Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is described herein. The autonomous vehicle comprises a first sensor and a second sensor having limited fields of view, an articulation system, and a computing system. The computing system determines a first region and a second region external to the autonomous vehicle based on a sensor prioritization scheme comprising a ranking of regions surrounding the autonomous vehicle. The computing system then causes the articulation system to orient the first sensor towards the first region and the second region towards the second region. Responsive to receiving a sensor signal from the first sensor indicating that an object has entered a field of view of the first sensor, the computing system determines a third region having a higher ranking than the second region within the sensor prioritization scheme. The computing system then causes the articulation system to orient the second sensor towards the third region.

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: 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: 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: Provided herein is a system comprising: one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the system to perform: identifying, in a map, one or more entities that change over time; predicting an amount of change of the identified one or more entities over time; and updating the map based on the predicted amount of change of the identified one or more entities over time.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle uses a secondary vehicle control system to supplement a primary vehicle control system to perform a controlled stop if an adverse event is detected in the primary vehicle control system. The secondary vehicle control system may use a redundant lateral velocity determined by a different sensor from that used by the primary vehicle control system to determine lateral velocity for use in controlling the autonomous vehicle to perform the controlled stop.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, operations may comprise accessing a set of vehicle poses of one or more vehicles; for each of the set of vehicle poses, accessing a high definition (HD) map of a geographical region surrounding the vehicle pose, with the HD map comprising a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the geographical region, determining a measure of constrainedness for the vehicle pose, with the measure of constrainedness representing a confidence for performing localization for the vehicle pose based on 3D structures surrounding the vehicle pose, and storing the measure of constrainedness for the vehicle pose; and for each of the geographical regions surrounding each of the set of vehicle poses, determining a measure of constrainedness for the geographical region based on measures of constrainedness of vehicle poses within the geographical region, and storing the measure of constrainedness for the geographical region.

Abstract: A management device includes a circuit. The circuit generates driving data of each of a plurality of areas, the driving data indicating a driving path in the area and causing a vehicle to autonomously drive along the driving path, while the vehicle is driving in each area, transmits driving data of an area next to the area to the vehicle via a base station of the area, and when driving data of a second area that is next to a first area is not transmitted to the vehicle via a base station of the first area while the vehicle is autonomously driving in the first area, after the vehicle has driven back to a previous area, transmits driving data of a different area that is located at a position from the previous area to a target spot to the vehicle via a base station of the previous area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a motion track applied to a terminal is provided. The method includes: obtaining a data set, the data set including positioning data obtained by positioning a target object; performing data fitting on target data in the data set to obtain a plurality of segments of first curves, the target data being positioning data obtained by performing noise filtering on the data set; and determining a motion track of the target object based on the plurality of segments of first curves. Counterpart apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium embodiments are also contemplated.

Abstract: An autonomous robot is provided. In one example embodiment, an autonomous robot can include a main body including one or more compartments. The one or more compartments can be configured to provide support for transporting an item. The autonomous robot can include a mobility assembly affixed to the main body and a sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with a surrounding environment of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a computing system configured to plan a motion of the autonomous robot based at least in part on the sensor data. The computing system can be operably connected to the mobility assembly for controlling a motion of the autonomous robot. The autonomous robot can include a coupling assembly configured to temporarily secure the autonomous robot to an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous robot can include a power system and a ventilation system that can interface with the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining where to position vehicles for trip optimization or where to map roads for use by autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles. The techniques include identifying, from historical trip data, common pickup and drop-off points within a geographical area where respective geohashes are used as nodes in the geographical area. A number of trips between respective nodes in the geographical area within a predetermined time frame define edges between respective nodes in the geographic area. The nodes and edges for the geographic area are processed to score each node to identify most active nodes within the geographic area as potential pickup/drop-off zones. The top k potential pickup-drop-off zones are evaluated for suitability as a pickup/drop-off zone, and lane IDs, suitable pickup/drop-off zones, and/or trip lists derived from the historical trip data are provided for use in positioning vehicles or mapping roads.

Abstract: The present application discloses a positioning method and an apparatus, which relate to the technical field of intelligent driving. A specific implementation solution is: determining a first positioning result using point cloud data collected by lidar in combination with a laser point cloud reflection value map; constructing a constraint condition using the first positioning result, where the constraint condition is used to accelerate a convergence speed of solving a receiver position using observation data; performing GNSS-PPP positioning using the constraint condition in combination with observation data of a GNSS receiver to obtain a second positioning result. Using this solution, lidar positioning technology is combined with GNSS-PPP positioning technology to realize a purpose of not relying on a GNSS base station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for situational modification of autonomous vehicle operation are disclosed. According to aspects, a computing device may detect the occurrence of an emergency event and may determine a current operation of an autonomous vehicle that may be associated with the emergency event. The computing device may determine a modification to operation of the autonomous vehicle, where the modification may represent a violation of a roadway regulation that may enable effective handling of the emergency event. The computing device may generate a set of instructions for the autonomous vehicle to execute to cause the autonomous vehicle to undertake the operation modification.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a computer program for real-time generation of functional road maps. The method comprises obtaining a real-time input from a sensor mounted on a vehicle, that captures a front view of a road ahead of the vehicle and processing thereof by a neural network to generate a functional map of the road ahead of the vehicle. Each pixel in the functional map is associated with a predetermined relative position to the vehicle. A content of each pixel is assigned a set of values, each of which represents a functional feature relating to a location at a corresponding predetermined relative position to the pixel. The processing is performed without relying on a pre-determined precise mapping. The method further comprises providing the functional map to an autonomous navigation system of the vehicle, to autonomously drive the vehicle in accordance with functional features represented by the functional map.

Abstract: A ground plane detection system for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with enhanced maneuverability characteristics of a type including a frame structure, a pair of front road engaging wheels, a pair of rear road engaging wheels. The detection system includes, a body controller configured for determining a ground plane including receiving at least one of a GPS signal and an inertial navigation system signal. The body controller is further configured for providing a roll and a pitch signal with respect to the ground plane; and the body controller combining the signals with inputs from one or more sensors detecting displacement of the front and rear road engaging wheels. The body controller is also configured to determine a terrain plane reference to the ground plane, and providing control signals to cause the vehicle to undertake an earth level orientation mode or a terrain following orientation mode.

Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.

Abstract: In some implementations, a UAV flight system can dynamically adjust UAV flight operations based on thermal sensor data. For example, the flight system can determine an initial flight plan for inspecting a flare stack and configure a UAV to perform an aerial inspection of the flare stack. Once airborne, the UAV can collect thermal sensor data and the flight system can automatically adjust the flight plan to avoid thermal damage to the UAV based on the thermal sensor data.

Abstract: To provide an enhanced method to determine from a driving characteristics of the vehicle a long term mechanical stress of a vehicle, it is proposed that during operation of the vehicle an acceleration of the vehicle is detected by an acceleration sensor in the vehicle and evaluated by a vehicle analyzing system in the vehicle, wherein a driving parameter occurring during an acceleration event in which the vehicle acceleration is above a predetermined threshold is used to determine a driving characteristics value of the vehicle.