Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing or configuring one or more headlights of a vehicle to avoid visually interfering with operation of an oncoming vehicle. Various embodiments may include receiving, by a first vehicle processor, a first collaborative lighting message from a second vehicle, wherein the first collaborative lighting message requests that the first vehicle direct one or more headlights of the first vehicle to avoid visual interference with operation of the second vehicle and directing one or more the headlights of the first vehicle in accordance with the collaborative lighting plan. Directing the headlights to avoid visual interference with operation of the second vehicle may include switching the headlights to a low-beam configuration.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for automatically customizing operation of a robotic vehicle are described. The method may include identifying an operator, retrieving an operator profile and associated metadata for the operator from a database, where the metadata includes operator habit information, and configuring the robotic vehicle based on existing preference-based and performance-based settings, where the existing preference-based and performance-based settings are based on the metadata. The methods may include identifying operator habit information during operation of the robotic vehicle, deriving updated preference-based and performance-based settings for the operator based on the identified operator habit information, and providing, to the database, modifications to the metadata associated with the operator profile of the operator.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and interactive traffic control devices for interactively controlling traffic, which may include receiving refined location and state information associated with individual vehicles on a roadway, and determining customized dynamic traffic control instructions for a first one or more of the individual vehicles. The determined customized dynamic traffic control instructions may be based on the received refined location and state information and offer an optional route alternative to a set limited number of the individual vehicles. The first customized dynamic traffic control instructions may be transmitted by the interactive traffic control device to the first one or more of the individual vehicles.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing one or more headlights among vehicles traveling in a platoon. Various aspects may include transmitting, by a first vehicle processor of a first vehicle traveling in the platoon, a collaborative lighting plan to a second vehicle traveling in the platoon, wherein the collaborative lighting plan may direct the second vehicle to direct one or more headlights of the second vehicle in a direction other than a direction of travel of the platoon. The first vehicle processor may then direct one or more the headlights of the first vehicle in accordance with the collaborative lighting plan.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing one or more headlights by two or more vehicles. Various aspects may include receiving, by a first vehicle processor, a first vehicle collaborative lighting message from a second vehicle, in which the first vehicle collaborative lighting message requests that the first vehicle direct one or more headlights of the first vehicle to illuminate a target area of uncertainty that is disposed, relative to the first vehicle, in a direction other than a direction of travel of the first vehicle. The first vehicle processor may direct one or more the headlights of the first vehicle to illuminate the target area in accordance with the first vehicle collaborative lighting message.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing one or more headlights by two or more vehicles. Various aspects may include receiving, by a first vehicle processor, a first collaborative lighting message from a second vehicle, in which the first collaborative lighting message may request the first vehicle direct one or more headlights of the first vehicle, in collaboration with the second vehicle directing one or more headlights of the second vehicle according to a collaborative lighting plan, and directing, by the first vehicle processor, one or more of the headlights of the first vehicle in accordance with the collaborative lighting plan.

Abstract: Various embodiments include devices and methods for controlling a robotic vehicle. Each electronic speed controller (ESC) of the robotic vehicle may receive open loop flight control information from a flight controller or another processing device of the robotic vehicle. In some embodiments, each ESC may store the provided open loop flight control information in a memory. In response to detecting a loss of control signals from the flight controller, each ESC may access the stored open loop flight control information and perform control of a motor associated with each ESC based on the open loop flight control information. The open loop flight control information may be a sequence of motor control instructions to be performed over a period of time, or parameterized information or vehicle state information that enables each ESC to generate a sequence of motor control instructions.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing one or more headlights among vehicles traveling in a platoon. Various aspects may include transmitting, by a first vehicle processor of a first vehicle traveling in the platoon, a collaborative lighting plan to a second vehicle traveling in the platoon, wherein the collaborative lighting plan may direct the second vehicle to direct one or more headlights of the second vehicle in a direction other than a direction of travel of the platoon. The first vehicle processor may then direct one or more the headlights of the first vehicle in accordance with the collaborative lighting plan.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing or configuring one or more headlights of a vehicle to avoid visually interfering with operation of an oncoming vehicle. Various embodiments may include receiving, by a first vehicle processor, a first collaborative lighting message from a second vehicle, wherein the first collaborative lighting message requests that the first vehicle direct one or more headlights of the first vehicle to avoid visual interference with operation of the second vehicle and directing one or more the headlights of the first vehicle in accordance with the collaborative lighting plan. Directing the headlights to avoid visual interference with operation of the second vehicle may include switching the headlights to a low-beam configuration.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing one or more headlights by two or more vehicles. Various aspects may include receiving, by a first vehicle processor, a first collaborative lighting message from a second vehicle, in which the first collaborative lighting message may request the first vehicle direct one or more headlights of the first vehicle, in collaboration with the second vehicle directing one or more headlights of the second vehicle according to a collaborative lighting plan, and directing, by the first vehicle processor, one or more of the headlights of the first vehicle in accordance with the collaborative lighting plan.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing one or more headlights by two or more vehicles. Various aspects may include receiving, by a first vehicle processor, a first vehicle collaborative lighting message from a second vehicle, in which the first vehicle collaborative lighting message requests that the first vehicle direct one or more headlights of the first vehicle to illuminate a target area of uncertainty that is disposed, relative to the first vehicle, in a direction other than a direction of travel of the first vehicle. The first vehicle processor may direct one or more the headlights of the first vehicle to illuminate the target area in accordance with the first vehicle collaborative lighting message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for automatically customizing operation of a robotic vehicle are described. The method may include identifying an operator, retrieving an operator profile and associated metadata for the operator from a database, where the metadata includes operator habit information, and configuring the robotic vehicle based on existing preference-based and performance-based settings, where the existing preference-based and performance-based settings are based on the metadata. The methods may include identifying operator habit information during operation of the robotic vehicle, deriving updated preference-based and performance-based settings for the operator based on the identified operator habit information, and providing, to the database, modifications to the metadata associated with the operator profile of the operator.

Abstract: Various embodiments include devices and methods for mitigating the bias of a magnetometer resulting from operating various hardware components on a device such as a drone or a computing device. Various embodiments may improve the accuracy of magnetometer output by estimating the bias or magnetic interference caused by the hardware components based on a utilization or operating state of each hardware component, and adjusting the magnetometer output to compensate for the estimated bias.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods for customizing operation of the robotic vehicle for an operator. Such embodiments may include identifying a current operator of the robotic vehicle, configuring the robotic vehicle based on metadata associated with an operator profile for the operator, determining whether the operator has changed, and if so, identifying the new operator, deriving updated preference-based settings and performance-based settings for the new operator, and updating configurations of the robotic vehicle accordingly.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods of using image data to estimate motion of a vehicle observed within camera images, such as images captured by a vehicle navigation system of a host vehicle. Various embodiments may include a camera capturing a sequence of images including the observed vehicle, and a processor performing image processing to identify a wheel of the observed vehicle, and determining a rate of rotation of the wheel based on changes in orientation of the wheel between at least two images within the sequence of images. The processor may further determine a speed of the observed vehicle based on the wheel's rate of rotation and diameter. The processor may further determine a direction of travel and/or turning rate of the observed vehicle by determining relative angles of wheels of the observed vehicle in at least one image.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and interactive traffic control devices implementing such methods to receive refined location and state information associated with individual vehicles and determine first customized dynamic traffic control instructions for a first one or more of the individual vehicles and second customized dynamic traffic control instructions for a second one or more of the individual vehicles different from the first one or more of the individual vehicles. The first customized dynamic traffic control instructions may be transmitted to the first one or more of the individual vehicles, and the second customized dynamic traffic control instructions may be transmitted to the second one or more of the individual vehicles.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and interactive traffic control devices for interactively controlling traffic, which may include receiving refined location and state information associated with individual vehicles on a roadway, and determining customized dynamic traffic control instructions for a first one or more of the individual vehicles. The determined customized dynamic traffic control instructions may be based on the received refined location and state information and offer an optional route alternative to a set limited number of the individual vehicles. The first customized dynamic traffic control instructions may be transmitted by the interactive traffic control device to the first one or more of the individual vehicles.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods, systems, and devices for interactively controlling traffic. The method, which may be performed by operations of the systems and/or devices, may include receiving, for example by an interactive traffic control device, refined location and state information associated with a first vehicle on a roadway. The interactive traffic control device may also determine at least one notable element in the refined location and state information, customized dynamic traffic control instructions based on the refined location and state information, and whether the customized dynamic traffic control instructions conflict with the at least one notable element. In addition, the interactive traffic control device may transmit the customized dynamic traffic control instructions to the first vehicle in response to determining the customized dynamic traffic control instructions do not conflict with the at least one notable element.

Abstract: Various embodiments include devices and methods for controlling a robotic vehicle. Each electronic speed controller (ESC) of the robotic vehicle may receive open loop flight control information from a flight controller or another processing device of the robotic vehicle. In some embodiments, each ESC may store the provided open loop flight control information in a memory. In response to detecting a loss of control signals from the flight controller, each ESC may access the stored open loop flight control information and perform control of a motor associated with each ESC based on the open loop flight control information. The open loop flight control information may be a sequence of motor control instructions to be performed over a period of time, or parameterized information or vehicle state information that enables each ESC to generate a sequence of motor control instructions.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include methods of using image data to estimate motion of a vehicle observed within camera images, such as images captured by a vehicle navigation system of a host vehicle. Various embodiments may include a camera capturing a sequence of images including the observed vehicle, and a processor performing image processing to identify a wheel of the observed vehicle, and determining a rate of rotation of the wheel based on changes in orientation of the wheel between at least two images within the sequence of images. The processor may further determine a speed of the observed vehicle based on the wheel's rate of rotation and diameter. The processor may further determine a direction of travel and/or turning rate of the observed vehicle by determining relative angles of wheels of the observed vehicle in at least one image.