Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicle and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the condition of components for salvage following a collision or other loss-event. To this end, the information regarding a plurality of components may be received. A component of the plurality of components may be identified for assessment. Assessment may including causing test signals to be sent to the identified component. In response to the test signal, one or more responses may be received. The received response may be compared to an expected response to determine whether the identified component is salvageable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining risk associated with operation of autonomous vehicles using autonomous communication are provided. According to certain aspects, autonomous operation features associated with a vehicle may be determined, including features associated with autonomous communication between vehicles or with infrastructure. This information may be used to determine risk levels for a plurality of features, which may be based upon test data regarding the features or actual loss data. Expected use levels and autonomous communication levels may further be determined and used with the risk levels to determine a total risk level associated with operation of the vehicle. The autonomous communication levels may indicate the types of communications, the levels of communication with other vehicles or infrastructure, or the frequency of autonomous communication. The total risk level may be used to determine or adjust aspects of an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control, routing, and automatic feature adjustment are disclosed. Sensors associated with autonomous operation features may be utilized to search an area for missing persons, stolen vehicles, or similar persons or items of interest. Sensor data associated with the features may be automatically collected and analyzed to passively search for missing persons or vehicles without vehicle operator involvement. Search criteria may be determined by a remote server and communicated to a plurality of vehicles within a search area. In response to which, sensor data may be collected and analyzed by the vehicles. When sensor data generated by a vehicle matches the search criteria, the vehicle may communicate the information to the remote server.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing trip-based insurance policies for vehicles. According to aspects, a trip-based insurance policy of a vehicle specifies an amount of trip units for insured vehicle travel and has an associated policy term. In certain cases, a customer may exhaust trip units before an expiration of the policy term. The methods and systems therefore enable the purchase of additional trip units so that the customer remains insured. In other cases, upon expiration of the policy term, an insurance provider may calculate an amount of unused trip units. The insurance provider may determine one or more types of credit that are based on the amount of unused trip units. The insurance provider may also apply the one or more types of credit to an account of the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the robustness of autonomous systems, including the use of virtual assessment of software components within a simulated environment. To this end, a server may retrieve one or more routines associated with autonomous operation. The server may also generate a set of test data associated with test conditions. The server may also execute an emulator that virtually simulates autonomous environment. The test data may be presented to the routines executing in the emulator to generate output data. The server may then analyze the output data to determine a quality metric.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of updating an auto insurance policy is provided. The method may include (1) determining that a customer's mobile device has a Telematics Application (“App”) installed on it, the Telematics App configured to (i) receive telematics data associated with another vehicle via a wireless communication broadcast; (ii) determine a travel event from analysis of the telematics data received, and (iii) generate a corrective action based upon the telematics data received or travel event determined that alleviates the risk of vehicle collision. The method may also include (2) monitoring, with the customer's permission, an amount or percentage of usage of the Telematics App on the customer's mobile device while the customer is driving in an insured vehicle; and (3) adjusting an insurance policy premium or discount based upon usage of the Telematics App to facilitate rewarding risk-averse drivers and encourage usage of risk mitigation or prevention technology.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Malfunctions may be detected by receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors. One of these sensors may be selected for assessment. An electronic device may obtain from the selected sensor a set of signals. When the set of signals includes signals that are outside of a determined range of signals associated with proper functioning for the selected sensor, it may be determined that the selected sensor is malfunctioning. In response, an action may be performed to resolve the malfunction and/or mitigate consequences of the malfunction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use and determining risks associated with operation of a vehicle having one or more autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data may be recorded during operation of the vehicle. This may include information regarding the vehicle, the vehicle environment, use of the autonomous operation features, and/or control decisions made by the features. The control decisions may include actions the feature would have taken to control the vehicle, but which were not taken because a vehicle operator was controlling the relevant aspect of vehicle operation at the time. The operating data may be recorded in a log, which may then be used to determine risk levels associated with vehicle operation based upon risk levels associated with the autonomous operation features. The risk levels may further be used to adjust an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the robustness of autonomous systems, including the use of virtual assessment of software components within a simulated environment. To this end, a server may retrieve one or more routines associated with autonomous operation. The server may also generate a set of test data associated with test conditions. The server may also execute an emulator that virtually simulates autonomous environment. The test data may be presented to the routines executing in the emulator to generate output data. The server may then analyze the output data to determine a quality metric.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. A computing device may receive data for the same road segment from autonomous vehicles, including (i) an indication of a location within the road segment, and (ii) an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may generate, from the data for the same road segment, an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a computing device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the computing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use and determining risks associated with operation of a vehicle having one or more autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data may be recorded during operation of the vehicle. This may include information regarding the vehicle, the vehicle environment, use of the autonomous operation features, and/or control decisions made by the features. The control decisions may include actions the feature would have taken to control the vehicle, but which were not taken because a vehicle operator was controlling the relevant aspect of vehicle operation at the time. The operating data may be recorded in a log, which may then be used to determine risk levels associated with vehicle operation based upon risk levels associated with the autonomous operation features. The risk levels may further be used to adjust an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control, routing, and automatic feature adjustment are disclosed. Sensors associated with autonomous operation features may be utilized to search an area for missing persons, stolen vehicles, or similar persons or items of interest. Sensor data associated with the features may be automatically collected and analyzed to passively search for missing persons or vehicles without vehicle operator involvement. Search criteria may be determined by a remote server and communicated to a plurality of vehicles within a search area. In response to which, sensor data may be collected and analyzed by the vehicles. When sensor data generated by a vehicle matches the search criteria, the vehicle may communicate the information to the remote server.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for providing insurance comprises receiving a plurality of vehicle data including a start point, an end point and a frequency value. The method further comprises analyzing the plurality of vehicle data to determine a driving route associated with the vehicle. The method also comprises determining, based on the frequency value, that the driving route is a common driving route and a risk level of the common driving route. The method further comprises processing one or more insurance options, including pricing and underwriting, based at least in part on the risk level of the common driving route.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing trip-based insurance policies for vehicles. According to aspects, a trip-based insurance policy of a vehicle specifies an amount of trip units for insured vehicle travel and has an associated policy term. In certain cases, a customer may exhaust trip units before an expiration of the policy term. The methods and systems therefore enable the purchase of additional trip units so that the customer remains insured. In other cases, upon expiration of the policy term, an insurance provider may calculate an amount of unused trip units. The insurance provider may determine one or more types of credit that are based on the amount of unused trip units. The insurance provider may also apply the one or more types of credit to an account of the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. A computing device may receive data for the same road segment from autonomous vehicles, including (i) an indication of a location within the road segment, and (ii) an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may generate, from the data for the same road segment, an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a computing device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of updating an auto insurance policy is provided. The method may include (1) determining that a customer's mobile device has a Telematics Application (“App”) installed on it, the Telematics App configured to (i) receive telematics data associated with another vehicle via a wireless communication broadcast; (ii) determine a travel event from analysis of the telematics data received, and (iii) generate a corrective action based upon the telematics data received or travel event determined that alleviates the risk of vehicle collision. The method may also include (2) monitoring, with the customer's permission, an amount or percentage of usage of the Telematics App on the customer's mobile device while the customer is driving in an insured vehicle; and (3) adjusting an insurance policy premium or discount based upon usage of the Telematics App to facilitate rewarding risk-averse drivers and encourage usage of risk mitigation or prevention technology.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use and determining risks associated with operation of a vehicle having one or more autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, operating data may be recorded during operation of the vehicle. This may include information regarding the vehicle, the vehicle environment, use of the autonomous operation features, and/or control decisions made by the features. The control decisions may include actions the feature would have taken to control the vehicle, but which were not taken because a vehicle operator was controlling the relevant aspect of vehicle operation at the time. The operating data may be recorded in a log, which may then be used to determine risk levels associated with vehicle operation based upon risk levels associated with the autonomous operation features. The risk levels may further be used to adjust an insurance policy associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous electric vehicles may be automatically recharged by routing the vehicles to available charging stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A charge level of the battery of an autonomous electric vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a recharging threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to recharge may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a charging station, recharge the battery, and return to its starting location in order to recharge when not in use.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of using telematics data associated with an originating vehicle at a destination vehicle is provided. The method may include receiving telematics data associated with the originating vehicle by (1) a mobile device or (2) a smart vehicle controller associated with a driver or vehicle. The mobile device or smart vehicle controller may analyze the telematics data received to determine that (i) a travel event exists, or (ii) that a travel event message or warning is embedded within the telematics broadcast received. If the travel event exits, the method may include automatically taking a preventive or corrective action, at or via the mobile device or smart vehicle controller, which alleviates a negative impact of the travel event on the driver or vehicle to facilitate safer or more efficient vehicle travel. Insurance discounts may be provided to insureds based upon their usage of the risk mitigation or prevention functionality.