Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a request to remotely operate a robotic assistant, the robotic assistant including at least one sensor configured to collect data associated with an environment around the robotic assistant. The method also includes identifying a first teleoperations system to remotely operate the robotic assistant in response to the request, the first teleoperations system being one of a plurality of teleoperations systems, and assigning the first teleoperations system to remotely operate the robotic assistant. At least one privacy-related instruction is implemented with respect to the first teleoperations system.

Abstract: According to one aspect, methods to validate an autonomy system in conjunction with a teleoperations system are provided. A computing device obtains simulation data of an autonomous driving system of a vehicle. The simulation data includes first environment data representing an environment in which the vehicle is driven using the autonomous driving system. The computing device obtains teleoperations driving data of a teleoperations driving system by which the vehicle is remotely controlled with an aid of a human. The teleoperations driving data includes second environment data representing the environment in which the vehicle is driven using the teleoperations driving system. The computing device determines whether the autonomous driving system in conjunction with the teleoperations driving system meets a minimum deployment standard based on the simulation data and the teleoperations driving data.

Abstract: According to one aspect, methods for simulating operations of an autonomous vehicle in which latencies associated between various components of the autonomous vehicle are injected into a simulation for validating an autonomous driving system (autonomy system and/or simulation system) for driving a vehicle are provided. A computing device obtains simulation data that represents an environment in which a vehicle is driven for a predetermined time using an autonomous driving system. The computing device determines at least one latency amount associated with operating the vehicle using the autonomous driving system, based on characteristics of the simulation data and injects the at least one latency amount into the simulation data, forming a simulation scenario. The computing device validates the autonomous driving system for driving the vehicle using the simulation scenario.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a lidar system is a lidar system which includes one set of mechanical, e.g., optical, components, and two or more sets of electrical and/or software components. The beams which are provided by the optical components are effectively alternated between a first and second sets of electrical and/or software components. The redundancy provided by the first and second sets of electrical and/or software components allows the lidar system to remain operational in the event that one set of electrical and/or software components becomes non-operational.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining an input and identifying at least a first vehicle which is to be commanded to perform at least one diagnostics test. The method also includes providing a remote diagnostics command to the first vehicle, the remote diagnostics command configured to command the first vehicle to perform at least a first diagnostics test, wherein the first diagnostics test is performed by the first vehicle on at least a first system included on the first vehicle. The first vehicle is monitored during the first diagnostics test. Diagnostics data associated with the first diagnostics test is obtained from the first vehicle and processed to generate diagnostics for the first vehicle.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a request to remotely operate a robotic assistant, the robotic assistant including at least one sensor configured to collect data associated with an environment around the robotic assistant. The method also includes identifying a first teleoperations system to remotely operate the robotic assistant in response to the request, the first teleoperations system being one of a plurality of teleoperations systems, and assigning the first teleoperations system to remotely operate the robotic assistant. At least one privacy-related instruction is implemented with respect to the first teleoperations system.

Abstract: According to one aspect, methods to validate an autonomy system using scenes of various complexities are provided. A computing device obtains a plurality of scenes. Each of the plurality of scenes represents an environment in which a vehicle is driven for a predetermined time. The computing device determines a complexity of each of the plurality of scenes based on characteristics of a respective scene and at least one maneuver required from an autonomous driving system to drive the vehicle through the respective scene without a collision. The computing device calculates a complexity score for each of the plurality of scenes based on the complexity determined for the respective scene and validates the autonomous driving system for driving the vehicle using a subset of the plurality of scenes selected based on the complexity score.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a securement system configured to secure wheels of a vehicle against a surface, e.g., a surface on a transport vehicle, includes one or more locking mechanisms that are dynamically adjustable to engage the wheels. A locking mechanism may include mechanical structures such as prongs or fingers which are configured to apply forces to a wheel to effectively hold the wheel in place. The securement system may also include a bar arrangement which cooperates with the locking mechanisms to further constrain the movement of a vehicle that is secured to a surface using the securement system.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes identifying a condition relating to an impact on a vehicle by an object, the vehicle including at least one anchor mechanism, the at least one anchor mechanism configured to anchor the vehicle to a surface. The method also includes determining whether the condition indicates that the anchor mechanism is to be deployed, and deploying the anchor mechanism when it is determined that the condition indicates that the anchor mechanism is to be deployed.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle can include multiple low voltage power domains. Each low voltage power domain can comprise a low voltage power distribution unit (LVPDU). An LVPDU can include a failsafe switch that can selectively couple or de-couple the low voltage power domain from a shared backup low voltage power source, which can be configured to concurrently supply backup power multiple low voltage power domains or LVPDUs. A first LVPDU of a first low voltage power domain can generate a control signal to control the failsafe switch of a second LVPDU of the second low voltage power domain to disconnect the second low voltage power domain from the shared low voltage backup power source, and vice versa.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a chassis, a propulsion system carried on the chassis, a control system carried on the chassis, and a components arrangement carried on the chassis. The propulsion system configured to propel the vehicle, and the control system is configured to enable the vehicle to operate autonomously. The components arrangement includes at least a frame, a panel having a surface, a wiper arrangement having at least one wiper, and a fluid distribution arrangement. The frame is configured to interface with the chassis and to support the panel, the wiper arrangement, and the fluid distribution arrangement. The fluid distribution arrangement is configured to dispense a fluid onto the surface and the wiper is configured to sweep over the surface.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes hardware systems which receive relatively low voltage from a low voltage power distribution unit (LVPDU). An LVPDU includes a power source such as a DC-DC converter and a plurality of backup batteries. The plurality of backup batteries is configured to provide backup power to subsets of components arranged to effectively all be powered by the power source onboard the LVPDU. The backup batteries may be tested, substantially while LVPDU is being used to provide power. The backup batteries may be charged substantially in parallel.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a thermal system of a vehicle which provides cooling to within the vehicle, e.g., within a driver and passenger carrying cabin or compartment, is effectively leveraged to provide cooling capabilities to autonomous vehicle systems. Some coolant flowing through a coolant loop included in the thermal system of a vehicle may be diverted to an offshoot loop which provides cooling to coolant included in a coolant loop configured to cool autonomous vehicle systems, e.g., a compute system that is part of an autonomous vehicle. The coolant from the thermal system of the vehicle may flow past coolant from the coolant loop configured to cool autonomous vehicle systems, and the cooled coolant from the coolant loop configured to cool the autonomous vehicle systems may flow near the autonomous vehicle systems to cool the autonomous vehicle systems.

Abstract: Provided herein is an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle fleet comprising a plurality of electric autonomous vehicles for apportioned display of a media, operating autonomously and a fleet management module for coordination of the autonomous vehicle fleet. Each autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle comprising a screen configured to display the media. Activation, deactivation, brightness modification, in combination with specific media selection enables more efficient media display.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a first set of sensors, a second set of sensors, a sensor data aggregator that includes a first assembly and a second assembly, and a computing system. The first assembly is configured to obtain and to process a first set of sensor data from the first set of sensors, and the second assembly is configured to obtain and to process a second set of sensor data from the second set of sensors. The computing system is configured to obtain the first and second sets of sensor data processed by the sensor data aggregator, and to implement primary autonomy functionalities based on the first set of sensor data and the second set of sensor data, wherein the sensor data aggregator is configured to implement backup autonomy functionalities concurrently with the primary autonomy functionalities being implemented.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method for validating a vision system includes providing a vision testing medium at a first distance from the vision system, communicating a first information relating to the vision testing medium from the sensing apparatus to a first system, and displaying, using the first system, a rendering of the vision testing medium based on the first information. The method also includes obtaining, using the first system, at least a first indication of a visual acuity associated with the vision system, determining when the visual acuity at least meets a threshold level, and identifying the sensing apparatus as validated when the visual acuity at least meets the threshold level.

Abstract: According to one aspect, bandwidth associated with a vehicle communication network, such as a controller area network (CAN), is allocated by assigning priorities to systems in an autonomous vehicle which use the vehicle communication network to communicate with a vehicle control unit (VCU). Systems with high priority levels may exchange data or information with a VCU at substantially all times, while systems with lower priority levels may exchange data or information with the VCU substantially only when that data or information is requested or otherwise needed. A significant percentage of the bandwidth of the network may be allocated for the exchange of data between high priority systems and a VCU, while the remaining percentage of the bandwidth may be allocated for the exchange of data between lower priority systems and the VCU when needed. As a result, the bandwidth associated with the network may be used efficiently.

Abstract: A plurality of radar units is included in an overall radar module such that the plurality of radar units effectively cooperates to provide an approximately 360-degree field-of-view over a relatively long range. The overall radar module may include a ring-shaped printed circuit board, and a rim that includes multiple radar units positioned to substantially cover a 360-degree field-of-view. Radar units of the overall radar module may be grouped together such that two or more radar units may operate substantially synchronously, e.g., as a substantially single radar unit.

Abstract: According to one aspect, headlights of a vehicle are used to communicate information that may be understood by a user or other person in the vicinity of the vehicle. A method includes operating a vehicle and determining a status of the vehicle. The vehicle has a park gear arranged to be engaged to cause the vehicle to be in a parked state, and the vehicle includes a first optical assembly that has a first optical arrangement and a first optical controller. The method also includes causing the first optical arrangement to visually communicate a first indication, the first indication being arranged to indicate the status of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rapid deceleration mechanism for a vehicle is provided herein. The rapid deceleration mechanism decelerates a body of the vehicle traveling on a road surface. The rapid deceleration mechanism includes at least one bollard attached to the body and at least one energetics arrangement. The at least one energetics arrangement propels the at least one bollard from the body toward the road surface to decelerate the body such that at least one of a portion of the body or the at least one bollard is deformed.