Abstract: One example method of operation may include receiving, at a server, one or more communications from one or more drones, identifying, via the server, the one or more drones are active in a predefined geographical area, authorizing, via the server, the one or more drones to receive one or more assignments, and performing, via the server, the one or more assignments to the one or more drones to perform one or more operations, and the operations assigned to the one or more drones are based on one or more roles and permissions assigned to the one or more drones.

Abstract: A device is provided for controlling longitudinal guidance of a vehicle designed to be driven in an at least partly automated manner. The vehicle includes an actuation element for having a driver control longitudinal guidance, the actuation element being blockable within predefined limit positions in accordance with a variable representing the degree of automation of the vehicle and a first condition. The actuation element can be unblocked in accordance with the variable representing the degree of automation of the traveling vehicle and at least one second condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for platooning using aspects of various cruise control systems are described. In one aspect, a platooning system may cause an engine to provide a desired amount of torque by commanding a cruise control system to cause an amount of torque provided by the engine to be limited. In one aspect, a platooning system may cause a platoon to end in response to the detection of a condition that would cause a cruise control system to exit a cruise control state, such as pressing a brake pedal.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle having one or more computing devices that may receive instructions to pick up a passenger at a location, determine when the vehicle is within a first distance of the location, provide a first notification that the vehicle is within the first distance, and stop the vehicle. When the vehicle is stopped, the computing device may initiate a countdown. When a client computing device associated with the passenger has not been authenticated, the computing devices may provide a second notification based on a first amount of time remaining in the countdown and a third notification indicating that the trip is cancelled based on a second amount of time remaining in the countdown less than the first amount of time. Once the third notification is provided, the computing devices move the vehicle from the where the vehicle is stopped without the passenger.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle moving on a road, wherein the vehicle includes a controller capable of activating an automated function involving emergency braking of the vehicle. The method includes automated steps consisting in after the automated function is complete, collecting information relative to the space in front of the vehicle; determining whether the space in front of the vehicle is sufficient to enable the vehicle to move forward; only if the space in front of the vehicle is sufficient, reaccelerating.

Abstract: Sun-aware routing and controls of an autonomous vehicle is described herein. A location and an orientation of a sensor system is identified within an environment of the autonomous vehicle to determine whether the sun causes a threshold level of perception degradation to the sensor system incident to generating a sensor signal indicative of a traffic light. The determination is based upon perception degradation data that can be precomputed for locations and orientations within the environment for dates and times of day. The perception degradation data is based upon the location of at least one traffic light and positions of the sun relative to the locations and the orientations within the environment. A mechanical system of the autonomous vehicle is controlled to execute a maneuver that reduces perception degradation to the sensor system when the perception degradation is determined to exceed the threshold level of perception degradation.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to analyzing head movements in a test driver tasked with monitoring the driving of a vehicle operating in an autonomous driving mode. For instance, a sensor may be used to capture sensor data of a test driver's head for a period of time. The sensor data may be analyzed to determine whether the test driver's head moved sufficiently enough to suggest that the test driver is engaged in monitoring the driving of the vehicle. Based on the determination of whether the test driver's head moved sufficiently enough, an intervention response may be initiated.

Abstract: A device is provided for operating a vehicle which can be driven in an at least partly automated manner, the device includes an actuating element which can be operated by a driver for controlling at least the lateral control of the vehicle, and includes a wheel angle adjuster which, when actuated by the actuating element of the driver and/or by an electronic control unit controlling the automated lateral control of the vehicle, controls a steering angle at the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The device is characterized in that the device has at least one so-called interpretation operating mode which differs from a substantially manual operating mode in that one or more operation action(s) initiated by the driver at the actuating element are suitably interpreted in accordance with the degree of haptic contact between the driver and the actuating element.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to generating a bid for turn priority at an intersection. An autonomous vehicle determines that the autonomous vehicle and a second autonomous vehicle are proximate to an intersection. The autonomous vehicle generates a first bid that is indicative of a first importance that the autonomous vehicle traverses the intersection. The first bid is based upon characteristics of a trip of a passenger riding in the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle transmits the first bid to a networked computing system, wherein the networked computing system determines a turn order based upon the first bid and a second bid generated by the second autonomous vehicle. The networked computing system transmits the turn order to the autonomous vehicle, wherein the autonomous vehicle operates based upon the turn order.

Abstract: An autonomous driving assistance device includes a manual driving control section, an autonomous driving control section, and a travelling condition determining section. If it is detected that there is a malfunction in a first sensor during control of the autonomous driving of the vehicle, the autonomous driving control section executes emergency autonomous driving until a predetermined condition is satisfied while changing, based on the determined travelling condition, a driving manner of an emergency autonomous driving as compared with a driving manner of the autonomous driving executed before no malfunctions are detected in the first sensor; and after the emergency autonomous driving is terminated, the autonomous driving assistance device being configured to selectively execute one of: causing the autonomous driving control section to stop the vehicle; and causing the manual driving control section to control the manual driving.

Abstract: Dispatch of drones is disclosed. Example drone dispatching methods include transmitting a flight plan for a drone to a flight control platform associated with first operator for piloting the drone. The flight plan is based on a first location associated with a service request. In response to receiving a message from the flight control platform, a first communication session between the flight control platform and a flight control unit of the drone is initiated to permit remote piloting of the drone. A drone observation platform associated with a second operator is selected based on a subject matter qualification associated with the second operator and descriptive information included in the service request. A second communication session between the flight control platform and the drone observation platform is initiated for remote piloting of the drone.

Abstract: A controller is configured to set a stopping order of a plurality of vehicles, which indicates the vehicle order at a stop location in a stopping area. The controller is further configured to estimate an arrival order, which indicates the order in which the plurality of vehicles arrive at a prescribed location, based on position information of the plurality of vehicles. The controller is further configured to determine whether the arrival order differs from the stopping order The controller is further configured to control the travel of at least one vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles upon determining that the arrival order differs from the stopping order, such that the arrival order is the same as the stopping order by a time the plurality of vehicles arrive at the prescribed location.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling driving power from a powertrain of a motor vehicle comprising a kickdown switch, wherein an activation of the kickdown switch triggers a default action of temporarily requesting an increase of a maximum power available from the powertrain, the method comprising: recognizing that a speed limiter, setting an upper speed limit for the vehicle speed, is active, comparing a current vehicle speed to a predefined speed threshold, which is below the upper speed limit, and if the current vehicle speed is above the speed threshold and the speed limiter is active, triggering an altered action in response to the activation of the kickdown switch.

Abstract: The autonomous controller includes: a processor configured to control autonomous driving and determines whether to enable an autonomous driving mode or to convert the autonomous driving mode into a manual driving mode based on a current position of the driver's seat; and a storage configured to store data and an algorithm run by the processor. The processor controls at least one of whether to enable an autonomous driving mode, whether to restrict position adjustment of the driver's seat, or whether to hand over control authority based on a movement position in a forward or backward direction of the driver's seat or an angle of the backrest of the driver's seat.

Abstract: Provided is a self-powered vehicle, comprising: a mechanical drive system, a set of sensors, and a controller coupled to the mechanical drive system to move the vehicle. The self-powered vehicle can operate in a plurality of modes, including a pair mode and a smart behavior mode. In pair mode the vehicle follows the trajectory of a user and in smart behavior mode the vehicle performs autonomous behavior. The self-powered vehicle operates with hysteresis dynamics, such that the movements of the vehicle are consistent with ergonomic comfort of the user and third-party pedestrian courtesy. The self-powered vehicle can operate with other self-powered vehicles in a convoy.

Abstract: Provided is a self-powered vehicle, comprising: a mechanical drive system, a set of sensors, and a controller coupled to the mechanical drive system to move the vehicle. The self-powered vehicle can operate in a plurality of modes, including a pair mode and a smart behavior mode. In pair mode the vehicle follows the trajectory of a user and in smart behavior mode the vehicle performs autonomous behavior. The self-powered vehicle operates with hysteresis dynamics, such that the movements of the vehicle are consistent with ergonomic comfort of the user and third-party pedestrian courtesy. The self-powered vehicle can operate with other self-powered vehicles in a convoy.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a driving-assist control unit and a remote control unit. The driving-assist control unit is configured to perform an automatic driving control of stopping a vehicle in accordance with detection of an abnormal state of a driver of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling. The remote control unit is configured to perform a control of transmitting remote control permission notification after the vehicle is stopped by the automatic driving control. The remote control permission notification permits a remote control of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems described in this disclosure identify a driver of a vehicle. The driver may have a profile indicating vehicle settings, and at least one of the vehicle settings may not be overridden by the driver. The vehicle may be configured according to the vehicle settings in the profile, such that the vehicle may not operate outside of at least one of the vehicle settings that cannot be overridden. An insurance rate for insuring the vehicle may be generated based at least in part on the vehicle settings associated with the profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for controlling a fleet of at least two autonomous/remotely operated vehicles, wherein an embodiment of the method comprises: assigning to each of said at least two vehicles a predetermined route comprising a road segment which requires that a teleoperator of a remote operation station assists and/or drives the vehicle, determining a time overlap of the said road segments, and based on the determined time overlap, inserting a delay or a speedup in a preceding autonomous drive road segment of the predetermined route of at least one of said at least two autonomous/remotely operated vehicles so that said road segments no longer overlap in time.

Abstract: The vehicle control apparatus comprises a sensor to detect a turning movement physical quantity, an acceleration-deceleration device, a control unit, and a device to obtain road shape information representing a shape of a road at a position that is away from a vehicle by a predetermined distance. The unit determines that a first control start condition becomes satisfied when a magnitude of the physical quantity exceeds a first value while the curved road has not been determined to be present based on the road shape information, to perform an acceleration-deceleration control for making the vehicle run at a target speed depending on a curvature of the road. The unit determines that a second control start condition becomes satisfied when the magnitude of the physical quantity exceeds a second value smaller than the first value while the curved road has been determined to be present to perform the acceleration-deceleration control.