Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for constructing, using, and updating the sparse map for autonomous vehicle navigation. A method may comprise processing, by a mapping server, collected navigation information from a plurality of vehicles obtained by sensors coupled to the plurality of vehicles, wherein the navigation information describes road lanes of a road segment; collecting data about landmarks identified proximate to the road segment, the landmarking including a traffic sign; generating, by the mapping server, an autonomous vehicle map for the road segment, wherein the autonomous vehicle map includes a spline corresponding to a lane in the road segment and the landmarks identified proximate to the road segment; and distributing, by the mapping server, the autonomous vehicle map to an autonomous vehicle for use in autonomous navigation over the road segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods navigate a vehicle on a road at least partially covered with snow. In one implementation, a system may include at least one processor programmed to receive from an image capture device, a plurality of images captured of an environment forward of the vehicle, including an area where snow covers a road on which the vehicle travels, analyze at least one of the plurality of images to identify a first free space boundary on a first side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, a second free space boundary on a passenger side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, and a forward free space boundary forward of the vehicle and extending between the first free space boundary and the second free space boundary.

Abstract: A system and method estimate a future path ahead of a current location of a vehicle. The system includes at least one processor programmed to: obtain an image of an environment ahead of a current arbitrary location of a vehicle navigating a road; obtain a trained system that was trained to estimate a future path on a first plurality of images of environments ahead of vehicles navigating roads; apply the trained system to the image of the environment ahead of the current arbitrary location of the vehicle; and provide, based on the application of the trained system to the image, an estimated future path of the vehicle ahead of the current arbitrary location.

Abstract: A system and method estimate a future path ahead of a current location of a vehicle. The system includes at least one processor programmed to obtain a trained system that was trained to estimate a future path on a first plurality of images of environments ahead of vehicles navigating roads. The at least one processor is also programmed to obtain an image of an environment ahead of a current arbitrary location of a vehicle navigating a road, and provide, based on an application of the trained system to the obtained image, an estimated future path of the vehicle ahead of the current arbitrary location.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle is provided. The detection system may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area forward of the vehicle, the area including a curb separating a road surface from an off-road surface and a data interface. The detection system may also include at least one processing device programmed to receive the plurality of images via the data interface, and determine a plurality of curb edge line candidates in the plurality of images. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to identify at least one edge line candidate as an edge line of the curb.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vehicle navigation. In one implementation, a navigation system for a vehicle may comprise at least one processor. The at least one processor may be programmed to receive, from at least one sensor of the vehicle, information captured from an environment of the vehicle and determine, based on the information, a first position of the vehicle relative to a road navigation model. The at least one processor may further determine, based on at least one signal received from a satellite, a second position of the vehicle and determine, based on a comparison of the first position and the second position, error information associated with the second position. The at least one processor may cause a transmission of the error information to a server.

Abstract: A system for autonomously navigating a vehicle along a road segment may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be programmed to receive from at least one sensor information relating to one or more aspects of the road segment. The processor may also be programmed to determine a local feature of the road segment based on the received information. Further the processor may be programmed to compare the local feature to a predetermined signature feature for the road segment. The processor may be programmed to determine a current location of the vehicle along a predetermined road model trajectory associated with the road segment based on the comparison of the received information and the predetermined signature feature. The processor may also be programmed to determine an autonomous steering action for the vehicle based on a direction of the predetermined road model trajectory at the determined location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for constructing, using, and updating the sparse map for autonomous vehicle navigation. In one implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a sparse map for autonomous vehicle navigation along a road segment. The sparse map includes a polynomial representation of a target trajectory for the autonomous vehicle along the road segment and a plurality of predetermined landmarks associated with the road segment, wherein the plurality of predetermined landmarks are spaced apart by at least 50 meters. The sparse map has a data density of no more than 1 megabyte per kilometer.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle is provided. The detection system may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area forward of the vehicle, the area including a curb separating a road surface from an off-road surface and a data interface. The detection system may also include at least one processing device programmed to receive the plurality of images via the data interface, and determine a plurality of curb edge line candidates in the plurality of images. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to identify at least one edge line candidate as an edge line of the curb.

Abstract: Systems and methods navigate a vehicle on a road at least partially covered with snow. In one implementation, a system may include at least one processor programmed to receive from an image capture device, a plurality of images captured of an environment forward of the vehicle, including an area where snow covers a road on which the vehicle travels, analyze at least one of the plurality of images to identify a first free space boundary on a first side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, a second free space boundary on a passenger side of the vehicle and extending forward of the vehicle, and a forward free space boundary forward of the vehicle and extending between the first free space boundary and the second free space boundary.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle is provided. The detection system may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area forward of the vehicle, the area including a curb separating a road surface from an off-road surface and a data interface. The detection system may also include at least one processing device programmed to receive the plurality of images via the data interface, and determine a plurality of curb edge line candidates in the plurality of images. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to identify at least one edge line candidate as an edge line of the curb.

Abstract: A system for sparse map autonomous navigation of a vehicle along a road segment may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be programmed to receive a sparse map of the road segment. The sparse map may have a data density of no more than 1 megabyte per kilometer. The at least one processor may be programmed to receive from a camera, at least one image representative of an environment of the vehicle, and determine an autonomous navigational response for the vehicle based on the analysis of the sparse map and the at least one image received from the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods navigate a vehicle on a road with snow covering at least some lane markings and road edges. In one implementation, a system may include at least one processor programmed to receive from an image capture device, at least one environmental image forward of the vehicle, including areas where snow covers at least some lane markings and road edges, identify, based on an analysis of the at least one image, at least a portion of the road that is covered with snow and probable locations for road edges bounding the at least a portion of the road that is covered with snow, and cause the vehicle to navigate a navigational path that includes the identified portion of the road and falls within the determined probable locations for the road edges.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning navigation information from a plurality of vehicles. A server may be configured to receive navigation information from a plurality of vehicles, wherein the navigation information is associated with a common road segment. The server may align the navigation information within a coordinate system local to the common road segment, wherein the local coordinate system comprises a coordinate system based on a plurality of images captured by image sensors included on the plurality of vehicles; store the aligned navigational information in association with the common road segment; and distribute the aligned navigational information to one or more autonomous vehicles for use in autonomously navigating the one or more autonomous vehicles along the common road segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for constructing, using, and updating the sparse map for autonomous vehicle navigation. A system may comprise a processor and a memory. The memory may include instructions, which when executed on the processor, cause the processor to maintain a map; determine, based on analysis of image data, an existence of a non-transient condition that is inconsistent with the map, the image data from a camera integrated with the autonomous vehicle; and update the map.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for constructing, using, and updating the sparse map for autonomous vehicle navigation. A method may comprise processing, by a mapping server, collected navigation information from a plurality of vehicles obtained by sensors coupled to the plurality of vehicles, wherein the navigation information describes road lanes of a road segment; collecting data about landmarks identified proximate to the road segment, the landmarking including a traffic sign; generating, by the mapping server, an autonomous vehicle map for the road segment, wherein the autonomous vehicle map includes a spline corresponding to a lane in the road segment and the landmarks identified proximate to the road segment; and distributing, by the mapping server, the autonomous vehicle map to an autonomous vehicle for use in autonomous navigation over the road segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing maps to an autonomous vehicle. Methods include maintaining a road model that includes trajectories associated with a road segment, the trajectories used to assist the autonomous vehicle to navigate on a target trajectory consistent with the road model; determining, based on analysis of image data, an existence of a non-transient condition that is inconsistent with the road model, the image data from a camera integrated with the autonomous vehicle, wherein the autonomous vehicle is configured to deviate from the target trajectory based on the existence of the non-transient condition; and storing information about the non-transient condition for updating the road model.

Abstract: Systems and methods of processing crowdsourced navigation information for use in autonomous vehicle navigation are disclosed. A method may include processing, by a mapping server, crowdsourced navigation information from a plurality of vehicles obtained by sensors coupled to the plurality of vehicles, wherein the navigation information describes road lanes of a road segment; collecting data about landmarks identified proximate to the road segment, the landmarking including a traffic sign; generating, by the mapping server, an autonomous vehicle map for the road segment, wherein the autonomous vehicle map includes a spline corresponding to a lane in the road segment and the landmarks identified proximate to the road segment; and distributing, by the mapping server, the autonomous vehicle map to an autonomous vehicle for use in autonomous navigation over the road segment.

Abstract: A detection system for a vehicle is provided. The detection system may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area forward of the vehicle, the area including a curb separating a road surface from an off-road surface and a data interface. The detection system may also include at least one processing device programmed to receive the plurality of images via the data interface, and determine a plurality of curb edge line candidates in the plurality of images. The at least one processing device may be further programmed to identify at least one edge line candidate as an edge line of the curb.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes a sparse map for autonomous vehicle navigation along a road segment. The sparse map includes a polynomial representation of a target trajectory for the autonomous vehicle along the road segment, and a plurality of predetermined landmarks associated with the road segment. The plurality of predetermined landmarks are spaced apart by at least 50 meters, and the sparse map has a data density of no more than 1 megabyte per kilometer.