Abstract: According to one aspect, a method for detecting a location from which at least one sound signal originates, includes obtaining, on a microphone array of a vehicle, the at least one sound signal from a sound source, the sound source being external to the vehicle, the vehicle having a plurality of sides. The method also includes identifying, based on at least one measure associated with the at least one sound signal as obtained on the microphone array, at least a first side of the plurality of sides as being closest to the sound source.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an autonomous vehicle that includes a lidar unit collects lidar point cloud data that includes false returns or false positives, and characterizes the data associated with the false returns or false positives as drivable or not drivable. The false returns or false positives may be phantom points that are not associated with actual objects which may pose collision risks. Analyzing lidar point cloud data to characterize false returns or false positives as either drivable or not drivable enables an autonomous vehicle to operate efficiently by not having to avoid non-existent collision risks. False positives may be indicated when a wet or icy road surface acts as a mirror which reflects objects, and when precipitation such as raindrops appear as objects. Characterizing such false positives as drivable facilitates the efficient operation of an autonomous vehicle as the autonomous vehicle may drive over a mirror and/or through precipitation.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is operated using a main autonomy system that analyzes data collected by a sensor system of the autonomous vehicle to determine a trajectory of travel of the autonomous vehicle, and wherein the main autonomy system provides instructions to a propulsion system of the autonomous vehicle to cause the propulsion system to navigate the autonomous vehicle according to the trajectory. In response to determining that navigating the autonomous vehicle according to the trajectory is likely to result in collision, instructions are provided from a parallel autonomy system to the propulsion system to cause the autonomous vehicle to avoid collision. In response to detecting a fault in the main autonomy system, control of the propulsion system is provided from the main autonomy system to a failover autonomy system, wherein the failover autonomy system is configured to override the propulsion system.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method for detecting a location from which at least one sound signal originates, includes obtaining, on a microphone array of a vehicle, the at least one sound signal from a sound source, the sound source being external to the vehicle, the vehicle having a plurality of sides. The method also includes identifying, based on at least one measure associated with the at least one sound signal as obtained on the microphone array, at least a first side of the plurality of sides as being closest to the sound source.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining, at a first unit, a first signal, and storing an indication of an arrival time of the first signal in a register of the first unit. The method also includes obtaining a digital signal to be provided to a controller area network (CAN) circuit system, the CAN circuit system being included in the first unit, adding the indication to the digital signal, wherein adding the indication to the digital signal creates an updated digital signal, and providing the updated digital signal to the CAN circuit system.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is operated using a main autonomy system that analyzes data collected by a sensor system of the autonomous vehicle to determine a trajectory of travel of the autonomous vehicle, and wherein the main autonomy system provides instructions to a propulsion system of the autonomous vehicle to cause the propulsion system to navigate the autonomous vehicle according to the trajectory. In response to determining that navigating the autonomous vehicle according to the trajectory is likely to result in collision, instructions are provided from a parallel autonomy system to the propulsion system to cause the autonomous vehicle to avoid collision. In response to detecting a fault in the main autonomy system, control of the propulsion system is provided from the main autonomy system to a failover autonomy system, wherein the failover autonomy system is configured to override the propulsion system.