Abstract: A method is described and includes receiving an indication that a collision between a vehicle and an object is predicted; processing first sensor data obtained from a first onboard sensor of the vehicle to determine whether an actual occurrence of the predicted collision can be confirmed from the first sensor data and if not, processing second sensor data obtained from a second onboard sensor of the vehicle to determine whether the actual occurrence of the predicted collision can be confirmed from the second sensor data. If the actual occurrence of the predicted collision is confirmed from one of the first sensor data and the second sensor data, determining a severity of the collision based on the indication and the one of the first sensor data and the second sensor data; and prompting an action to be based on the determined severity of the collision.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for updating high definition maps based on low resolution map assets. In some aspects, a process of receiving a change detection relating to a change in the real world is provided. The process can include steps for receiving autonomous vehicle drive data based on the change in the real world, generating low resolution tile data based on the autonomous vehicle drive data based on the change in the real world, generating updated semantic data based on the low resolution tile data generated, and providing the updated semantic data to an autonomous vehicle to update a proximate area of the change in the real world of a base map of the autonomous vehicle. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus disclosed within provide a solution to problems associated with the use of either high frequency or low frequency radar signals. Methods of the present disclosure may transmit high frequency radar signals, transmit low frequency radar signals, receive reflected radar signals, and process the received radar signals using parameters respectively suited for processing high frequency and low frequency radar signals. Evaluations may be performed that allow an apparatus to adapt for limitations associated with the processing of high frequency radar data, the processing of low frequency radar data, or both. Different correlation functions may be performed that allow the apparatus to identify objects and to identify object velocities using different sets of program code instructions. These different evaluations and correlations may result in the generation of a set of “point-cloud” information that may be used by other processes of a sensing apparatus.

Abstract: Service disruption prevention through monitoring dynamic geofencing is disclosed. The present disclosure seeks to prevent (or drastically reduce the probability) mass vehicle recovery events due to fragile portions of the map. Tooling is used to actively monitor chokepoints and new avoidance areas. Comprised by the operational design domain (ODD), geofences are actively changed in response to the state of the chokepoints and avoidance areas. Varying states can be assigned to a plurality of geofences within the ODD, for example, if a geofence reaches a critical state, one or more areas can be cut off from the ODD.

Abstract: Assistance can be provided to AV users through projection of graphical figures. A system may receive a request for assistance from a user of an AV. The system assigns the request to an agent who can assist the user. The system further provides a graphical representation (e.g., an avatar) of the agent to a device that can project the graphical representation to the user. The user can have a conversation with the graphical representation, e.g., based on information provided by the agent. The system can also provide an audio filter to the device for modifying an audio content presented by the device so that the modified audio content appears as if it is made by the graphical representation. The device may be a part of the AV or a client device of the user that can present VR, AR, or MR content. The device may be mobile.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for enabling autonomous vehicles to reason about similarities of features between drivable areas. A process of the disclosed technology can include receiving first sensor data corresponding with a first roadway segment, receiving second sensor data corresponding with a second roadway segment, encoding the first sensor data into a first vector, wherein the first vector represents a first roadway characteristic associated with the first roadway segment, encoding the second sensor data into a second vector, wherein the second vector represents a second roadway characteristic associated with the second roadway segment, and determining a similarity between the first roadway segment and the second roadway segment based on the first vector and the second vector.

Abstract: A map database stores data describing a set of connected roadways, each having one or more lanes. A coverage system selects lanes from the map database along which AVs can stop, such as parking lanes. The coverage system generates buffer regions for each of the stopping lanes, where each buffer region includes an area within a given distance of the respective lane. The coverage system combines the buffer regions to generate a coverage area, and provides a display of the coverage area overlayed over a map of roads corresponding to the coverage area.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to identifying road surface features and underground features using a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) sensor. The present technology may include activating the GPR sensor on a vehicle to transmit a pulsed electromagnetic signal toward a ground surface. The present technology may also include receiving the pulsed electromagnetic signal reflected from the road surface features and underground features by the GPR sensor. The present technology may also include filtering the pulsed electromagnetic signal to generate a shallow-GPR data or deep-GPR data, wherein the shallow-GPR data is used to identify the road surface features and the deep-GPR is used to identify the underground features. The present technology may also include adjusting operational parameters based on at least one of the road surface features and the underground features.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology provide solutions for improving object detection and in particular, for improving object detection by an autonomous vehicle (AV) perceptions stack. In some aspects, a process of the disclosed technology can include steps for receiving first sensor data corresponding with an environment around the first vehicle, wherein the first sensor data represents one or more objects in the environment, receiving second sensor data corresponding with the environment around the first vehicle, and formulating a navigation route, by the first vehicle, based on the one or more occluded objects in the environment. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of providing rider service for an autonomous vehicle (AV) system, including operating an AV to provide a trip to a passenger; associating the passenger with a unique passenger identifier (UPID); receiving passenger metadata for the passenger according to the UPID; and responding to a rider service instance, comprising customizing the response according to the UPID and the passenger metadata.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a radar sensor system and a computing system that computes velocities of an object in a driving environment of the AV based upon radar data that is representative of radar returns received by the radar sensor system. The AV can be configured to compute a first velocity of the object based upon first radar data that is representative of the radar return from a first time to a second time. The AV can further be configured to compute a second velocity of the object based upon second radar data that includes at least a portion of the first radar data and further includes additional radar data representative of a radar return received subsequent to the second time. The AV can further be configured to control one of a propulsion system, a steering system, or a braking system to effectuate motion of the AV based upon the computed velocities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing autonomous chauffeur services. In particular, systems and methods are provided to integrate users' calendars with a ridehail application to provide personal chauffeur-type services. Integrating a ridehail service application with a user's calendar and online schedule enables the ridehail service to act as a personal around-the-clock chauffeur, with an autonomous vehicle appearing when needed and taking the user to their destination with no additional input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle hardware coverage testing are provided. For instance, a vehicle includes a memory to store a vehicle compute software and a hardware coverage test software associated with the vehicle compute software. The vehicle includes a timer configured based on a timer period and one or more processing units to execute the vehicle compute software using hardware resources of the one or more processing units. Responsive to an expiration of the timer, the one or more processing units execute the hardware coverage test software to test only the hardware resources used by the vehicle compute software and determine whether there is a failure associated with the hardware resources used by the vehicle compute software.

Abstract: The present technology is effective to cause at least one processor to collect sensor data from at least one sensor on an autonomous vehicle, wherein the sensor data includes a plurality of measurements from the at least one sensor, identify, from the sensor data, at least one measurement from the plurality of measurements that is outside a threshold measurement for the at least one sensor and is indicative of an impact incident, send the sensor data to a remote computing system, and receive, in response to the sending of the sensor data that is indicative of the impact incident, routing instructions from the remote computing system.

Abstract: Processing of a fractalet radio detection and ranging (RADAR) signal is described. A reference fractalet waveform is received. The fractalet waveform includes self-similar waveforms having lower frequency bands and frequency bands. A reflected fractalet waveform received via one or more antennae is decoded. A waveform profile of chirplet transforms of signals in the lower frequency bands within the reflected fractalet waveform are compared to the reference fractalet waveform. Time spans corresponding to the subset of lower frequency bands are determined. Signals from the higher frequency bands are extracted from the reflected fractalet waveform. Chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands are determined for the determined time spans. Spatial frequency components along azimuth direction and elevation directions are calculated for targets based on the chirplet transforms for the extracted signals from the higher frequency bands.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for providing destination recommendations and improving the user experience of autonomous vehicle riders using sentiment analysis. In some aspects, a process of the disclosed technology includes steps for receiving a ride request, at a computing system of an autonomous vehicle (AV), wherein the ride request comprises trip information that specifies a pick-up location associated with a user, navigating the AV to the pick-up location to provide ride service for the user, receiving in-cabin sensor data associated with the user, and analyzing the in-cabin sensor data to determine a sentiment score associated with the user. In some aspects, the process can further include steps for generating a destination recommendation based on the trip information and the sentiment score. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to causing presentation on a user interface of an immediate portion of a navigation route of an autonomous vehicle. A computing system of the autonomous vehicle determines whether an object detected by sensor(s) of the autonomous vehicle proximate to the immediate portion of the navigation route are of a type and relative position defined as one of consequential and inconsequential for a human passenger. In response to determining that an object has both a type and relative position defined as consequential, the computing system causes presentation on the user interface a representation of the object relative to the immediate portion of the navigation route to provide a confidence engendering indication that the autonomous vehicle has detected the object. Otherwise if inconsequential, presentation on the user interface of any representation of the object is not caused by the computing system to avoid creating a confusing presentation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an autonomous vehicle fitting room. In particular, systems and methods are provided for users to try ordered products in an autonomous vehicle at the time of delivery. Users can then take selected products from the autonomous vehicle and/or leave other products in the autonomous vehicle to be returned automatically. The autonomous vehicle can be configured to determine which products were taken and automatically charge a user account for these products.

Abstract: Systems and methods systems provide for client control over an Autonomous Vehicle (AV). The AV can determine sets of mechanical operations that it can take at a future time. The AV can determine a ranking for each of the sets of mechanical operations, including a first ranked set and at least one second ranked set. Client or user selection can be given a certain score, weight, or other value. The AV can apply the value to the second ranked set to determine an adjusted ranking. If the adjusted ranking outranks a ranking of the first ranked set, then the AV can expose the first ranked set and the second ranked set to a client interface. If the AV receives a selection of the second ranked set, the AV can perform that set of mechanical operations. Otherwise, the AV can perform the first ranked set of mechanical operations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for analyzing a traffic infrastructure element, determining reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element based on the analyzing of the traffic infrastructure element, comparing the reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element with semantic map information of the traffic infrastructure element, and providing instructions to an autonomous vehicle based on the comparing of the reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element with the semantic map information of the traffic infrastructure element.