Abstract: Driving simulations may be generated based on driving log data and used to validate autonomous vehicle safety systems. A driving simulation system may receive driving log data from autonomous vehicles and determine events which caused a vehicle to diverge from a planned trajectory. Driving simulations may be generated based on the driving log data, and executed using a simulated vehicle that follows the initial planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle. The driving simulations may be analyzed to detect potential collisions and near misses, and to determine success conditions for the behaviors of vehicle safety systems. Driving simulations and associated success conditions may be aggregated and used in validation suites for vehicle controllers and/or vehicle safety systems, thereby providing more comprehensive and robust autonomous vehicle validation based on real-world driving scenarios.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for determining a trajectory for use in controlling a vehicle are described. A trajectory determination system may generate a variety of trajectories for potential use in controlling a vehicle, including a maximum braking trajectory that enables the maximum application of the vehicle's brakes. A vehicle computing system may determine a distance between vehicle and an obstacle and stopping distances for the various trajectories and implement the maximum braking trajectory after determining that the distance to stop for that trajectory is the same as, but not substantially greater than, the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.

Abstract: Techniques for procedurally generating scenarios that verify and validate predictions from or operation of a vehicle safety system are discussed herein. Sensors of a vehicle may detect one or more objects in the environment. A model may determine intersection values indicative of probabilities that the object will intersect with a trajectory of the vehicle. A vehicle may receive one or more intersection values from a model usable by a computing device to validate a prediction from a vehicle safety system.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for determining a buffer region for use in controlling a vehicle and avoiding collisions are disclosed herein. A predicted region of travel of a vehicle front bumper may be determined. The position of the front bumper may be determined at points along a center curve of the predicted region of travel and polygons may be determined for the positions. The polygons may be joined and modified using a convex shape-based algorithm to determine a convex polygonal buffer region that is used in collision detection.

Abstract: Techniques for predicting and avoiding collisions with objects detected in an environment based on sensor data are discussed herein. Sensors of a vehicle may detect one or more objects in the environment. A model may determine intersection values indicative of probabilities that the object will follow different paths that intersect with a planned path of the vehicle. A vehicle may receive one or more intersection values from a model usable by a computing device to control the vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle safety system may activate to prevent collisions by detecting that a planned trajectory may result in a collision. If the safety system is overly sensitive, it may cause false positive activations, and if the system isn't sensitive enough the collision avoidance system may not activate and prevent a collision, which is unacceptable. It may be impossible or prohibitively difficult to detect false positive activations of a safety system and it is unacceptable to risk a false negative, so tuning the safety system is notoriously difficult. Tuning the safety system may include detecting near-miss events using surrogate metrics, and tuning the safety system to increase or decrease a rate of near-miss events as a stand-in for false positives.

Abstract: Determining whether another entity is coordinating with an autonomous vehicle and/or to what extent the other entity's behavior is based on the autonomous vehicle may comprise determining a collaboration score and/or negotiation score based at least in part on sensor data. The collaboration score may indicate an extent to which the entity is collaborating with the autonomous vehicle to navigate (e.g., a likelihood that the entity is increasingly yielding the right of way to the autonomous vehicle based on the autonomous vehicle's actions). A negotiation score may indicate an extent to which behavior exhibited by the entity is based on actions of the autonomous vehicle (e.g., how well the autonomous vehicle and the entity are communicating with their actions).

Abstract: Techniques for predicting and avoiding collisions with objects detected in an environment based on sensor data are discussed herein. Sensors of a vehicle may detect one or more objects in the environment. A model may determine intersection values indicative of probabilities that the object will follow different paths that intersect with a planned path of the vehicle. A vehicle may receive one or more intersection values from a model usable by a computing device to control the vehicle.

Abstract: Historical aircraft data recorded during flight associated with a plurality of aircraft engines and a plurality of prior aircraft flights is accessed and metrics from the aircraft data recorded during flight is automatically calculated on a per-flight basis, and a probabilistic model is employed to capture and represent relationships based on the calculated metrics, the relationships including a plurality of engine parameters and flight parameters. Conditional probability distributions are then calculated for a particular aircraft engine during a potential or historical aircraft flight based on the probabilistic model, engine parameter values associated with the particular aircraft engine, and flight parameter values associated with the potential or historical aircraft flight, and indications associated with the calculated conditional probability distributions are displayed.

Abstract: Historical aircraft data recorded during flight associated with a plurality of aircraft engines and a plurality of prior aircraft flights is accessed and metrics from the aircraft data recorded during flight is automatically calculated on a per-flight basis, and a probabilistic model is employed to capture and represent relationships based on the calculated metrics, the relationships including a plurality of engine parameters and flight parameters. Conditional probability distributions are then calculated for a particular aircraft engine during a potential or historical aircraft flight based on the probabilistic model, engine parameter values associated with the particular aircraft engine, and flight parameter values associated with the potential or historical aircraft flight, and indications associated with the calculated conditional probability distributions are displayed.