Abstract: Embodiments presented herein include systems and methods for cooling a device, such as a computing system for an autonomous vehicle. In one or more embodiments, a linear drive actuator may be employed to circulate cooling fluid (or coolant) to the computing system. Unlike typical hydraulic or linear actuators, embodiments herein are capable of consistent directional circulation of the fluid while the actuator is moving in both forward and backward directions. Using a linear actuator not only uses fewer parts as compared to current cooling systems, but such embodiments have additional benefits. A linear actuator cooling system can use a smaller motor than traditional pump cooling systems, has more control relative to rate and pressure, produces less noise, produces fewer vibrations, and has a longer lifespan. Embodiments may also be configured to facilitate circulation of the coolant even in the event of a controller or motor actuator malfunction.

Abstract: Smooth and agile acceleration of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) that is being held at a standstill or is otherwise at a stop is important for ADV safety, efficiency, and occupant enjoyment. For example, as a practical matter, an ADV at an uncontrolled intersection should quickly and smoothly drive-off when it is its turn to advance—otherwise, it may get stuck at the intersection. Embodiments herein provide systems and methods to facilitate a pleasant and comfortable ride while having the ADV drive off smoothly (e.g., not a large jerk) and safely while driving from a stop—regardless of whether the ADV is on a sloped surface.

Abstract: A glass ceramic substrate contains a glass ceramic having a compressive stress layer on a surface thereof and a crystalline phase containing LiAlSi4O10, quartz, and quartz solid solution. The glass ceramic has 60 to 80% of SiO2, 4 to 20% of Al2O3, more than 0 but less than or equal to 15% of Li2O, more than 0 but less than or equal to 12% of Na2O, 0 to 5% of K2O; more than 0 but less than or equal to 5% of ZrO2, 0 to 5% of P2O5, and 0 to 10% of TiO2. The quartz and the quartz solid solution crystalline phase account for 15 to 30% of the glass ceramic by wt %, the LiAlSi4O10 crystalline phase accounts for not greater than 15% of the glass ceramic by wt %, and a ratio of ZrO2/Li2O is more than 0 but less than or equal to 0.35.

Abstract: Smooth and agile acceleration of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) that is being held at a standstill or is otherwise at a stop is important for ADV safety, efficiency, and occupant enjoyment. For example, as a practical matter, an ADV at an uncontrolled intersection should quickly and smoothly drive-off when it is its turn to advance—otherwise, it may get stuck at the intersection. Embodiments herein provide systems and methods to facilitate a pleasant and comfortable ride while having the ADV drive off smoothly (e.g., not a large jerk) and safely (e.g., not slipping) during driving from a stop—regardless of whether the ADV is on a slope or on a neutral (i.e., not sloped) surface. In one or more embodiments, the drive-off process may be divided into several stages from a standstill to an acceleration settle stage.

Abstract: Operating a vehicle with an open door creates risks. Embodiments herein consider both when a vehicle is in an autonomous driving (AD) mode and a manual mode. When in AD mode, if an occupant opens the doors while the vehicle is moving, the control system may lower the speed to stop and may park the vehicle (or not park it depending upon the control policy). If an occupant opens the doors when the vehicle is stationary, the control system may keep the vehicle from rolling and from brake system failures. When the vehicle is in a manual model and a door is opened when the vehicle is moving, a warning message may be triggered; whereas, if a door is opened when the vehicle is stationary, the control system may keep the vehicle from rolling and from brake system failures. Warning messages may be triggered for different stages/conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium or media for controlling power for a vehicle that utilizes one or more computing systems for control, such as an autonomous vehicle. Embodiments comprise multi-tiered distributed power supplies. In one or more embodiments, the overall power system may be structured into distinct levels for enhanced reliability and efficiency. Certain power systems may be tasked with supporting certain systems of the vehicle, which may be correlated to the amount of power (i.e., maximum power and duration) the tier can supply. Because of the inherent risks related to vehicles, a paramount emphasis of the power system design and operation is related to safety. In one or more embodiments, a safety power supply is included as a backup system and may be used to perform one or more safety shutdown procedures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system obtains first point cloud data generated by a first scanner device of a first autonomous driving vehicle (ADV). The system applies one or more abnormality detection algorithms to the first point cloud data to determine an abnormality in the first point cloud data. The system determines an abnormality type for the abnormality. The system determines the abnormality is above a severity threshold based on the abnormality type. In response to determining that the abnormality is above the severity threshold, the system indicates a warning to inspect the first scanner device for any hardware malfunctions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for deceleration control during emergency braking using control algorithm override. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method for deceleration by a controlling device of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV). The method includes engaging a braking system of the ADV to decelerate the ADV using a first deceleration algorithm. When an onset of discrepancy between a velocity of the ADV and a corresponding wheel speed of the ADV is detected, a processing device, based on the discrepancy, overrides an output of the first deceleration algorithm using a second deceleration algorithm that prioritizes in reducing the discrepancy between the velocity of the ADV and the corresponding wheel speed of the ADV over a target rate of deceleration computed by the first deceleration algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive glass material, including the following components in percentage by weight: 65-78% of SiO2; 2-12% of R2O; 5-15% of Li2O; 3-12% of Al2O3; 1.5-10% of ZrO2; 0.01-0.6% of CeO2; 0.01-0.8% of Ag2O, wherein Li2O/ZrO2 is 1.0-7.5, and the R2O is one or two of Na2O and K2O. By reasonable component design, the photosensitive glass material of the present invention has a lower dielectric loss, and photosensitive microcrystalline glass and a photosensitive microcrystalline glass product made therefrom also have lower dielectric losses, and can reduce transmission losses of electric signals of application terminals during use.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to robust methodologies for autonomous parking. In one or more embodiments, an autonomous vehicle may determine the slope of a road based upon one or more inputs and a pre-defined slope definition and may also determine curb/no curb status of a parking location. Given the determined road conditions, such as slope and no curb/curb, embodiments determine wheel direction and angle that the vehicle should achieve to properly park. Embodiments also include countermeasures if one or more issues prohibit the vehicle from achieving a desired parking condition.

Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise monitoring factors related to braking of an autonomous vehicle. In response to determining, based upon data from one or more sensors, whether a failure state from a set of one or more failure states has occurred, a failure log is updated to record the occurrence of the detected failure state. In one or more embodiments, the failure states have associated severity levels, and the updated log and associated severities are used to determine a braking safety or failure metric for the vehicle. In one or more embodiments, if the vehicle has a metric corresponding to a rule that correlates the braking safety metric value to a set of one or more actions, the corresponding action(s) may then be implemented. For example, if the braking safety metric has a value corresponding to a rule that indicates the vehicle is unsafe, the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: A microcrystalline glass and microcrystalline glass product with excellent mechanic performance and lower haze. The microcrystalline glass product, wherein components thereof are represented by weight percentage, includes: 60-80% of SiO2; 3-15% of Al2O3; greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10% of Li2O; 4-8% of Na2O; 0.5-5% of P2O5; greater than 5% but less than or equal to 15% of ZrO2, wherein (SiO2+Li2O)/(ZrO2+P2O5) is 4.0-15.5. Through rational component design, the microcrystalline glass or microcrystalline glass product obtained by the present invention has excellent mechanic performance and lower haze, so as to be applicable for display devices or electronic devices with higher optical performance requirements.

Abstract: Data is received from a plurality of sensors mounted on an ADV being held to a standstill. A status of the ADV including a rolling speed of the ADV is detected based on the data from the plurality of sensors. One of a primary brake or a secondary brake is activated, in response to detecting the status of the ADV being a first status including the rolling speed being higher than zero and lower than a first predetermined speed threshold. An electronic parking brake is activated, in response to detecting the status of the ADV being a second status including the rolling speed being higher than the first predetermined speed threshold and lower than a second predetermined speed threshold. An engine brake may be used to reduce the crash damage, and a warning message (e.g., Message-4) may be generated.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium or media for controlling power for a vehicle that utilizes one or more computing systems for control, such as an autonomous vehicle. Embodiments comprise multi-tiered distributed power supplies. In one or more embodiments, the overall power system may be structured into distinct levels for enhanced reliability and efficiency. Certain power systems may be tasked with supporting certain systems of the vehicle, which may be correlated to the amount of power (i.e., maximum power and duration) the tier can supply. Because of the inherent risks related to vehicles, a paramount emphasis of the power system design and operation is related to safety. In one or more embodiments, a safety power supply is included as a backup system and may be used to perform one or more safety shutdown procedures.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for providing a failsafe braking system to independently backup various braking controls, such as longitudinal control, stability control, and standstill control. For example, in addition to providing the longitudinal control, the stability control, and the standstill control in a primary braking system (PBS), a secondary braking system (SBS) may independently intervene a malfunctioning braking procedure (e.g., any one of the longitudinal control, the stability control, and the standstill control) of the PBS. The PBS malfunctions may be caused by power failure, actuation failure (e.g., failure of electric motor or otherwise loss of actuation pressure), or control failure (e.g., electronic control unit (ECU) or control circuitry failure). Thus, the SBS uses an independent set of power supply, actuation devices (e.g., motors, pumps, and/or valves), and provides a redundant control circuitry to back up the control circuitry of the PBS.

Abstract: Embodiments presented herein include systems and methods for cooling a device, such as a computing system for an autonomous vehicle. In one or more embodiments, a linear drive actuator may be employed to circulate cooling fluid (or coolant) to the computing system. Unlike typical hydraulic or linear actuators, embodiments herein are capable of consistent directional circulation of the fluid while the actuator is moving in both forward and backward directions. Using a linear actuator not only uses fewer parts as compared to current cooling systems, but such embodiments have additional benefits. A linear actuator cooling system can use a smaller motor than traditional pump cooling systems, has more control relative to rate and pressure, produces less noise, produces fewer vibrations, and has a longer lifespan. Embodiments may also be configured to facilitate circulation of the coolant even in the event of a controller or motor actuator malfunction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system determines activation parameters for an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV), where the activation parameters include historical usages of a primary brake system or a secondary brake system. In response to determining that a brake is to be applied, the system determines whether to activate a primary or a secondary brake system based on the activation parameters. The system sends an activation flag to activate the primary or the secondary brake system based on the determining whether to activate the primary or the secondary brake system. The system sends a brake command to the primary and the secondary brake system to activate either the primary or the secondary brake system according to the activation flag.

Abstract: Sound signals are received by a plurality of microphones disposed on a top of an ADV. An analysis of the sound signals is performed based on a spectrum and a vibration intensity of the sound signals. A wheel which the sound signals come from and a thickness of a brake pad of the wheel is determine based on the analysis of the sound signals. A brake pad wear degree of the brake pad and how long the ADV can run with the brake pad within a safety range is determined. A warning message indicating warning information based on the brake pad wear degree is transmitted.

Abstract: Smooth and agile acceleration of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) that is being held at a standstill or is otherwise at a stop is important for ADV safety, efficiency, and occupant enjoyment. For example, as a practical matter, an ADV at an uncontrolled intersection should quickly and smoothly drive-off when it is its turn to advance—otherwise, it may get stuck at the intersection. Embodiments herein provide systems and methods to facilitate a pleasant and comfortable ride while having the ADV drive off smoothly (e.g., not a large jerk) and safely while driving from a stop—regardless of whether the ADV is on a sloped surface.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to robust methodologies for autonomous parking. In one or more embodiments, an autonomous vehicle may determine the slope of a road based upon one or more inputs and a pre-defined slope definition and may also determine curb/no curb status of a parking location. Given the determined road conditions, such as slope and no curb/curb, embodiments determine wheel direction and angle that the vehicle should achieve to properly park. Embodiments also include countermeasures if one or more issues prohibit the vehicle from achieving a desired parking condition.