Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to routing an autonomous vehicle based upon risk of takeover of the autonomous vehicle by a human operator. A computing system receives an origin location and a destination location of the autonomous vehicle. The computing system identifies a route for the autonomous vehicle to follow from the origin location to the destination location based upon output of a computer-implemented model. The computer-implemented model is generated based upon labeled data indicative of instances in which autonomous vehicles are observed to transition from operating autonomously to operating based upon conduction by human operators while the autonomous vehicles are executing predefined maneuvers. The computer-implemented model takes, as input, an indication of a maneuver in the predefined maneuvers that is performed by the autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle follows a candidate route.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include receiving, by a computing system on an autonomous vehicle, local weather data and routing data of the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle including a sensor platform mounted on the autonomous vehicle. The method may include based on the local weather data and the routing data, predicting, by the computing system using a thermal model, a thermal loading and a temperature of a component(s) of a sensor platform at one or more future times, the thermal loading and the temperature being during an operation of the autonomous vehicle. The method may include sending an overheating warning to a controller of the autonomous vehicle based on a determination that the thermal loading or the temperature of the component(s) exceeds a threshold. The method may include reporting a degraded state of the autonomous vehicle to park prior to a predicted overheating of the component(s).

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to autonomous vehicle consumption of real-time public transportation data to guide curb access and usage. An autonomous vehicle receives a trip request for a ride specifying a requested pullover location. The autonomous vehicle receives public transportation data specifying an expected arrival time of a public transportation vehicle at a reserved zone within proximity of the requested pullover location. The autonomous vehicle evaluates availability of the reserved zone during an expected occupancy time of the reserved zone by the autonomous vehicle based on the expected arrival time of the public transportation vehicle at the reserved zone. The autonomous vehicle selects an actual pullover location for the ride in the autonomous vehicle based on the availability of the reserved zone during the expected occupancy time. The autonomous vehicle stops at the actual pullover location for the ride in the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to ways to improve route duration calculations e.g., estimated time of arrival (ETA) approximations, by taking consideration of reroute probabilities along a given vehicle path. In some aspects, the disclosed technology encompasses a process including steps for identifying a route between a first destination to a second destination, determining a reroute likelihood associated with at least one AV maneuver along the route, and calculating an estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on the reroute likelihood associated with at least one AV maneuver. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A method for generating shard data from a geographical area split into sections is proposed. The method uses data representative of a geographical area that is split into sections and data representative of semantic objects located in the geographical area. For each of the sections, semantic objects are searched that are located at least partly in a section. A shard data entry of the shard data is generated. The shard data entry includes one or more semantic objects found by the searching.

Abstract: A computed-implemented method is provided for creating a velocity grid using a simulated environment for use by an autonomous vehicle. The method may include simulating a road scenario with simulated objects, collecting first LiDAR data from simulated LiDAR sensors in the simulated road scenario, wherein the collected first LiDAR data comprises a first plurality of points that are representative of a first simulated object at a first 3D location and a first time. The method may also include transforming the first plurality of points from a simulated-scene frame-of-reference to a first simulated object frame-of-reference, and simulating the first simulated object to move from the first 3D location to a second 3D location within the simulated road scenario between the first time and a second time.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is described herein. The autonomous vehicle is configured to determine that a person is proximate the autonomous vehicle at a location that is external to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle is further configured to determine that the person is attempting to hail the autonomous vehicle through use of a gesture. The autonomous vehicle identifies the gesture being performed by the person, and responsive to identifying the gesture, identifies a travel intent that the person is imparting to the autonomous vehicle by way of the gesture. The autonomous vehicle then operates based upon the travel intent.

Abstract: A lamination system is contemplated. The system may have a modular design configured to fabricate a laminate from an incoming material. The system may be configured to produce the laminate with an outer layer comprising the incoming material such that the resulting layer has a width greater than a width of the incoming material prior to lamination.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preserving dynamic range in images. In some aspects, a process can include steps for receiving, at an autonomous vehicle system, image data from an image sensor, generating, by the autonomous vehicle system, a high dynamic range (HDR) output by performing HDR processing on the image data from the image sensor, generating, by the autonomous vehicle system, a least significant bit (LSB) output by performing LSB processing on the image data from the image sensor, and generating, by the autonomous vehicle system, an 8-bit output by performing a buffer process on the HDR output and the LSB output of the image sensor.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) uses an authentication system to verify that a person on the street attempting to control behavior of the AV is authorized to do so. An authorized person (e.g., a construction worker or a police officer) has an associated beacon that provides a beacon signal, such as a visual symbol or wireless signal. The AV perceives the beacon signal and transmits it to the authentication system. The authentication system looks up the beacon signal in a database and retrieves conditions associated with the beacon signal. If the authentication system and/or AV confirms that the beacon signal is in the database, and the conditions under which the person associated with the beacon signal is authorized to control the AV are met, the AV follows instructions from the person.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein examples of a vehicle container unit that may be mounted within a vehicle. The vehicle container unit may be mounted to a seat of a vehicle and may include space for transporting items within the vehicle container unit. The vehicle container unit may mount to the seat via an anchor system of the seat.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for adjusting an exposure setting. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for determining a localization parameter of an autonomous vehicle, the localization parameter including a geographic position of the autonomous vehicle, determining a region of interest based on the localization parameter of the autonomous vehicle, receiving a first image including the region of interest based on the localization parameter of the autonomous vehicle, determining an exposure setting for the region of interest in the first image, and adjusting an exposure setting of the first image to the exposure setting for the region of interest in the first image. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A method for replaying route data with annotation for re-display comprises: recording a recorded-route-replay by a first user of a first automobile vehicle and saving the recorded-route-replay to a website; electing to trigger playback of the recorded-route-replay by a second user of a second automobile vehicle and entering a predetermined key word by the second user to trigger playback; contacting a website and downloading from the website GPS tagged pictures for a predetermined next trip travel distance of the second automobile vehicle; and retrieving one of the GPS tagged pictures when a GPS trigger location is reached during the trip of the second automobile vehicle and displaying the one of the GPS tagged pictures on an image screen of a head-up display of second automobile vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for improving passenger drop-off functions implemented by an autonomous vehicle (AV). In some implementations, a process of the disclosed technology can include steps for collecting environmental data about an environment around an autonomous vehicle, wherein the environmental data comprises data pertaining to a roadway navigated by the autonomous vehicle, processing the environmental data to generate an area grid comprising a plurality of grid sections, and associating, based on the environmental data, one or more features with each of the plurality of grid sections. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor of a vehicle includes monitoring torque command signals from a vehicle system to the electric motor, each torque command signal configured to cause the electric motor to output a commanded torque, and monitoring a speed of the vehicle and an output torque of the electric motor, the output torque responsive to a drive signal generated based on the torque command signals. The method also includes, based on the output torque and the vehicle speed indicating a low motor efficiency condition, modulating the drive signal between a first torque value and a second torque value that is less than the first torque value, the first torque value greater than the commanded torque and selected to increase an efficiency of the electric motor.

Abstract: An example method for assisting autonomous vehicle (AV) riders reach their destination after drop-off can include navigating the AV to a drop-off location associated with a user in the AV, receiving sensor data from sensors associated with the AV, determining, based on the sensor data, an orientation of the user in the AV and a location of the AV relative to a final destination of the user, generating a recommendation for how to exit the AV at the drop-off location based on the orientation of the user in the AV and the location of the AV relative to the final destination of the user, and providing the recommendation via a display, a speaker, a light-emitting device, and/or a client device, the recommendation including a visual indication of an exit direction or an AV door to use to exit the AV, audio instructions for exiting the AV, and/or visual exit instructions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment having a roof structure having a front header, a pair of side headers and a rear header. A headliner is disposed beneath the roof structure. At least one inflatable bladder is disposed along at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header. The at least one inflatable bladder is connected to an inflator. A rib structure is disposed adjacent to the at least one inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder inflates to a maximum height of 12 cm below the at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header.

Abstract: A system for bypassing a torque converter in a powertrain is provided. The system includes a torque generating device including an output shaft and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly includes a transmission output shaft and a torque converter, a torque converter bypass shaft. The transmission assembly further includes a disconnect clutch selectively coupling the torque converter with the torque generating device and a torque converter clutch selectively coupling the torque converter bypass shaft with the torque generating device. Engaging the disconnect clutch and disengaging the torque converter clutch enables the torque generating device to transmit torque to the transmission output shaft through the torque converter. Engaging the torque converter clutch and disengaging the disconnect clutch enables the torque generating device to transmit torque to the transmission output shaft through the torque converter bypass shaft.

Abstract: Described herein are technologies relating to computing a likelihood of an operation-influencing event with respect to an autonomous vehicle at a geographic location. The likelihood of the operation-influencing event is computed based upon a prediction of a value that indicates whether, through a causal process, the operation-influencing event is expected to occur. The causal process is identified by means of a model, which relates spatiotemporal factors and the operation-influencing events.