Abstract: A method includes using sensory data produced by at least one onboard sensor of a witness vehicle to predict an imminent collision in an environment of the witness vehicle, the predicted imminent collision involving at least one participant vehicle; and alerting the least one participant vehicle to the predicted imminent collision, wherein the alerting is performed by the witness vehicle and prompts the at least one participant vehicle to perform at least one action to mitigate the predicted imminent collision.

Abstract: A method is described and includes subsequent to an autonomous vehicle becoming immobilized, initiating a local assistance request; subsequent to the initiating, receiving local assistance input from a passenger of the autonomous vehicle; and using the local assistance input to determine an action to be taken by the autonomous vehicle to mobilize the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for analyzing a traffic infrastructure element, determining reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element based on the analyzing of the traffic infrastructure element, comparing the reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element with semantic map information of the traffic infrastructure element, and providing instructions to an autonomous vehicle based on the comparing of the reflectivity information of the traffic infrastructure element with the semantic map information of the traffic infrastructure element.

Abstract: A method includes determining that an object has fallen to a surface of interest in an interior cabin of a vehicle during a transportation service provided using the vehicle; tracking a location of the object on the surface of interest using at least one interior sensor; updating tracking information for the object, the tracking information including the tracked location of the object and a time at which the location was tracked; inferring a continued existence of the object after the object has moved out of a view of the at least one interior sensor and tagging the object as obscured from view in the tracking information for the object; identifying a user associated with the transportation service; and alerting the identified user to retrieve the object.

Abstract: A method is described and includes subsequent to an autonomous vehicle becoming immobilized, initiating a local assistance request; subsequent to the initiating, receiving local assistance input from a passenger of the autonomous vehicle; and using the local assistance input to determine an action to be taken by the autonomous vehicle to mobilize the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to solutions for reducing or eliminating motion sickness experienced by a vehicle occupant/passenger. In some aspects, a process of the disclosed technology includes steps for collecting motion data associated with a vehicle using one or more environmental sensors, tracking eye movements of a user within a cabin of the vehicle, processing the motion data and the eye movements to identify a motion event, and generating a motion compensation signal based on the motion event. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for determining, by an AV, whether a roadway is closed by determining and understanding the intent of the emergency vehicle. A method comprises navigating an autonomous vehicle (AV) along a roadway; receiving road data, by the AV, wherein the road data corresponds with at least one emergency vehicle; identifying the at least one emergency vehicle; determining a pose of the at least one emergency vehicle in relation to the roadway; and determining if the roadway is closed based on the pose of the emergency vehicle in relation to the roadway. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for detecting occurrence of traffic scenes and characterizing performance of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in relation to said traffic scenes. An example method includes receiving a collection of data compiled by one or more AVs while navigating a real-world environment, wherein the one or more AVs are configured to execute a first version of AV software; identifying, based on at least one traffic scene selector and the collection of data, a plurality of traffic scene datasets each corresponding to an instance in which the one or more AVs encountered a traffic scene; and determining, based on the plurality of traffic scene datasets, one or more metrics for characterizing an operation of the one or more AVs in relation to the traffic scene.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for detecting construction zones by an autonomous vehicle. An example method includes detecting, by an autonomous vehicle, a first construction object and a second construction object; determining an association between the first construction object and the second construction object, wherein the association is based on at least one distance between the first construction object and the second construction object; identifying, based on the association, at least one temporary traffic restriction corresponding to the first construction object and the second construction object; and configuring a route of the autonomous vehicle based on the at least one temporary traffic restriction.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for determining a directionality of temporary traffic lanes. An example method can include detecting, based on sensor data from sensors of a vehicle, a temporary traffic lane on a road configured for use by traffic to navigate the road in lieu of a pre-existing traffic lane on the road, wherein a boundary of the temporary traffic lane is defined by objects on the road; detecting, based on the sensor data, cues indicating a directionality of the temporary traffic lane based on a first indication of a direction of travel of a vehicle traveling through the temporary traffic lane or an adjacent temporary traffic lane, a second indication of directionality provided by a human traffic controller in the road, and/or a third indication of directionality predicted based on objects on the road; and detecting the directionality of the temporary traffic lane based on the cues.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates systems and techniques for classification of signs and gestures pertaining to traffic and, more specifically, to autonomous vehicle based classification of signs and gestures of humans controlling traffic (HCTs). In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a process for identifying, using one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle (AV), a human controlling traffic (HCT) and recognizing a set of instructions from the HCT, wherein the set of instructions comprises a set of sensory data. In some aspects, the process can further include operations for modifying a trajectory of the AV based on the set of instructions received from the HCT and based on a determination on whether the set of instructions are intended for the AV.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for implementing dynamic autonomous vehicle (AV) dispatch services. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for receiving a dispatch request from a mobile device associated with a user, wherein the dispatch request comprises a first pick-up location associated with the user, dispatching a first autonomous vehicle (AV) to the first pick-up location in response to the dispatch request, and automatically receiving an updated location of the mobile device associated with the user. In some aspects, the process can further include steps for determining a second pick-up location based on a change between the first pick-up location and the updated location, and transmitting an updated dispatch request based on the updated location of the mobile device. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a system and method to help enable a towing vehicle. In an example, the system can identify a location of the disabled vehicle, deploy the towing vehicle to the location of the disabled vehicle, where the towing vehicle uses sensor data from a sensor suite and a perception module to navigate to the location of the disabled vehicle, and use the towing vehicle to tow the disabled vehicle to a new location.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) uses an authentication system to verify that a person on the street attempting to control behavior of the AV is authorized to do so. An authorized person (e.g., a construction worker or a police officer) has an associated beacon that provides a beacon signal, such as a visual symbol or wireless signal. The AV perceives the beacon signal and transmits it to the authentication system. The authentication system looks up the beacon signal in a database and retrieves conditions associated with the beacon signal. If the authentication system and/or AV confirms that the beacon signal is in the database, and the conditions under which the person associated with the beacon signal is authorized to control the AV are met, the AV follows instructions from the person.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a system and method to help enable a towing vehicle. In an example, the system can identify a location of the disabled vehicle, deploy the towing vehicle to the location of the disabled vehicle, where the towing vehicle uses sensor data from a sensor suite and a perception module to navigate to the location of the disabled vehicle, and use the towing vehicle to tow the disabled vehicle to a new location.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for improving the operational efficiency and safety of autonomous vehicles (AVs). In some implementations, the disclosed technology encompasses methods for performing vehicle clustering or platooning, for example, that can include steps for computing navigation routes for each of a plurality of autonomous vehicles (AVs), identifying a route overlap for a first AV and a second AV selected from among the plurality of AVs, and transmitting a clustering instruction to the first AV and the second AV based on the route overlap, wherein the clustering instruction is configured to cause the first AV and the second AV to initiate a clustering configuration. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The present technology utilizes vehicles in a fleet of vehicles to record weather data samples at many locations in a service area. Each vehicle in the fleet becomes a weather station that can record weather data at many locations and frequently. The weather data can be used to make intelligent decisions regarding fleet management.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to solutions for reducing or eliminating motion sickness experienced by a vehicle occupant/passenger. In some aspects, a process of the disclosed technology includes steps for collecting motion data associated with a vehicle using one or more environmental sensors, tracking eye movements of a user within a cabin of the vehicle, processing the motion data and the eye movements to identify a motion event, and generating a motion compensation signal based on the motion event. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes determining that an object has fallen to a surface of interest in an interior cabin of a vehicle during a transportation service provided using the vehicle; tracking a location of the object on the surface of interest using at least one interior sensor; updating tracking information for the object, the tracking information including the tracked location of the object and a time at which the location was tracked; inferring a continued existence of the object after the object has moved out of a view of the at least one interior sensor and tagging the object as obscured from view in the tracking information for the object; identifying a user associated with the transportation service; and alerting the identified user to retrieve the object.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to solutions for reducing or eliminating motion sickness experienced by a vehicle occupant/passenger. In some aspects, a process of the disclosed technology includes steps for collecting motion data associated with a vehicle using one or more environmental sensors, tracking eye movements of a user within a cabin of the vehicle, processing the motion data and the eye movements to identify a motion event, and generating a motion compensation signal based on the motion event. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.