Abstract: The technology relates to an exterior sensor system for a vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous driving mode. The technology includes a close-in sensing (CIS) camera system to address blind spots around the vehicle. The CIS system is used to detect objects within a few meters of the vehicle. Based on object classification, the system is able to make real-time driving decisions. Classification is enhanced by employing cameras in conjunction with lidar sensors. The specific arrangement of multiple sensors in a single sensor housing is also important to object detection and classification. Thus, the positioning of the sensors and support components are selected to avoid occlusion and to otherwise prevent interference between the various sensor housing elements.

Abstract: A method and a system for establishing a route of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The method includes identifying an object from surface scanning data and shaping a space, which facilitates autonomous flight, as a layer, collecting surface image data for a flight path from the shaped layer, and analyzing a change in image resolution according to a distance from the object through the collected surface image data and extracting an altitude value on a flight route.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus may include: an active sensor configured to sense a forward obstacle of a vehicle; a passive sensor configured to sense a collision of the vehicle; a storage unit configured to store a collision threshold value which is set according to the passive sensor and a protection subject; a protection module driving unit configured to drive a protection module for protecting the protection subject in case of a collision with the vehicle; and a control unit configured to identify the protection subject based on the sensing result of the active sensor, adjust the collision threshold value according to the protection subject, compare the sensing result of the passive sensor to the collision threshold value, and operate the protection module driving unit.

Abstract: A system for collecting information regarding a flight restriction region includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to individually or collectively receive an input specifying a location of the flight restriction region from a user via a user input device, obtain information associated with the flight restriction region from one or more external data sources based on the location, and determine a space of the flight restriction region based on the information associated with the flight restriction region.

Abstract: A system for collecting information regarding a flight restriction region includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to individually or collectively receive an input specifying a location of the flight restriction region from a user via a user input device, obtain information associated with the flight restriction region from one or more external data sources based on the location, and determine a space of the flight restriction region based on the information associated with the flight restriction region.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for the improved and automatic prediction of an elevation of an architectural feature of a structure at a particular geographic location. Some example implementations employ predictive, machine-learning modeling to facilitate the use of LiDAR-derived ground-elevation data, additional location context data, and elevation data from comparator locations to extrapolate and otherwise predict the elevation or other position of a given architectural feature of structure.

Abstract: A system for operating an autonomous agent with incomplete environmental information can include and/or interface an autonomous operating system and an autonomous agent. A method for operating an autonomous agent with incomplete environmental information includes any or all of: receiving a set of inputs; determining a set of known objects in the ego vehicle's environment; determining a set of blind regions in the ego vehicle's environment; and inserting a set of virtual objects into the set of blind regions; selecting a set of virtual objects based on the set of blind regions; operating the autonomous agent based on the set of virtual objects; and/or any other suitable processes.

Abstract: A parking assistance apparatus includes: a parking space searching unit for searching for a parking-allowable parking space in which a user's vehicle can be parked; a target parking space selection unit for selecting a target parking space in which the user's vehicle is to be parked, based on an user setting information, when a plurality of parking-allowable parking spaces are detected; a parking operation assisting unit for assisting in a parking operation for parking the user's vehicle in the target parking space; and a parking operation assistance start determination unit for determining whether or not a determination condition for starting a parking operation is satisfied according to a state of the user's vehicle, and causing the parking operation assisting unit to start assisting in the parking operation when the determination condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle tracking device capable of appropriately tracking a vehicle. The vehicle tracking device is a vehicle tracking device that tracks a target vehicle that travels at the periphery of a host vehicle. The vehicle tracking device includes: an estimation unit that estimates a rectangular frame approximating an external shape of the target vehicle on the basis of past data; and a specifying unit that specifies an advancing direction of the target vehicle on the basis of layout of contour data composed of a plurality of pieces of detection point data, which is detected by a sensor that is mounted to the host vehicle and detects a relative position of a detection target with respect to the host vehicle as the detection point data, and indicates a contour of the target vehicle, with respect to a reference side that is a side on the host vehicle side among sides of the rectangular frame along a vehicle width direction of the rectangular frame.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting signal spoofing are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the spoofing detection method may include receiving one or more position signals indicative of a first position of a vehicle at a first time. The method may also include receiving one or more reference signals indicative of a second position of the vehicle at the first time. The method may also include determining a difference between the first position and the second position. The method may also include determining that the difference is above a predetermined tolerance. The method may further include notifying the vehicle positioning system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and issuing one or more safety measures if a person or an object has separated from a moving vehicle. The system may include at least one torque sensor coupled to the vehicle and configured to detect torque at a drivetrain of the vehicle. The system may further include at least one processor in electronic communication with the at least one torque sensor. The at least one processor may be configured to measure change in torque in real-time, where the change in time is directly proportional to a change in a mass of a load carried by the vehicle. The system may further include an alerting device controlled by the at least one processor. The alerting device may be configured to alert an operator of the vehicle when the change in torque exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes: a steering device configured to automatically control a steering angle of tires according to a traveling condition, the steering device being provided in an accommodating room that is separated from a passenger compartment by a partition member, and the steering device including a steered shaft, an actuator, and a gear mechanism; and a joint device provided in the accommodating room, the joint device being configured to mechanically connect an input shaft and a member including a rod-shaped body that is inserted from the passenger compartment into the accommodating room through an opening and closing portion formed in the partition member.

Abstract: A method performed by a first computing system includes receiving, from a second computing system, a message identifying a symptom of a first vehicle; and sending a repair tip to the second computing system. The repair tip includes a first phrase describing a first procedure performed on a second vehicle that exhibited the symptom, wherein the first procedure performed on the second vehicle yielded a result insufficient to determine that a component of the second vehicle associated with the symptom is defective. The repair tip also includes a second phrase describing a second procedure performed on a given vehicle, wherein the given vehicle is either (i) the second vehicle or (ii) a third vehicle that also exhibited the symptom, wherein the second procedure performed on the given vehicle yielded a result sufficient to determine that a component of the given vehicle associated with the symptom is defective.

Abstract: A device implementing a system for estimating device location includes at least one processor configured to receive a first and second set of signals, each set corresponding to location data and being received based on a sampling interval. The at least one processor is configured to, for each sampling period defined by the sampling interval, obtain sensor data corresponding to device motion during the sampling period, determine an orientation of the device relative to that of the vehicle based on the sensor data, calculate a non-holonomic constraint based on the orientation of the device relative to that of the vehicle such that the non-holonomic constraint is iteratively updated, and estimate a device state based on the non-holonomic constraint.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a sensor and a sensor having a plurality of light transmitters and a plurality of light receivers that are arranged in a common housing, with the optical axes of the light transmitters and light receivers being arranged in parallel or in fan form in different angle directions having angular intervals, whereby a protected field is formed, and having a control and evaluation unit for monitoring and evaluating the protected field, wherein a camera is connected to the control and evaluation unit, with camera images of the camera being evaluated by the control and evaluation unit.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include unique apparatuses, methods and systems providing coordinated control of vehicle cohorts. Certain embodiments perform an optimization of a vehicle cohort model and a plurality of vehicle models to determine vehicle cohort operating parameters and individual vehicle operating parameters in order to minimize total vehicle cohort power or a total vehicle cohort energy over a route of travel. Such embodiments further determine vehicle operating commands executable by vehicles of the cohort to implement the vehicle cohort operating parameters and individual vehicle operating parameters. Such vehicle operating commands may be transmitted to, received by and, executed by vehicles of the vehicle cohort.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method to be performed by a vehicle-based media system includes (a) receiving audio content; (b) causing one or more speakers to output the received audio content; (c) using a microphone of the vehicle-based media system to capture the output audio content; (d) identifying reference audio content that has at least a threshold extent of similarity with the captured audio content; (e) identifying a geographic location associated with the identified reference audio content; and (f) based at least on the identified geographic location associated with the identified reference audio content, outputting, via the user interface of the vehicle-based media system, a prompt to navigate to the identified geographic location.

Abstract: A computer system can estimate preparation times associated with items offered by a plurality of entities to manage a service over a given geographic region. The computer system can receive, from a user device of a user, a request that indicates a user selection of a first set of one or more items to be provided by a first entity and a second set of one or more items to be provided by a second entity. The network system can determine a route of travel for a service provider to navigate in fulfilling the request. The route of navigation can be determined based at least in part on a first set of preparation timing information associated with the first set of one or more items and a second set of preparation timing information associated with the second set of one or more items.

Abstract: A driving assistance systems, methods, and programs are capable of communicating with a route guidance system that searches for a planned travel route of a vehicle and provides guidance on the planned travel route. The systems, methods, and programs accept, as input, the planned travel route from the route guidance system as a route for driving assistance and provide driving assistance of the vehicle on the route for driving assistance. The systems, methods, and programs accept, as input, when the planned travel route whose guidance is provided by the route guidance system no longer matches the route for driving assistance, the planned travel route from the route guidance system.

Abstract: A system for determining airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) installation angles includes an airborne platform, a light detection and ranging (lidar) apparatus, a navigation system and a processor. The airborne platform performs a calibration flight in an orbit. The lidar apparatus is installed on the airborne platform for wind-velocity measurement. The navigation system is on board the airborne platform and measures motion data associated with movements of the airborne platform and generates a navigation signal. The processor determines in real time one or more installation angles of the lidar apparatus on the airborne platform to improve accuracy of the wind-velocity measurement.