Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for estimating wheel torque in an autonomous vehicle include a method for controlling a vehicle includes using a dual filter framework to generate an updated estimate of a wheel torque, and controlling, based on the updated estimate of the wheel torque, the vehicle. A first filter of the dual filter framework is configured to generate a blended estimate of the wheel torque by combining a first estimate of the wheel torque that is generated based on a set of mechanical torque transfer models of at least a powertrain and a brake of the vehicle and a second estimate of wheel torque that is generated based on an inverted longitudinal dynamic model, and a second non-linear filter of the dual filter framework is configured to generate the updated estimate of a wheel torque and vehicle velocity based on a torque delivery damping process model on vehicle motion.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for operating a rear-facing perception system for vehicles are described. An exemplary rear-facing perception system contains two corner units and a center unit, with each of the two corner units and the center unit including a camera module and a dual-band transceiver. A method for operating the rear-facing perception system includes pairing with a control unit by communicating, using the dual-band transceiver, over at least a first frequency band, transmitting a first trigger signal to the two corner units over a second frequency band non-overlapping with the first frequency band, and switching to an active mode. In an example, the first trigger signal causes the two corner units to switch to the active mode, which includes orienting the camera modules on the center unit and the two corner units to provide an unobstructed view of an area around a rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects an approaching emergency vehicle by performing a plurality of types of analysis of signals output by sensors in the vehicle. Each type of analysis generates a different prediction that indicates a likelihood of a proximity of an emergency vehicle to the autonomous vehicle. The predictions are processed and fused to generate a determination that indicates whether an emergency vehicle is proximate to the autonomous vehicle. In response to the determination indicating the emergency vehicle is proximate, the autonomous vehicle performs an action.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating an AV includes receiving, by a computer located in the AV, sensor data that indicates a condition of one or more devices in the AV or of a roadway on which the autonomous vehicle is operating; and causing, by the computer and based on the sensor data, the autonomous vehicle to operate in accordance with a maneuver by sending instructions to one or more devices in the autonomous vehicle, wherein the maneuver is configured to bring the autonomous vehicle to a complete stop. In some embodiments, the maneuver may be selected from a plurality of maneuvers in response to determining an occurrence of a fault condition based on the sensor data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting trailer angle are provided. In one aspect, an in-vehicle control system includes an optical sensor configured to be mounted on a tractor so as to face a trailer coupled to the tractor, the optical sensor further configured to generate optical data indicative of an angle formed between the trailer and the tractor. The system further includes a processor and a computer-readable memory in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to receive the optical data from the optical sensor, determine at least one candidate plane representative of a surface of the trailer visible in the optical data based on the optical data, and determine an angle between the trailer and the tractor based on the at least one candidate plane.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for lane marking localization that may be utilized by autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles traveling within the lane. In the embodiment, the system comprises a locating device adapted to determine the vehicle's geographic location; a database; a region map; a response map; a camera; and a computer connected to the locating device, database, and camera, wherein the computer is adapted to: receive the region map, wherein the region map corresponds to a specified geographic location; generate the response map by receiving information form the camera, the information relating to the environment in which the vehicle is located; identifying lane markers observed by the camera; and plotting identified lane markers on the response map; compare the response map to the region map; and generate a predicted vehicle location based on the comparison of the response map and region map.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) security system comprising an autonomous vehicle (AV) having a vehicle sensor subsystem, vehicle drive subsystems, an in-vehicle control computer, and vehicle drive subsystems comprising an actuator mechanism configured to receive one or more commands, from an oversight system, for extending or retracting a stairs assembly, where the oversight system transmits the one or more commands to the autonomous control subsystem based on determining a risk of hijacking the AV.

Abstract: A system for granting access to an autonomous vehicle comprises the autonomous vehicle, a control device, and a communication device associated with the autonomous vehicle. The communication device receives a signal from a device associated with a user that indicates the user requests the autonomous vehicle to pull over. The control device pulls the autonomous vehicle over to a side of road traveled by the autonomous vehicle. The control device receives a credential associated with the user. The control device determines whether the credential is verified. In response to determining that the credential is verified, the control device grants the user to access the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods related to direct and indirect methods for detecting wind speed and direction during driving. An example method may include estimating, by a processor of a vehicle controller, a speed and a direction of wind movement near the vehicle based on a first sensor output from a wind sensor, or a second sensor output from a non-wind sensor, or a combination of the first sensor output and the second sensor output, wherein a primary purpose of the wind sensor is wind detection, and a primary purpose of the non-wind sensor is different from wind detection, and generating a control output indicative of a vehicle disturbance force resulting from the wind based on the estimated speed and direction of the wind movement.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to perform safe driving operations. An example method includes detecting that a motorcycle is operating on a roadway on which the autonomous vehicle is located. The method further includes classifying a behavior state of the motorcycle based on a location of the motorcycle relative to a split zone that extends between and into two adjacent lanes of the roadway. The behavior state indicates whether the motorcycle is lane splitting. The method further includes determining, based on the behavior state of the motorcycle, a lane permission parameter that controls whether a given trajectory for the autonomous vehicle can extend into one of the two adjacent lanes. The method further includes causing the autonomous vehicle to operate in accordance with a trajectory that satisfies the lane permission parameter based on transmitting instructions related to the trajectory to subsystems of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for improving safety with parking brake actuation. In particular, embodiments inhibit or allow parking brake commands based on an operation state of a vehicle. Further, embodiments act on parking brake commands based on a health or condition of the parking brakes themselves. An example method for autonomous operation of a vehicle includes receiving a command to apply a parking brake of the vehicle; determining a vehicle operation state based on comparing a speed of the vehicle to a range of pre-determined values; configuring an instruction for engagement of the parking brake according to the vehicle operation state; determining a brake health of the parking brake; and transmitting the instruction to the parking brake to cause the parking brake to be engaged based on the brake health satisfying one or more thresholds.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining whether snow chains are permitted to be used and to deploy snow chains based on traffic signs, weather conditions, and/or road conditions. An example method of autonomous driving operation includes performing a first determination, by a computer located in an autonomous vehicle, whether a use of snow chains is permitted based at least on a location where the autonomous vehicle is operating, performing a second determination that snow chains are required for driving the autonomous vehicle on a road, and sending, in response to the first determination indicating that the use of snow chains is permitted and in response to the second determination, instruction to snow chain devices located on the autonomous vehicle, where the instruction triggers the snow chain devices to deploy snow chains on tires of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of landing pads is sized and shaped to accommodate an AV. Landing pad sensor(s) are located in or around each landing pad. A control subsystem receives landing pad sensor data from the one or more landing pad sensors and receives, from a first AV traveling to a location of the plurality of landing pads, a request for an assigned landing pad in which the first AV should park. In response to this request, the control subsystem determines, based on the received landing pad sensor data, whether a first landing pad is free of obstructions that would prevent receipt of the first AV. If the first landing pad is free of obstructions, an indication is provided to the AV that the first landing pad is the assigned landing pad.

Abstract: A system installed in a vehicle includes a first group of sensing devices configured to allow a first level of autonomous operation of the vehicle; a second group of sensing devices configured to allow a second level of autonomous operation of the vehicle, the second group of sensing devices including primary sensing devices and backup sensing devices; a third group of sensing devices configured to allow the vehicle to perform a safe stop maneuver; and a control element communicatively coupled to the first group of sensing devices, the second group of sensing devices, and the third group of sensing devices. The control element is configured to: receive data from at least one of the first group, the second group, or the third group of sensing devices, and provide a control signal to a sensing device based on categorization information indicating a group to which the sensing device belongs.

Abstract: A method of lane detection for a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs is disclosed. The one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the following steps comprising: generating a ground truth associated with lane markings expressed in god's view; receiving features from at least one of a hit-map image and a fitted lane marking, wherein the hit-map image includes a classification of pixels that hit a lane marking, and the fitted lane marking includes pixels optimized based on the hit-map image; and training a confidence module based on the features and the ground truth, the confidence module configured to determine on-line whether a fitted lane marking is reasonable, using parameters that express a lane marking in an arc.

Abstract: A power management system is disclosed for managing power in a vehicle. The system may include a power distribution unit (PDU) communicably coupled to a power controller unit located in the vehicle. The power controller unit comprises a microcontroller configured to: receive, from the PDU, a temperature value that indicates a temperature of the PDU, one or more voltage values from the one or more voltage sensors, or one or more current values from the one or more current sensors, perform a determination that the temperature value, the one or more voltage values, or the one or more current values are below one or more of their respective pre-determined threshold values, and send, after the determination, a health status message to a computer located in the vehicle, where the health status message indicates that the PDU is operating in a safe operating condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera mounting apparatus for a vehicle that attaches the camera to the vehicle, isolates the camera from vibration at the mounting points, and accommodates thermal expansion and contraction of the vehicle and the mounting structure. The apparatus includes a camera mounting beam coupled to the camera, and one or more elastomeric vibration isolators coupled to an attachment device and coupled to the camera mounting beam. The apparatus also includes a spherical bearing coupled to the attachment device, wherein the spherical bearing is configured to accommodate misalignment of the attachment device, and one or more spring washers to generate a force holding the one or more elastomeric vibration isolators and spherical bearing in positions.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system and method for iterative lane marking localization that may be utilized by autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles traveling within the lane. In an embodiment, the system comprises a locating device adapted to determine the vehicle's geographic location; a database; a region map; a response map; a plurality of cameras; and a computer connected to the locating device, database, and cameras, wherein the computer is adapted to receive the region map, wherein the region map corresponds to a specified geographic location; generate the response map by receiving information from the camera, the information relating to the environment in which the vehicle is located; identifying lane markers observed by the camera; and plotting identified lane markers on the response map; compare the response map to the region map; and iteratively generate a predicted vehicle location based on the comparison of the response map and the region map.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomous vehicle control to minimize energy cost are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: generating a plurality of potential routings and related vehicle motion control operations for an autonomous vehicle to cause the autonomous vehicle to transit from a current position to a desired destination; generating predicted energy consumption rates for each of the potential routings and related vehicle motion control operations using a vehicle energy consumption model; scoring each of the plurality of potential routings and related vehicle motion control operations based on the corresponding predicted energy consumption rates; selecting one of the plurality of potential routings and related vehicle motion control operations having a score within an acceptable range; and outputting a vehicle motion control output representing the selected one of the plurality of potential routings and related vehicle motion control operations.

Abstract: A system and method for generating simulated vehicles with configured behaviors for analyzing autonomous vehicle motion planners are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: obtaining configuration instructions and data for each of a plurality of simulated vehicles, a specific driving behavior for each of the plurality of simulated vehicles corresponding to perception data obtained from perception data sensors; and generating a plurality of trajectories and acceleration profiles to transition each of the plurality of simulated vehicles from a current position and speed to a corresponding target position and target speed, the target position and the target speed corresponding to the specific driving behavior for each of the plurality of simulated vehicles.