Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a first laser pulse from a first laser device; initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a second laser pulse from a second laser device, wherein the initiating the second laser pulse is based on a phase shift angle; receiving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, first return data and second return data as a result of the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse; interleaving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the first return pulse and the second return pulse to form a point cloud; and controlling, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the vehicle based on the point cloud.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes at least one actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, or shifting, at least one sensor configured to emit a signal having a first encoding scheme and receive a return signal, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the actuator according to a first mode and a second mode. The controller is further configured to, in response to the sensor receiving a return signal having the first encoding scheme, control the actuator according to the first mode and, in response to the sensor receiving a return signal not having the first encoding scheme, control the actuator according to the second mode.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for calibrating vehicle cameras. In certain embodiments, a method includes obtaining a plurality of camera images from the camera based on a target positioned at a plurality of locations relative to the vehicle, wherein the target includes a plurality of dots arranged in rows and columns according to a random spacing, wherein the target further includes a plurality of enlarged dots arranged in an L shaped pattern in relation to a center of the target; estimating, by a processor, at least one of intrinsic parameters and extrinsic parameters based on the plurality of camera images; and storing, by a processor and in a data storage device, the at least one of intrinsic parameters and extrinsic parameters as calibration parameters associated with the camera.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a first laser pulse from a first laser device; initiating, by a controller onboard the vehicle, a second laser pulse from a second laser device, wherein the initiating the second laser pulse is based on a phase shift angle; receiving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, first return data and second return data as a result of the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse; interleaving, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the first return pulse and the second return pulse to form a point cloud; and controlling, by the controller onboard the vehicle, the vehicle based on the point cloud.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an emitter configured to emit a signal having a variable emission rate. The sensor also includes an actuator configured to periodically modify a direction of the signal. The actuator has a scan rate which varies within a period. The sensor additionally includes a detector configured to receive a return signal. The sensor further includes a controller in communication with the emitter, the actuator, and the detector. The controller is configured to control the emitter to emit an output signal, and to vary an emission rate of the output signal in response to variations in the scan rate.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes at least one actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, or shifting, at least one sensor configured to emit a signal having a first encoding scheme and receive a return signal, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the actuator according to a first mode and a second mode. The controller is further configured to, in response to the sensor receiving a return signal having the first encoding scheme, control the actuator according to the first mode and, in response to the sensor receiving a return signal not having the first encoding scheme, control the actuator according to the second mode.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an actuator configured to control vehicle steering, acceleration, speed, or shifting, a sensor configured to capture images of a region exterior to the vehicle, an illumination device coupled to the vehicle, and a controller in communication with the actuator, the sensor, and the illumination device. The controller is configured to, during a drive cycle, control the sensor to capture a first image with the illumination device emitting light and a second image with the illumination device not emitting light. The controller is additionally configured to calculate a difference image between the first image and the second image. The controller is further configured to control the actuator in a first mode in response to an object being detected in the difference image, and to control the actuator in a second mode in response to no object being detected in the difference image.