Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products to enhance the situational competency of a vehicle, when operating at least partially in an autonomous mode, and/or the safe operation of a vehicle, when operating at least partially in an autonomous mode. Such systems, methods, and computer program products are to facilitate operation of a vehicle, when operating at least partially in an autonomous mode, in a multi-lane roadway environment to coordinate a change of lane of the autonomous vehicle from a first lane in which the autonomous vehicle is currently operating and a target lane change area of a second lane. Such coordination is to dynamically take into consideration several operational safety factors within the driving environment, including the presence of one or more vehicles in a third lane adjacent to the target lane area of the second lane and the geometric roadway design.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a recording device configured to record vehicle information in files. The recording device includes: an event information receiving unit configured to receive information about prescribed events; a tag providing unit configured to provide protection tags to the files, the protection tags being of different types according to magnitude of the events; and an overwriting setting unit configured to prohibit overwriting of the files provided with the protection tags of a same type in a case where the number of the files provided with the protection tags of the same type is within a prescribed upper limit number, and to permit the overwriting of the files provided with the protection tags of the same type in a case where the number of the files provided with the protection tags of the same type exceeds the upper limit number.

Abstract: A system for estimating the friction between a road surface and a tire of a vehicle includes at least one first sensor and at least one vehicle processing device containing a friction estimation algorithm which is arranged to estimate the friction between the road surface and the tire of the vehicle based on friction related measurements is provided. The vehicle processing device is arranged to: receive an estimate of the expected friction between the road surface and the tire of the vehicle from a central processing device, from a storage device in the vehicle, or from at least one second sensor in the vehicle; adapt the friction estimation algorithm based on said received estimate of the expected friction; receive at least one friction related measurement from the at least one first sensor in the vehicle; and use the adapted friction estimation algorithm to perform an estimation of the friction between the road surface and the tire of the vehicle based on the at least one friction related measurement.

Abstract: A processing platform may obtain sensor data associated with a vehicle and manual input data associated with the vehicle. The processing platform may determine, based on the sensor data, automated control information. The processing platform may determine, based on the sensor data and the manual input data, a parameter associated with the vehicle. The processing platform may determine, based on the automated control information, a control rating associated with the parameter. The processing platform may determine whether the control rating satisfies a threshold for a period of time. The processing platform may cause, based on determining that the control rating satisfies the threshold for the period of time, at least one action to be performed.

Abstract: An autonomous driving system configured to perform an autonomous driving of a vehicle includes a trigger input request unit configured to perform a trigger input request for requesting a driver of the vehicle to perform a trigger input for causing the vehicle to pass through a target point if the autonomously driving vehicle approaches the target point set in advance and positioned on a traveling route of the vehicle, a trigger input detection unit configured to detect the driver's trigger input, and a vehicle control unit configured to cause the vehicle to pass through the target point if the trigger input is detected, and causes the vehicle to decelerate and stop without passing through the target point if the trigger input is not detected.

Abstract: A method for providing location access management includes requesting access data from an access manager based on location data associated with a movable object, receiving the access data determining accessibility of one or more regions to the movable object, and sending the access data to the movable object via a connection to the movable object.

Abstract: A road surface detection device, which detects a road surface of a road on which a host vehicle runs, includes: a sensor configured to detect three-dimensional positional information at individual detection points by scanning a layer that includes the road surface; and an external environment recognition unit configured to calculate two-dimensional positional information in which positional information in a height direction has been removed from the positional information at the individual detection points included in the layer, to calculate, based on the two-dimensional positional information, a point sequence of the individual detection points in a two-dimensional coordinate plane, and to detect a trench existing in the road surface in accordance with a state of change of the point sequence.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards the interpretation of driver behavior and communication with autonomous vehicles and incentivizing drivers based on the driver's behavior. A computing device that sits on the dashboard of a vehicle includes at least one camera and circuitry. The computing device captures first images of the driver in the vehicle and second images of an area outside the vehicle. The computing device identifies another vehicle based on an analysis of the second images. The computing device determines a driving behavior of the driver based on an analysis of the first images. The computing device determines if the driving behavior satisfies a positive incentive threshold or a negative incentive threshold. The computing device selects and provides a positive or negative incentive to the driver in response to the driving behavior satisfying the positive incentive threshold or the negative incentive threshold, respectively.

Abstract: A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller sends signals to the brakes of the towed vehicle. The brake controller sends signals to determine whether the trailer brakes are properly connected. The signals may include a pulse train. The pulse train charges hydraulic braking systems for resistive testing. The brake controller determines whether the brakes are connected.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein examples of system and procedure for generating a model to be implemented within autonomous vehicles for identifying assertive vehicles at an intersection having stop indicators. The model can be generated via data-driven procedure where captures of the movement of vehicles through an intersection are analyzed and utilized for generating the model. The model may be provided to the autonomous vehicles and may be implemented by the autonomous vehicles for identifying assertive vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling operation of a Self-Driving Car (SDC) are disclosed. The method includes, at a first moment in time during an approach of the SDC to a crosswalk: identifying, an object-inclusion zone in proximity to the crosswalk, determining presence of an object in the object-inclusion zone, determining an interval of time for the object based on movement data of the object, using the interval of time and movement data of the SDC for determining operation-control data for controlling operation of the SDC, and assigning decision data to the object-inclusion zone indicative of a decision.

Abstract: Apparatus for configuring a mission automation and decision support system for an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a user interface and a computer-implemented module configured to: receive data representative of at least one task to be performed by the UAV, the task being defined by one or more decision points that correspond to system actions or responses that could result from respective specified mission information; for each decision point(s), request user inputs in response to questions, the questions being designed to determine an extent to which each system action or response can be automated and a respective level of mandated operator approval therefor; and allocate to each decision point a set of one or more corresponding automation levels, each automation level comprising data representative of a measure of automation to be applied at a respective decision point.

Abstract: System, methods, and embodiments described herein relate to receiving observation data from a reporting entity, the observation data including location data and sensor information associated with a subject vehicle, analyzing the observation data to identify ADR behavior of the subject vehicle, obtaining secondary observation data from secondary reporting entities in a vicinity determined based on the location data, determining, based at least in part on the secondary observation data, that the subject vehicle has engaged in the ADR behavior or that the subject vehicle has not engaged in the ADR behavior, analyzing the observation data and the secondary observation data, when the subject vehicle has been confirmed to have engaged in the ADR behavior, to determine a measure of effect that the ADR behavior has had on other vehicles, and executing a responsive action associated with the subject vehicle based at least in part on the measure of effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for generating position data including a processor which acquires position information of an antenna installed in a vehicle, generates position data of the vehicle based on the position information of the antenna, acquires information about change in an external appearance of the vehicle, and corrects the position data of the vehicle based on the information about the change in the external appearance of the vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a display, a support system, and an avionics system. The support system includes at least one operable component, where at least one of the support system and the at least one operable component is configured to operate with an operating value falling within a predefined normal operating range. The avionics system is programmed to: calculate a rate of change of a value of at least one of the support system and the at least one operable component; determine whether the value will exit a predetermined normal operating range within a predetermined time based on the rate of change of the value; and indicate on the display that the value is expected to exit the predetermined normal operating range. The avionics system can leverage this function to declutter displays, and then present additional information to the crew when a value is trending out of range.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an occupancy grid. The method includes generating a reference, such as a ray, on the occupancy grid. The ray originates from a location of a vehicle and extends in a direction that corresponds to a driving direction of the vehicle. The method includes identifying markers along the ray. The markers include transition markers, which indicate a first type of transition or a second type of transition. The first type of transition is from an unoccupied zone to an occupied zone. The second type of transition is from the occupied zone to the unoccupied zone. The method includes generating a representation of drivable space in real-time based on computations involving sections that are associated with the first type of transition and the second type of transition. The method includes providing guidance to the vehicle based on the representation of drivable space.

Abstract: A method for terrain and constraint planning a step plan includes receiving, at data processing hardware of a robot, image data of an environment about the robot from at least one image sensor. The robot includes a body and legs. The method also includes generating, by the data processing hardware, a body-obstacle map, a ground height map, and a step-obstacle map based on the image data and generating, by the data processing hardware, a body path for movement of the body of the robot while maneuvering in the environment based on the body-obstacle map. The method also includes generating, by the data processing hardware, a step path for the legs of the robot while maneuvering in the environment based on the body path, the body-obstacle map, the ground height map, and the step-obstacle map.

Abstract: An Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for detecting and communicating safety-related events to a safety server is provided. A network status of a communication network over which devices associated with the vehicle are communicating with the safety server is identified. The UAV receives metadata including at least location data from the devices when the network status of the communication network indicates low or unavailable connectivity that is hindering communication of the metadata to the safety server by the devices. The UAV processes the metadata and detects safety events associated with the vehicle. The UAV communicates the safety events to the safety server based on at least a safety criterion including detachment of the UAV from the vehicle when the UAV is unable to communicate with the safety server in its attached configuration with the vehicle due to network issues.

Abstract: In an approach, one or more computer processors determine that a user is in a vehicle. The one or more computer processors identify historical vehicle occupancy data of the user. The one or more computer processors monitor one or more driving metrics of the vehicle while the user is an occupant. The one or more computer processors determine whether a vehicle exceeds a threshold based, at least in part, on a comparison of the monitored one or more driving metrics and the identified historical vehicle occupancy data. The one or more computer processors determine an action based, at least in part, on the vehicle exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: The safe operation assistance device 200 includes: a connecting destination detecting section 259 that detects and manages a connection state between the safe operation assistance device 200 and a connecting destination device; a unique information setting section 251 that sets unique information identifying a vehicle type of an own vehicle according to the connecting destination device; a positional information acquisition section 257 that acquires positional information of the own vehicle; an own vehicle information management section 252 that manages the positional information and the unique information of the own vehicle; an inter-vehicle communication section 255 that transmits the own vehicle information to other vehicle and acquires other vehicle information; and a risk determination section 254 that determines presence or absence of a collision risk between the own vehicle and the other vehicle using the own vehicle information and the other vehicle information.