Abstract: Example embodiments relate to identification of proxy calibration targets for a fleet of sensors. An example method includes collecting, using a sensor coupled to a vehicle, data about one or more objects within an environment of the vehicle. The sensor has been calibrated using a ground-truth calibration target. The method also includes identifying, based on the collected data, at least one candidate object, from among the one or more objects, to be used as a proxy calibration target for other sensors coupled to vehicles within a fleet of vehicles. Further, the method includes providing, by the vehicle, data about the candidate object for use by one or more vehicles within the fleet of vehicles.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provides for a method for performing checks for a vehicle. In this regard, a plurality of performance checks may be identified including a first check for a detection system of a plurality of detection systems of the vehicle and a second check for map data. A test route for the vehicle may be determined based on a location of the vehicle and the plurality of performance checks. The vehicle may be controlled along the test route in an autonomous driving mode, while sensor data may be received from the plurality of detection systems of the vehicle. An operation mode may be selected based on results of the plurality of performance checks, and the vehicle may be operated in the selected operation mode.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method of calibrating a detection system that is mounted on a vehicle. The method includes detecting characteristics of the mirror and characteristics of a vehicle portion using the detection system. The mirror reflects the vehicle portion to be detected using the detection system. The method also includes determining a first transform based on the detected one or more of mirror characteristics, determining a second transform based on the one or more vehicle portion characteristics, and determining a third transform based on a known position of the vehicle portion in relation to the vehicle. Further, the method includes determining a position of the detection system relative to the vehicle based on the first, second, and third transforms and then calibrating the detection system using the determined position of the detection system relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a light detection and ranging device configured to generate, for each respective point of a plurality of points in an environment, a corresponding waveform that represents physical characteristics of the respective point. The system also includes a signal processor configured to determine, based on the corresponding waveform of each respective point, a map of the environment that includes a representation of a corresponding position of the respective point. The system additionally includes an embedding model configured to determine, for each respective point and based on the corresponding waveform, a corresponding vector comprising a plurality of values representative of the physical characteristics of the respective point. The system further includes a feature detector configured to detect or classify a physical feature based on (i) the corresponding positions of one or more points of the plurality of points and (ii) the corresponding vectors of the one or more points.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of calibrating a vehicle's plurality of detection systems. To calibrate a first detection system, orientation data is collected using the first detection device when the vehicle faces a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. To calibrate a second detection system, data is collected using the second detection device while the vehicle moves in a repeatable pattern near a first object. To calibrate a third detection system, light reflected off a second object is detected using the third detection system as the vehicle is moved towards the second object. To calibrate a fourth detection system, data collected using the second detection system and the fourth detection system is compared. To calibrate a fifth detection system, radar signals reflected off a third object is received using the fifth detection system while the vehicle moves relative to the third object.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provides for a method for performing checks for a vehicle. In this regard, a plurality of performance checks may be identified including a first check for a detection system of a plurality of detection systems of the vehicle and a second check for map data. A test route for the vehicle may be determined based on a location of the vehicle and the plurality of performance checks. The vehicle may be controlled along the test route in an autonomous driving mode, while sensor data may be received from the plurality of detection systems of the vehicle. An operation mode may be selected based on results of the plurality of performance checks, and the vehicle may be operated in the selected operation mode.

Abstract: The technology relates to localizing a vehicle. As one approach, a first LIDAR sensor scan data of an environment of the vehicle and localization data for the vehicle at a location where the first LIDAR sensor scan was captured are stored. Thereafter, the computing device is suspended and subsequently unsuspended. After the computing device is unsuspended, second LIDAR sensor scan data of the vehicle's environment is received. The first LIDAR sensor scan data is compared to the second LIDAR sensor scan data to determine whether the vehicle has moved. Based on the determination of whether the vehicle has moved from the location, the stored localization data is used to localize the vehicle. Other approaches are also described.

Abstract: An example method involves detecting a sensor-testing trigger. Detecting the sensor-testing trigger may comprise determining that a vehicle is within a threshold distance to a target in an environment of the vehicle. The method also involves obtaining sensor data collected by a sensor of the vehicle after the detection of the sensor-testing trigger. The sensor data is indicative of a scan of a region of the environment that includes the target. The method also involves comparing the sensor data with previously-collected sensor data indicating detection of the target by one or more sensors during one or more previous scans of the environment. The method also involves generating performance metrics related to the sensor of the vehicle based on the comparison.

Abstract: A technique for masking a non-functioning pixel in a display screen includes receiving pixel values for driving pixels on the display screen with an image, identifying a sub-set of the pixel values associated with surrounding pixels that are adjacent to the non-functioning pixel in the display screen, and adjusting the pixel values of the sub-set to increase brightness of the surrounding pixels to compensate for lost brightness due to the non-functioning pixel to thereby mask visual perception of the non-functioning pixel.

Abstract: Embodiments of a process including determining a position of an observer relative to a pixel array positioned on a diffuse surface, the pixel array comprising a plurality of individual display pixels, determining the observer's viewing angle relative to the pixel array based on the position of the observer relative to the pixel array, and adjusting the brightness of the pixel array so that the brightness of the pixel array when viewed at the observer's viewing angle substantially matches the brightness of the diffuse surface when viewed at the observer's viewing angle. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a process including determining a position of an observer relative to a pixel array positioned on a diffuse surface, the pixel array comprising a plurality of individual display pixels, determining the observer's viewing angle relative to the pixel array based on the position of the observer relative to the pixel array, and adjusting the brightness of the pixel array so that the brightness of the pixel array when viewed at the observer's viewing angle substantially matches the brightness of the diffuse surface when viewed at the observer's viewing angle. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.