Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for evaluating digital map quality. A process includes steps for receiving change data indicating one or more feature discrepancies associated with one or more geographic regions of a digital map, analyzing the change data to determine which of the one or more feature discrepancies resulted in verified updates to the digital map, and generating a quality score for each of the geographic map regions based on the verified updates. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising identifying at least one of a characteristic and an identity of an item for delivery from an origin to a destination; identifying a plurality of possible routes between the origin and the destination using mapping information, the mapping information including for each of the plurality of possible routes, a characterization of each of a plurality of route segments comprising the possible route; evaluating the plurality of possible routes in view of the identified at least one of the item characteristic and the item identity to select one of the plurality of possible routes; and providing the selected one of the plurality of possible routes to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle delivers the item from the origin to the destination via the identified route.

Abstract: A computing system with a data store including storage priorities each associated with a different predefined event type. The storage priority indicating a likelihood detection of the predefined event type by an autonomous vehicle causes the autonomous vehicle to store sensor system output from a sensor system in the autonomous vehicle. The computing system can receive a data storage request indicating a request for the autonomous vehicle to store sensor system output for a specific predefined event type. The computing system can further update the storage priorities. Updating the storage priorities includes updates a storage priority associated with the specific predefined event type based on a parameter of specific predefined event type. The computing yet further can transmit the updated storage priorities to the autonomous vehicle which causes the autonomous vehicle to change the amount of sensory system output stored by the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing secure Ethernet transmissions. In some aspects, an autonomous vehicle system is provided and can include a first system-on-chip being configured to provide data to a second system-on-chip via an Ethernet harness, a first switch being configured to: receive the data from the first system-on-chip, and provide the data to a first transceiver for transmission to the second system-on-chip, the first switch being configured to provide first transmission data to the first transceiver and to prohibit receipt of retrieval data from the second system-on-chip, and the first transceiver configured to communicate with the second system-on-chip via the Ethernet harness.

Abstract: A method for communication between autonomous vehicles and personnel can include receiving a signal from a remote computing system, the signal based upon a position of an autonomous vehicle and a first position of a mobile device, wherein the signal identifies that the mobile device is located in a path of the autonomous vehicle, responsive to receipt of the signal from the remote computing system, stopping the autonomous vehicle, receiving an updated signal from the remote computing system, the updated signal based upon a second position of the mobile device, the second position effective to facilitate a determination that the mobile device is no longer within the path of the autonomous vehicle, and responsive to receiving the updated position of the mobile device, resuming operation of the autonomous vehicle along the path. An autonomous vehicle and non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provided.

Abstract: A trip energy estimation system includes a memory and a control module. The memory stores average traffic speed, average traffic acceleration, driver speed, and driver acceleration data. The control module executes an algorithm to estimate an amount of energy for an electric vehicle to travel between two locations. The algorithm includes: determining, based on the average traffic speed data and the average traffic acceleration data, a baseline amount of energy for the electric vehicle to travel between the two locations; determining, based on the driver speed data and the driver acceleration data, a dynamic amount of energy corresponding to at least one of stop and go events, over speeding, or under speeding; and determining a total amount of energy based on the baseline amount of energy and the dynamic amount of energy. The control module, based on the total amount of energy, performs an operation including indicating a trip estimate.

Abstract: An accessory power system includes an accessory power module having primary power switches, a transformer, and secondary rectifiers. The primary power switches are electrically connected to the high-voltage bus, and the secondary rectifiers are electrically connected to the low-voltage bus. A peak detector is coupled to the high-voltage bus. A controller is in communication with the peak detector circuit, and operatively connected to the primary power switches. The controller dynamically monitors, via the peak detector circuit, a ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus, compares the monitored voltage with a maximum threshold voltage, and disables the plurality of primary power switches when the ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus is greater than the maximum threshold voltage, and reactivates the primary power switches when the ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus is less than the maximum threshold voltage.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for detecting proper use of a seatbelt in a vehicle. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for receiving, from a sensor, image data of one or more portions of a seatbelt. The process can further include steps for determining a length of the seatbelt that is dispensed based on the image data and determining if the seatbelt is buckled in front of a passenger's body based on the length of the seatbelt that is dispensed. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for enabling an autonomous vehicle to provide road assistance to a vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can analyze sensor data about the vehicle captured by one or more of its sensors as it navigates a route. Based on the analysis of the sensor data, the autonomous vehicle can determine that the vehicle needs maintenance. The autonomous vehicle can proactively send a request, based on the determination, to initiate a towing mechanism to tow the vehicle. Based on receiving an acceptance of the request from the vehicle, the autonomous vehicle can activate the towing mechanism.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crankshaft for an internal combustion engine with a plurality of journals having a hardened case with a first microstructure. The crankshaft is comprised of a steel comprising between about 0.3 wt % and 0.77 wt % Carbon. The first microstructure of the hardened case of the journals comprises between about 15% and 30% ferrite and a balance of martensite and the resultant subsurface residual stress between 310 MPa and 620 MPa.

Abstract: A method for a video communication system for a rideshare system includes conducting at least a portion of a video communication session involving a passenger using at least one exterior audio/video component on an exterior surface of an AV dispatched to a designated location; and transferring the video communication session to at least one interior audio/video component on an interior of the AV.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for child-friendly authentication for autonomous vehicle rides. In particular, systems and methods are provided for offering alternative authentication methods that automatically engage child-friendly features. The systems and methods provided enable unsupervised children to take advantage of autonomous rideshare and delivery programs using child-friendly authentication methods. Additionally, augmented autonomous vehicle safety and security practices for children are provided.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for managing the configuration of vehicles. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps of receiving a first vehicle identifier for a first vehicle, wherein the first vehicle is associated with a first vehicle platform, identifying a first configuration for the first vehicle platform based on the first vehicle identifier, receiving a second vehicle identifier for a second vehicle, wherein the second vehicle is associated with a second vehicle platform, and wherein the first vehicle platform is different from the second vehicle platform, and identifying a second configuration for the second vehicle platform based on the second vehicle identifier, wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle run on an identical software stack. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: An audio notification system for an autonomous vehicle (AV) determines that the AV is within range of a user and emits a sound though a speaker of the AV to notify that the user that the vehicle has arrived. The audio notification system may include a sensor for sensing that the user has accessed the AV, and turns off the sound in response to the user accessing the AV. The audio notification may be generated according to one or more audio options, e.g., volume, pitch, or audio pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for localized patterned surface hardening for light-weight alloys to increase wear resistance under lubricated contact is provided. The apparatus includes a first metallic structure and a second metallic structure. The second metallic structure includes a contact surface and is disposed in lubricated contact with the first metallic structure at the contact surface, wherein the second metallic structure is constructed with a lighter-than-steel material and wherein the contact surface includes a localized surface hardened pattern.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to presenting a 3-D representation of an object, which is captured in a 2-D image of the object in an environment in a 3-D simulation of the environment. The present technology can receive 3-D data representing the environment including image data of the object in the environment, and a label identifying the object. The present technology can further locate a position of the object in the 3-D simulation of the environment based on determining a depth and an orientation of the object in the environment based on a semantic database of attributes associated with the object, obtain a 3-D representation of the object from the semantic database of attributes associated with the object, and project the 3-D representation of the object into the 3-D simulation of the environment at the determined position for the object.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for diagnosing faults in a software stack by running a subset of processes of the software stack. An existence of a fault associated with running a software stack is determined. The software stack includes a plurality of dependent processes. An incrementing larger subset of the software stack is run according to one or more error thresholds associated with executing corresponding dependent processes in the incrementing larger subset. The incrementing larger subset includes an increasing number of processes of the plurality of dependent processes. One or more sources of the fault are diagnosed based on the running of the incrementing larger subset of the software stack.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling driver communication includes monitoring, via a plurality of on-vehicle subsystems, a vehicle state, an external environment state, and an in-cabin state via the plurality of on-vehicle subsystems; determining a driver workload score based upon the external environment state, the in-cabin state, and the vehicle state; receiving an incoming message; ranking the incoming message; determining a notification action for the incoming message based upon the driver workload score and the rank of the incoming message; and executing the notification action for the incoming message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting when a mobile device is left in a vehicle, and returning forgotten devices to owners. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for preventing mobile devices from being left in vehicles. In particular, sensors inside a vehicle as well as sensors on mobile devices can be used to identify when a mobile device remains in a vehicle after the owner has exited the vehicle and ended their trip. Systems and methods are provided for notifying the user of the forgotten device and intelligently returning the device to the user.

Abstract: An autonomous driving system for an autonomous vehicle includes a plurality of on-board autonomous sensors that sense data related to operation of the autonomous vehicle and a surrounding environment and an automated driving controller in electronic communication with the plurality of on-board autonomous sensors. The automated driving controller is instructed to receive an indication one or more of the plurality of on-board autonomous sensors are non-functional and a secondary autonomous sensor system including one or more replacement sensors are installed. The automated driving controller is instructed to verify the secondary autonomous sensor system based on a security check and perform a redundancy check between the one or more replacement sensors and the plurality of on-board autonomous sensors. In response to determining the one or more replacement sensors are valid based on the redundancy check, the automated driving controller operates the autonomous vehicle in a limp home mode.