Abstract: Example inductive loop detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives image data from a camera of a vehicle and determines a geographic position of the vehicle. Based on the image data and the geographic position of the vehicle, the method determines a location of an inductive loop in a roadway proximate the vehicle. The data associated with the location of the inductive loop is stored in a storage device within the vehicle. For a vehicle, a detectable zone may be determined based on actual or simulated outputs an inductive loop system at various locations relative to the vehicle. While driving, the vehicle is controlled to cause the detectable zone to pass over or stop over a known location of the inductive loop.

Abstract: Techniques pertaining to an autonomous police vehicle are described. A method may involve a processor associated with an autonomous vehicle obtaining an indication of violation of one or more traffic laws by a first vehicle. The method may also involve the processor maneuvering the autonomous vehicle to pursue the first vehicle. The method may further involve the processor remotely executing one or more actions with respect to the first vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for opening an access point of a vehicle. A system and a method may involve receiving wirelessly a signal from a remote controller carried by a user. The system and the method may further involve receiving audio or video data indicating the user approaching the vehicle. The system and the method may also involve determining an intention of the user to access an interior of the vehicle based on the audio or video data. The system and the method may also involve opening an access point of the vehicle responsive to the determining of the intention of the user to access the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting hazards in anticipation of opening vehicle doors. Vehicle sensors (e.g., rear viewing cameras) can be used to detect and classify traffic, for example, as pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, wheel chair, etc., approaching on the side of a vehicle. When there is a possibility of a vehicle occupant opening a door into approaching traffic, a warning can be issued in the vehicle cabin to alert vehicle occupants of the approaching traffic. In one aspect, a vehicle prevents a door from opening if opening the door would likely cause an accident.

Abstract: Methods and systems for opening an access point of a vehicle. A system and a method may involve receiving wirelessly a signal from a remote controller carried by a user. The system and the method may further involve receiving audio or video data indicating the user approaching the vehicle. The system and the method may also involve determining an intention of the user to access an interior of the vehicle based on the audio or video data. The system and the method may also involve opening an access point of the vehicle responsive to the determining of the intention of the user to access the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques and implementations pertaining to detection of moving objects, such as pedestrians, when a vehicle moves in a rearward direction are described. A method may involve identifying a region of interest when a vehicle moves in a rearward direction. The method may involve detecting a moving object in the region of interest. The method may also involve determining whether a collision with the moving object by the vehicle moving in the rearward direction is likely. The method may further involve providing a human-perceivable signal responsive to a determination that the collision is likely.

Abstract: Example inductive loop detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives image data from a camera of a vehicle and determines a geographic position of the vehicle. Based on the image data and the geographic position of the vehicle, the method determines a location of an inductive loop in a roadway proximate the vehicle. The data associated with the location of the inductive loop is stored in a storage device within the vehicle. For a vehicle, a detectable zone may be determined based on actual or simulated outputs an inductive loop system at various locations relative to the vehicle. While driving, the vehicle is controlled to cause the detectable zone to pass over or stop over a known location of the inductive loop.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting physical threats approaching a vehicle. External sensors on a vehicle capture the environment around the vehicle. Approaching targets detected by the external sensors can be fed into a neural network to recognize and/or classify approaching targets as potential threats. Tracking mechanisms (e.g., Kalman filters, Particle filters, etc.) can leverage temporal information to determine if a threat is approaching a vehicle. When an approaching threat is detected, a vehicle can activate one or more counter measures to deter the threat. When a vehicle includes autonomous driving capabilities, counter measures can include automatically attempting to drive away from an approaching threat.

Abstract: Example passenger validation systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives, at a vehicle, a transport request indicating a passenger and a pick-up location. The vehicle drives to the pick-up location and authenticates the passenger at the pick-up location. If the passenger is successfully authenticated, the method unlocks the vehicle doors to allow access to the vehicle, determines a number of people entering the vehicle, and confirms that the number of people entering the vehicle matches a number of passengers associated with the transport request.

Abstract: Example accident attenuation systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method determines a speed of a second vehicle approaching from behind a first vehicle and determines a distance between the first and second vehicles. The method also determines whether the second vehicle can stop before colliding with the first vehicle. If the second vehicle cannot stop before colliding with the first vehicle, the method takes action to attenuate the potential collision by applying full brake force, tightening seat belts, and/or turning the front wheels of the first vehicle to direct the first vehicle away from oncoming traffic.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for determining a position of a vehicle includes an image sensor, a top-down view component, a comparison component, and a location component. The image sensor obtains an image of an environment near a vehicle. The top-down view component is configured to generate a top-down view of a ground surface based on the image of the environment. The comparison component is configured to compare the top-down image with a map, the map comprising a top-down light LIDAR intensity map or a vector-based semantic map. The location component is configured to determine a location of the vehicle on the map based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting hazards in anticipation of opening vehicle doors. Vehicle sensors (e.g., rear viewing cameras) can be used to detect and classify traffic, for example, as pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, wheel chair, etc., approaching on the side of a vehicle. When there is a possibility of a vehicle occupant opening a door into approaching traffic, a warning can be issued in the vehicle cabin to alert vehicle occupants of the approaching traffic. In one aspect, a vehicle prevents a door from opening if opening the door would likely cause an accident.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for detecting free space near a vehicle includes obtaining an image for a region near a vehicle. The method includes generating, based on the image, a plurality of outputs that each indicate a height for an image column of the image where a boundary of a drivable region is located. The method further includes selecting a driving direction or driving maneuver for the vehicle to stay within the drivable region based on the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting hazards in anticipation of opening vehicle doors. Vehicle sensors (e.g., rear viewing cameras) can be used to detect and classify traffic, for example, as pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, wheel chair, etc., approaching on the side of a vehicle. When there is a possibility of a vehicle occupant opening a door into approaching traffic, a warning can be issued in the vehicle cabin to alert vehicle occupants of the approaching traffic. In one aspect, a vehicle prevents a door from opening if opening the door would likely cause an accident.

Abstract: Example sinkhole detection systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives data from multiple sensors mounted to a vehicle and analyzes the received data to identify a sinkhole in a roadway ahead of the vehicle. If a sinkhole is identified, the method adjusts vehicle operations and reports the sinkhole to a shared database and/or another vehicle.

Abstract: Example passenger validation systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives, at a vehicle, a transport request indicating a passenger and a pick-up location. The vehicle drives to the pick-up location and authenticates the passenger at the pick-up location. If the passenger is successfully authenticated, the method unlocks the vehicle doors to allow access to the vehicle, determines a number of people entering the vehicle, and confirms that the number of people entering the vehicle matches a number of passengers associated with the transport request.

Abstract: A method for determining lane information includes receiving perception data from at least two sensors, the at least two sensors including a rear facing camera of a vehicle. The method includes determining, based on the perception data, a number of lanes on a roadway within a field of view captured by the perception data using a neural network. The method includes providing an indication of the number of lanes to an automated driving system or driving assistance system.

Abstract: A method for detecting stubs or intersecting roadways includes receiving perception data from at least two sensors. The at least two sensors include a rear facing camera of a vehicle and another sensor. The perception data includes information for a current roadway on which the vehicle is located. The method includes detecting, based on the perception data, an intersecting roadway connecting with the current roadway. The method also includes storing an indication of a location and a direction of the intersecting roadway with respect to the current roadway.

Abstract: Techniques pertaining to an autonomous police vehicle are described. A method may involve a processor associated with an autonomous vehicle obtaining an indication of violation of one or more traffic laws by a first vehicle. The method may also involve the processor maneuvering the autonomous vehicle to pursue the first vehicle. The method may further involve the processor remotely executing one or more actions with respect to the first vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques and implementations pertaining to detection of moving objects, such as pedestrians, when a vehicle moves in a rearward direction are described. A method may involve identifying a region of interest when a vehicle moves in a rearward direction. The method may involve detecting a moving object in the region of interest. The method may also involve determining whether a collision with the moving object by the vehicle moving in the rearward direction is likely. The method may further involve providing a human-perceivable signal responsive to a determination that the collision is likely.