the steering angle of the steering wheel and the steering angle of the road wheel, when a hands-on state in which the steering wheel is gripped is detected in the synchronization process. In addition, the method further includes: performing a control to switch the mode of the autonomous vehicle to the manual driving mode, when the error value is less than a preset value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for generating a transition variability index related to autonomous driving. In this regard, a first transition variability index is calculated. The first transition variability index is indicative of a first degree of variability in relation to transition of vehicles from respective autonomous levels while traveling proximate a first spatial reference point. Furthermore, a second transition variability index is generated. The second transition variability index is indicative of a second degree of variability in relation to transition of vehicles from respective autonomous levels while traveling along proximate a second spatial reference point. Updating of transition data associated with one of the first and second spatial reference points relative to another one of the first and second spatial reference points is then prioritized based on a comparison between the first transition variability index and the second transition variability index.

Abstract: While operating a host vehicle in a lane, a target vehicle is detected entering the lane in front of the vehicle. A trajectory of the target vehicle is predicted based on sensor data. Upon determining that the target vehicle will pass through the lane based on the predicted trajectory, the host vehicle is operated based on determining a presence or an absence of a lead vehicle. Upon determining that the target vehicle will remain in the lane based on the predicted trajectory, the host vehicle is operated with the target vehicle as the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A medical treatment server is configured to reduce load on physicians for work other than examination and treatment. The server is configured to send recruiting conditions and in response receive undertaking conditions that are related to a physician who does not belong to the medical facility. A controller decides whether to appoint the physician depending on whether a pickup location included in the received undertaking conditions is apart from a location of the medical facility by a distance equal to or greater than a threshold. Upon deciding to appoint the physician, the controller determines a pickup location included in the undertaking conditions to be a stopover point.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and a system and method of operating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes a sensor and a processor. The processor determines an effective observation area of the sensor, the effective observation area being affected by an extrinsic condition. The processor determines an available time for performing a lane change based on the effective observation area and performs the lane change based on the available time.

Abstract: A steering control device includes a control circuit and a drive circuit. The control circuit is configured to perform a current feedback computation by which the actual current value of electric current to be supplied to a motor follows a current command value. The control circuit is configured to execute an end-abutting relaxation control to correct the current command value such that decrease in an end interval angle is restricted, when the end interval angle is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle, the end interval angle indicating the distance of the absolute steer angle from the end position correspondence angle. The control circuit is configured to adjust a control gain to be used in the current feedback computation, such that the control gain increases, when overshoot of the actual current value occurs during the execution of the end-abutting relaxation control.

Abstract: A vehicle receives sensor data from at least one of its sensors as it approaches an intersection and determines whether a traffic flow control device for the intersection is detected. When detected, a detected type, a detected state, or both of the traffic flow control device is determined. Using a type of the intersection, at least one of an existing type or an existing state of the traffic flow control device is determined, where the traffic flow control device is undetected or the detected type, the detected state, or both are determined with a detection confidence less than a defined level of detection confidence. The traffic flow control device is tagged with a label including its location and existing type, the existing state, or both within at least one control system for the vehicle. The vehicle is operated within vehicle transportation network using a control system that incorporates the label.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can determine at least one potential route for navigating a vehicle within a geographic region. A score that measures a comfort level associated with the potential route can be determined, wherein the score is determined based on at least one sensor map that segments the geographic region into a grid of cells, and wherein the comfort level for the potential route is determined based at least in part on cells through which the vehicle travels while navigating along the potential route. A determination is made whether to use the potential route for navigating the vehicle based at least in part on the score.

Abstract: Provided is a method for providing a safe operation of subsystems within a safety critical system (SCS). A malfunctioning subsystem of the SCS sends a malfunction signal to the other subsystems of the SCS including a one-time cryptographic key unique to the malfunctioning subsystem, which is then decrypted by the other subsystems and collective safety management is initiated when the cryptographic key is valid. Also provided are traffic control systems, autonomous driving systems or automotive driver assistance systems. A swarm-like behavior of the subsystems collectively reacting to emergency situations is combined with a one-time cryptographic authentication and/or authorization procedure preventing repeated manipulation of the system by the same perpetrator.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for controlling a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. For instance, sensor data may be received from one or more sensors of the perception system of the vehicle, the sensor data identifying characteristics of an object perceived by the perception system. When it is determined that the object is no longer being perceived by the one or more sensors of the perception system, predicted characteristics for the object may be generated based on one or more of the identified characteristics. The predicted characteristics of the object may be used to control the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode such that the vehicle is able to respond to the object when it is determined that the object is no longer being perceived by the one or more sensors of the perception system.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control method and an automatic transmission control device control upshifting and downshifting of an automatic transmission of a vehicle. An electronic controller limits a number of continuous upshifts or downshifts during continuous execution of upshifts or downshifts during cruise control.

Abstract: A method for dispatching trips to a plurality of autonomous vehicles is disclosed. Operational design domain (ODD) parameters for an autonomous vehicle of a first vehicle type are derived based on vehicle movement data. The vehicle movement data describes a plurality of trips executed by a set of autonomous vehicles of the first vehicle type. A first ODD parameter of the ODD parameters is identified that meets a criterion. A first new trip is generated based on the identified ODD parameter. An autonomous vehicle is selected to execute the first new trip. A request to execute the first new trip is then sent to the selected autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adding stops to an autonomous vehicle route. A passenger can request an intermediate stop during which the passenger can exit the autonomous vehicle. An intermediate stop request may include a stop duration. Autonomous vehicle driving behavior during the intermediate stop may include parking, driving around, and performing a different route.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller. The controller accumulates a scheduled vacant time period of a medical service, the scheduled period being received from an information management apparatus, in association with a medical facility corresponding to the information management apparatus. When a medical service request is received from a terminal apparatus, the controller searches for a particular medical facility as an available medical facility, being capable of providing a medical service corresponding to a medical service item in the scheduled vacant time period and that can be reached from the location of the terminal apparatus included in the medical service request in the scheduled vacant time period. The controller sends a notification of the available medical facility to the terminal apparatus sending the medical service request.

Abstract: A control device of a vehicle is provided. The device controls travelling of the vehicle such that the vehicle follows another vehicle based on information received from the other vehicle; and determines whether to allow the vehicle to start to follow another vehicle based on at least one of whether a user of the vehicle is inside the vehicle or an instruction from the user. The processor starts to follow another vehicle in a case where the travel control circuit is allowed to follow the other vehicle.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In one implementation, the autonomous vehicle is navigated towards a flow of traffic with a first gap between first and second vehicles and a second gap following the second vehicle. A motion plan for directing the autonomous vehicle into the flow of traffic at an interaction zone is generated based on whether an ability of the autonomous vehicle to enter the interaction zone at the second gap exceeds a confidence threshold. The autonomous vehicle is autonomously navigated into the flow of traffic at the first gap when the confidence threshold is exceeded. The motion plan forgoes navigation of the autonomous vehicle into the flow of traffic at the first and second gaps when the ability of the autonomous vehicle to enter the interaction zone at the second gap does not exceed the confidence threshold.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and architecture are provided for generating a sound-enhanced sensing envelope. A plurality of sensors and one or more passive sound sensors of a vehicle are used to collect and process sensor data signals characterizing an exterior environment of the vehicle, thereby generating a sensing envelope around the vehicle using direct sensing data signals and a sound-enhanced sensing envelope around the vehicle using indirect sensing data signals. The sound-enhanced sensing envelope is used to evaluate advanced driver assistance system commands for the vehicle with respect to safety-related events identified by the indirect sensing data signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaner. The cleaner includes a cleaner body, a suction nozzle configured to suck dust on a floor surface, and a suction hose configured to transfer the dust, transferred from the suction nozzle, to the cleaner body. The cleaner body includes a driving driver or motor moving the cleaner body, a depth sensor configured to obtain image information about an object near the cleaner body, and a processor configured to extract a foot sole region of a person, based on the obtained image information, obtain a moving point of the cleaner body, based on the extracted foot sole region, and control the driving driver to move the cleaner body to the obtained moving point.