Abstract: Systems and methods for providing indications to identify a selected autonomous vehicle, thereby distinguishing the selected autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. In particular, autonomous vehicles that are not paired with a specific nearby user may employ various exterior indicators to dissuade the user from entering. Additionally, autonomous vehicles that are not paired with the specific nearby user may provide guidance toward the user's autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for detecting malodor within a cabin of an autonomous vehicle, wherein initiation of a remediation system and/or dispatch of the autonomous vehicle to a service hub for mitigating the malodor is based upon sensor signals that monitor the cabin of the autonomous vehicle. The remediation system can include devices such as an HVAC system or a window, which are operated to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle when the concentration of airborne molecules exceeds an air quality threshold. A dispatch protocol may be initiated to dispatch the autonomous vehicle to a service hub when the malodor is associated with certain predefined incidents or when remediation fails to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules below the air quality threshold.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for optimizing autonomous vehicle activities at a fleet level. A process of the disclosed technology can include measuring a first set of cost metrics for a first plurality of autonomous vehicles (AVs) associated with a first vehicle routing version, wherein the first set of cost metrics comprises energy consumption values for two or more of the first plurality of AVs, measuring a second set of cost metrics for a second plurality of AVs associated with a second vehicle routing version, wherein the second set of cost metrics comprises energy consumption values for two or more of the second plurality of AVs, and comparing the first set of cost metrics with the second set of cost metrics to determine routing updates configured to reduce fleetwide energy consumption.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) implements a notification system that provides notifications to user devices in nearby vehicles to alert drivers of the nearby vehicles of the AV's planned behavior. The notifications are delivered wirelessly and output by the user device to the drivers. The planned behaviors of the AV may not be conveyed by existing mechanisms, such as turning signals or hazard lights. The AV or the receiving user device may determine when an AV's planned behavior may impact a particular driver, and provide relevant notifications to the driver.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to ways to identify self-hit data collected by autonomous vehicle (AV) sensors. In some aspects, a method of the disclosed technology includes steps for generating a geometric model of an autonomous vehicle (AV), wherein the geometric model specifies physical boundaries of the AV in three-dimensional (3D) space, collecting sensor data for an environment around the AV, and identifying one or more data points, from among the collected sensor data, that correspond with a surface of the AV. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to ways to identify self-hit data collected by autonomous vehicle (AV) sensors. In some aspects, a method of the disclosed technology includes steps for generating a geometric model of an autonomous vehicle (AV), wherein the geometric model specifies physical boundaries of the AV in three-dimensional (3D) space, collecting sensor data for an environment around the AV, and identifying one or more data points, from among the collected sensor data, that correspond with a surface of the AV. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A fleet management system implements a rewards-based feedback system to receive feedback from users of a rideshare service that provides rides using autonomous vehicles (AVs). The fleet management system maintains user accounts associated with each user and provides reward points to each user account. When the user is riding in an AV, the user can access a user interface to select a portion of the reward points and reward them to the AV. The fleet management system may analyze the point rewards to identify individual user preferences, to identify preferences across users, or to identify AVs for maintenance or other types of modification.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) implements a notification system that provides notifications to user devices in nearby vehicles to alert drivers of the nearby vehicles of the AV's planned behavior. The notifications are delivered wirelessly and output by the user device to the drivers. The planned behaviors of the AV may not be conveyed by existing mechanisms, such as turning signals or hazard lights. The AV or the receiving user device may determine when an AV's planned behavior may impact a particular driver, and provide relevant notifications to the driver.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to context aware real-time power adjusting for steerable lidar. A lidar system can include a laser source (e.g., FMCW) configured to emit an optical signal. The lidar system can further include a scanner configured to direct the optical signal emitted by the laser source from the lidar system into an environment. The optical signal can be directed over a field of view in the environment during time periods of frames. The lidar system can further include a controller configured to modulate a power of the optical signal emitted by the laser source between the frames and/or within one or more of the frames. The controller can modulate the power of the optical signal emitted by the laser source based on a position of the lidar system in the environment and a direction in which the optical signal is to be transmitted into the environment.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to ways to determine the mass of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle (AV), based on the vehicle pose. In some aspects, a method of the disclosed technology includes steps for measuring a first pose of a vehicle using one or more environmental sensors, measuring a second pose of the vehicle using the one or more environmental sensors, and calculating a mass of the vehicle based on the first pose and the second pose. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for vehicle charging and in particular, for automating vehicle charging operations. In some aspects, an automated charging station is provided. The charging station can include a base, a rotary actuator mounted to the base, and an arm coupled to the first rotary actuator at a proximal portion, wherein the first rotary actuator is configured to rotate the arm about a z-axis with respect to the base. In some aspects, the automated charging station further includes a linear actuator coupled to the arm at a distal portion, and a charging assembly coupled to the linear actuator, wherein the linear actuator is configured to actuate the charging assembly in a linear direction with respect to the base. Methods for assembling and using an automated charging station are also provided.

Abstract: A fleet management system implements a rewards-based feedback system to receive feedback from users of a rideshare service that provides rides using autonomous vehicles (AVs). The fleet management system maintains user accounts associated with each user and provides reward points to each user account. When the user is riding in an AV, the user can access a user interface to select a portion of the reward points and reward them to the AV. The fleet management system may analyze the point rewards to identify individual user preferences, to identify preferences across users, or to identify AVs for maintenance or other types of modification.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for detecting malodor within a cabin of an autonomous vehicle, wherein initiation of a remediation system and/or dispatch of the autonomous vehicle to a service hub for mitigating the malodor is based upon sensor signals that monitor the cabin of the autonomous vehicle. The remediation system can include devices such as an HVAC system or a window, which are operated to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle when the concentration of airborne molecules exceeds an air quality threshold. A dispatch protocol may be initiated to dispatch the autonomous vehicle to a service hub when the malodor is associated with certain predefined incidents or when remediation fails to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules below the air quality threshold.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) implements a notification system that provides notifications to user devices in nearby vehicles to alert drivers of the nearby vehicles of the AV's planned behavior. The notifications are delivered wirelessly and output by the user device to the drivers. The planned behaviors of the AV may not be conveyed by existing mechanisms, such as turning signals or hazard lights. The AV or the receiving user device may determine when an AV's planned behavior may impact a particular driver, and provide relevant notifications to the driver.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing indications to identify a selected autonomous vehicle, thereby distinguishing the selected autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. In particular, autonomous vehicles that are not paired with a specific nearby user may employ various exterior indicators to dissuade the user from entering. Additionally, autonomous vehicles that are not paired with the specific nearby user may provide guidance toward the user's autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: A fleet management system implements a rewards-based feedback system to receive feedback from users of a rideshare service that provides rides using autonomous vehicles (AVs). The fleet management system maintains user accounts associated with each user and provides reward points to each user account. When the user is riding in an AV, the user can access a user interface to select a portion of the reward points and reward them to the AV. The fleet management system may analyze the point rewards to identify individual user preferences, to identify preferences across users, or to identify AVs for maintenance or other types of modification.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to techniques for optimizing autonomous vehicle activities at a fleet level. A process of the disclosed technology can include measuring a first set of cost metrics for a first plurality of autonomous vehicles (AVs) associated with a first vehicle routing version, wherein the first set of cost metrics comprises energy consumption values for two or more of the first plurality of AVs, measuring a second set of cost metrics for a second plurality of AVs associated with a second vehicle routing version, wherein the second set of cost metrics comprises energy consumption values for two or more of the second plurality of AVs, and comparing the first set of cost metrics with the second set of cost metrics to determine routing updates configured to reduce fleetwide energy consumption.