Abstract: A method includes performing multiple steps of a route planning procedure based on starting and ending locations. Each of multiple steps of the route planning procedure includes maintaining information that identifies candidate routes by which graph elements can be reached or occupied during a current step, updating an accumulated cost for each of the candidate routes, updating an accumulated benefit for each of the candidate routes, determining a minimum return cost to the ending location for each candidate route, and eliminating candidate routes that cannot reach the ending location within a cost budget. A highest-benefit route from the candidate routes is selected.

Abstract: A mobile ecosystem is disclosed that includes a vehicle with an autonomous control system configured to obtain vehicle information including a vehicle location of the vehicle and obtain user information including a user location of a user device. Based on a cost function that estimates a value of a confidence level above a confidence threshold using the user information, the autonomous control system can determine that a user of the user device is ready for a pickup by the vehicle, identify a pickup location for the vehicle based on the user information and the vehicle information, and determine a trajectory from the vehicle location to the pickup location. The vehicle includes a propulsion system configured to cause motion of the vehicle from the vehicle location toward the pickup location according to the trajectory.