Abstract: Systems and methods for an On-Demand Autonomy (ODA) service. The system includes a selection module of a leader vehicle (Lv) connected to an ODA server to determine whether to confirm a request for an on-demand autonomy (ODA) service which has been broadcast wherein the ODA service request includes control of a follower vehicle (Fv) to a requested location by creating a virtual link between the Lv and the Fv to configure a vehicle platoon to enable transport of the Fv by the Lv wherein the vehicle platoon is a linking of the Lv to the Fv via the virtual link to enable the Lv to assume the control of the Fv to the requested location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a cloud-based server system configured for an On-Demand Autonomy (ODA) service are disclosed. The cloud-based server in communication with a first vehicle and a second vehicle to receive a trip request for the ODA service from the first vehicle, and seek an agreement to establish a virtual link with the first vehicle to the second vehicle by identifying one second vehicle by broadcasting the trip request to the group of second vehicles; identifying a second vehicle from submitted responses based on an application using a modeled clone with a set of functionalities to perform a matching operation between the first and second vehicles; and coordinating responses based on results of the matching operation to confirm an acceptance of the agreement; and creating a trip plan for the trip request for the ODA service based on a set of preferences received from each of the vehicles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating a driving situation including at least one vehicle. The system includes a first processor, a second processor and an external device. A first processor obtains driving information, encodes the driving information and communicates the encoded driving information to the second processor. The second processor receives and decodes the encoded driving information. The second processor further allocates a predefined indication pattern to the decoded driving information, wherein the predefined indication pattern includes a graphical representation of an upcoming driving event involving the vehicle. An external device visualizes a current driving situation including the vehicle together with the predefined indication pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an On-Demand Autonomy (ODA) system are provided. A method includes: receiving a request for ODA service from the Fv, wherein the request includes a location of the Fv; when the Lv is within a first distance of the location of the Fv: identifying the Fv within a scene of an environment of the Lv; identifying an orientation of the Fv within the scene of the environment of the Lv; and determining a second location for the Lv to begin the ODA service; when the Lv is within a second distance of the second location, determining a closeness of other vehicles within a second scene of the environment of the Lv; confirming the orientation of the Fv in the second scene; performing a handshake method with the Fv to create a virtual link between the Lv and the Fv; and performing at least one of pulling and parking platooning methods using the created virtual link.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating a driving situation including at least one vehicle. The system includes a first processor, a second processor and an external device. A first processor obtains driving information, encodes the driving information and communicates the encoded driving information to the second processor. The second processor receives and decodes the encoded driving information. The second processor further allocates a predefined indication pattern to the decoded driving information, wherein the predefined indication pattern includes a graphical representation of an upcoming driving event involving the vehicle. An external device visualizes a current driving situation including the vehicle together with the predefined indication pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an On-Demand Autonomy (ODA) service. The system includes a selection module of a leader vehicle (Lv) connected to an ODA server to determine whether to confirm a request for an on-demand autonomy (ODA) service which has been broadcast wherein the ODA service request includes control of a follower vehicle (Fv) to a requested location by creating a virtual link between the Lv and the Fv to configure a vehicle platoon to enable transport of the Fv by the Lv wherein the vehicle platoon is a linking of the Lv to the Fv via the virtual link to enable the Lv to assume the control of the Fv to the requested location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a cloud-based server system configured for an On-Demand Autonomy (ODA) service are disclosed. The cloud-based server in communication with a first vehicle and a second vehicle to receive a trip request for the ODA service from the first vehicle, and seek an agreement to establish a virtual link with the first vehicle to the second vehicle by identifying one second vehicle by broadcasting the trip request to the group of second vehicles; identifying a second vehicle from submitted responses based on an application using a modeled clone with a set of functionalities to perform a matching operation between the first and second vehicles; and coordinating responses based on results of the matching operation to confirm an acceptance of the agreement; and creating a trip plan for the trip request for the ODA service based on a set of preferences received from each of the vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing a first computer device of a vehicle. A method includes selecting an operational component of the first computer device and selecting a test operation that is configured to utilize an entire capacity of the operational component. The method further includes instructing the first computer device to perform the test operation and to generate a first result. The method further yet includes retrieving a second result of the test operation and comparing the first result of the test operation from the first computer device with the second result. The method further yet includes indicating that the first computer device is faulty based at least in part on a difference between the first result and the second result.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing a first computer device of a vehicle. A method includes selecting an operational component of the first computer device and selecting a test operation that is configured to utilize an entire capacity of the operational component. The method further includes instructing the first computer device to perform the test operation and to generate a first result. The method further yet includes retrieving a second result of the test operation and comparing the first result of the test operation from the first computer device with the second result. The method further yet includes indicating that the first computer device is faulty based at least in part on a difference between the first result and the second result.

Abstract: A method of adaptively reconfiguring controller functions during a frame overrun. A frame overrun condition is detected. A respective task from a plurality of tasks is identified as a largest contributor to the frame overrun. A mode associated with the identified task is identified to correct the frame overrun. Functions are reallocated within the identified task to one or more other tasks until the frame overrun condition is corrected. Respective functions reallocated are identified as a function of the identified mode.

Abstract: A method of adaptively reconfiguring controller functions during a frame overrun. A frame overrun condition is detected. A respective task from a plurality of tasks is identified as a largest contributor to the frame overrun. A mode associated with the identified task is identified to correct the frame overrun. Functions are reallocated within the identified task to one or more other tasks until the frame overrun condition is corrected. Respective functions reallocated are identified as a function of the identified mode.

Abstract: A redundant computing architecture includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and a switch. The first control unit is configured to provide a first control signal in response to a sensory input and is further configured to provide a health status indicator that is indicative of a fault condition within the first control unit. Additionally, the second control unit is configured to provide a second control signal in response to the sensory input. Each of the first and second control signals is respectively operative to control an actuator. The switch is configured to: receive the health status indicator, the first control signal, and second control signal; provide the first control signal to the actuator if this health status indicator does not indicate a fault: and provide the second control signal to the actuator if this health status indicator does indicate a fault.

Abstract: A redundant computing architecture includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and a switch. The first control unit is configured to provide a first control signal in response to a sensory input and is further configured to provide a health status indicator that is indicative of a fault condition within the first control unit. Additionally, the second control unit is configured to provide a second control signal in response to the sensory input. Each of the first and second control signals is respectively operative to control an actuator. The switch is configured to: receive the health status indicator, the first control signal, and second control signal; provide the first control signal to the actuator if this health status indicator does not indicate a fault: and provide the second control signal to the actuator if this health status indicator does indicate a fault.

Abstract: A method of controlling an actuator includes developing a sequence of actuation commands S(tx)=C(tx, tx), C(tx, tx+1), . . . , C(tx, tx+n) obtained from data sensed before time tx for controlling the actuator at different time intervals (tx, tx+1), (tx+1, tx+2), . . . , (tx+n?1, tx+n). The sequence of actuation commands is transmitted to and stored in memory of an actuation ECU, which then applies the actuation command for time interval (tx, tx+1). If a fault affects a sensor, a control ECU or data communication therebetween, the actuation ECU will not receive an updated sequence of actuation commands S(tx+1) at time tx+1. If the updated actuation command sequence, the actuation ECU applies the actuation command for the time intervals (tx+1, tx+2), . . . , (tx+n?1, tx+n) from the sequence of actuation commands S(tx) that is stored in the memory of the actuation ECU.

Abstract: A method for ensuring operation of a limited-ability autonomous driving enabled vehicle includes monitoring a plurality of specific conditions necessary for preferred and reliable use of limited-ability autonomous driving, and initiating a fault handling and degradation strategy configured to maneuver the vehicle to a preferred state if the driver is unable to manually control the vehicle when at least one of the specific conditions is either violated or will become violated.

Abstract: A method of controlling an actuator includes developing a sequence of actuation commands S(tx)=C(tx, tx), C(tx, tx+1), . . . , C(tx, tx+n) obtained from data sensed before time tx for controlling the actuator at different time intervals (tx, tx+1), (tx+1, tx+2), . . . , (tx+n?1, tx+n). The sequence of actuation commands is transmitted to and stored in memory of an actuation ECU, which then applies the actuation command for time interval (tx, tx+1). If a fault affects a sensor, a control ECU or data communication therebetween, the actuation ECU will not receive an updated sequence of actuation commands S(tx+1) at time tx+1. If the updated actuation command sequence, the actuation ECU applies the actuation command for the time intervals (tx+1, tx+2), . . . , (tx+n?1, tx+n) from the sequence of actuation commands S(tx) that is stored in the memory of the actuation ECU.

Abstract: A method for ensuring operation of a limited-ability autonomous driving enabled vehicle includes monitoring a plurality of specific conditions necessary for preferred and reliable use of limited-ability autonomous driving, and initiating a fault handling and degradation strategy configured to maneuver the vehicle to a preferred state if the driver is unable to manually control the vehicle when at least one of the specific conditions is either violated or will become violated.

Abstract: A control system and a method for validating operation of the control system are provided. The control system has a first controller operably communicating with a second controller. The first and second controllers have first and second read-only memories, respectively. The method includes executing a first software program in the first controller that retrieves a first key value from the second controller. The method further includes retrieving a second key value from a table using the first key value as an index value. The table is stored in a memory that is accessible by the first software program. The method includes executing at least one mathematical operation in the first software program using at least the second key value to obtain a third key value. The method further includes sending the first and third key values from the first controller to the second controller. The method further includes determining a first validation value based on the first key value utilizing the second controller.

Abstract: A watercraft steer-by-wireless control system including: a directional control system responsive to a directional command signal for steering a watercraft, the directional control system including a rudder position sensor to measure and transmit a rudder position signal, and a helm control system responsive to a helm command signal for receiving a directional input to a helm control unit from an operator, the helm control system including a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal to a master control unit in operable communication with the helm control system and the directional control system; the master control unit includes a position control process for generating the directional command signal in response to the helm position signal; and wherein the helm control unit wirelessly communicates with the helm control system.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.