Abstract: A system for vehicle failure detection is provided. The system includes sensors associated with a primary vehicle to detect a secondary vehicle around the primary vehicle, and a database configured to electronically store characteristic failure thresholds. The system includes a processing device that detects a characteristic associated with the secondary vehicle with the one or more sensors, determines if the detected characteristic associated with the secondary vehicle meets or exceeds the characteristic failure threshold corresponding with the characteristic, and if the detected characteristic exceeds the characteristic failure threshold corresponding with the characteristic, identifies the secondary vehicle as having a detected failure.

Abstract: A system positioned in an autonomous vehicle includes a plurality of sensors, and a processor coupled to a memory and configured to: (i) based upon sensor data, determine an unsafe maneuver and a type of unsafe maneuver of a vehicle; (ii) upon a risk assessment profile for the vehicle existing in the database, (a) retrieve, from the risk assessment profile, historical data including a respective timestamp of one or more types of unsafe maneuver and the one or more types of unsafe maneuver; (b) update the historical data to further include data corresponding to the type of unsafe maneuver and the timestamp when the type of unsafe maneuver was performed; and (c) compute the threat assessment score that is revised based upon updated historical data; and (iii) upon the threat assessment score being above a threshold value, perform an action that increase safety of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A system for occluded area detection for an autonomous vehicle that comprises at least one sensor associated with a vehicle. The at least one sensor is configured to be selectively positioned in a retracted position or a deployed position, wherein in the retracted position, a field-of-view of the at least one sensor is blocked such that the at least one sensor is incapable of detecting an area proximate to the vehicle, and in the deployed position, the field-of-view of the at least one sensor is exposed such that the at least one sensor is capable of detecting the area proximate to the vehicle. A system processing device is in communication with the at least one sensor, and the processing device is configured to execute instructions stored in a processing device memory to determine if the vehicle is in a non-stationary mode or a stationary mode, and thereby determine if the at least one sensor should be moved to the deployed position.

Abstract: A method of generating a trailer loading plan is provided. The method involves receiving information for each of a plurality of packages that includes at least dimensions and a mass of each package, and determining trailer information that includes at least dimensions of a trailer's internal volume. The method further involves determining a position for each of the plurality of packages within the internal volume based at least in part on the information for each of the plurality of packages, the dimensions of the internal volume, and a resulting center of gravity of the trailer and the plurality of packages, e.g., a center of gravity of the trailer when loaded with the plurality of packages in their respective positions, and generating a trailer loading plan that includes the position for each of the plurality of packages within the internal volume. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for protection against hail is provided. The system including a base, at least one arm movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, each at least one arms having a first end coupled to the base and a second end, and a sheet attached to the second end of each of the at least one arm. The sheet being movable between an expanded orientation suspended above the base when each of the at least one arms are in the deployed position with the second end located away from the base and a collapsed orientation.

Abstract: A system for adverse weather protection is provided. The system including a feature and a structure adjacent to the feature, the structure having a first layer and a second layer. The structure is inflatable around the feature defining a first volume between the feature and the first layer, a second volume between the first layer and the second layer and a third volume external to second layer. The first layer and the second layer are sized and dimensioned such that when the second volume is inflated the structure expands around the feature.

Abstract: Systems for augmenting the tracking of driver vehicles are disclosed. The systems include a plurality of sensors positioned on an autonomous vehicle, and a radio frequency receiver(s) positioned on the autonomous vehicle. The system also includes a computing system(s) in electronic communication with the plurality of sensors and the radio frequency receiver(s). The computing system(s) is configured to augment tracking of a driver vehicle by performing processes including detecting object data for the driver vehicle, and receiving at least one radio frequency signal from the driver vehicle(s) and/or an electronic device(s). The process also includes determining drive characteristics relating to the received radio frequency signal(s) and determining if the received radio frequency signal(s) is associated with the driver vehicle. In response to determining the received radio frequency signal(s) is associated with the driver vehicle, generating a predictive drive pattern for the driver vehicle.

Abstract: A system for vehicle bracing is provided. The system includes a vehicle including a front section, a rear section, a first side section, and a second side section opposing the first side section. The system includes a bracing assembly coupled to the vehicle. The bracing assembly includes a first brace and a second brace each capable of being selectively positioned in a retracted position or a deployed position. The system includes a processing device that executes instructions to perform operations that include, in response to a signal from the processing device, selectively positioning the first and second braces in the deployed position such that the first brace extends on the first side section of the vehicle and the second brace extends on the second side section of the vehicle. In the deployed position, the first and second braces stabilize the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle air spring system and methods for controlling vehicle stability using air springs is provided. The vehicle air spring system includes an arrangement of air springs, pressure sensors, one or more air sources, air lines, and air valves that are monitored and regulated by an air pressure and stability control system. The air pressure and stability control system can be configured to utilize pressure sensor data, vehicle driving sensor data, and vehicle stability data to regulate the air pressure of the air springs and stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, the air pressure and stability control system can proactively adjust the air pressure of the air springs in anticipation of a potentially destabilizing event.

Abstract: A method for detecting and reporting cargo lost from an autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving, from a plurality of sensors, at least one sensor signal representing one or more measurements of the vehicle, determining a mass of the vehicle based on the one or more measurements, estimating a center of mass along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle based on the one or more measurements and the mass, and receiving, from the plurality of sensors, at least one sensor signal representing one or more cargo loss-related conditions. The method also includes identifying one or more cargo loss-indicative conditions based on the center of mass estimation and the one or more cargo loss-related conditions, generating a lost cargo detection signal based on at least one of the one or more cargo loss-indicative conditions and a location of the vehicle, and transmitting the lost cargo detection signal to an external receiver.

Abstract: A system for detecting and reporting cargo lost from a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensors, and a cargo loss detection system including a processor and a memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processor configure the processor to: (i) receive, from the plurality of sensors, sensor data representing a plurality of cargo loss-related conditions; (ii) determine a cargo loss event has occurred based on a combination of more than one cargo loss-related conditions of the plurality of cargo loss-related conditions; and (iii) transmit a lost cargo detection signal to an external receiver.

Abstract: A method for detecting and reporting cargo lost from an autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving, from a plurality of sensors, at least one sensor signal representing one or more measurements of the vehicle, determining a mass of the vehicle based on the one or more measurements, estimating a center of mass along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle based on the one or more measurements and the mass, and receiving, from the plurality of sensors, at least one sensor signal representing one or more cargo loss-related conditions. The method also includes identifying one or more cargo loss-indicative conditions based on the center of mass estimation and the one or more cargo loss-related conditions, generating a lost cargo detection signal based on at least one of the one or more cargo loss-indicative conditions and a location of the vehicle, and transmitting the lost cargo detection signal to an external receiver.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including one or more sensors positioned on a body of the autonomous vehicle, at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, configure the at least one processor to: (i) receive sensor data from the one or more sensors; (ii) determine, from the sensor data, presence of an emergency situation and absence of an emergency vehicle at a site of the emergency situation; (iii) in accordance with the determining, trigger a first responder mode of the autonomous vehicle; and (iv) initiate one or more actions to assist or protect people or a property at the site of the emergency situation.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes an autonomy computing system and an exterior surface displaying an indicium. The autonomy computing system includes an incentivized behavior module. The autonomy computing system further includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The processor is configured to establish communication between a client device of a user and the autonomous vehicle using the indicium. The processor is configured to receive, at least one request from the client device, the at least one request including a desired action of the autonomous vehicle. The processor is configured to initiate execution of the desired action. The processor is configured to communicate to the client device whether the autonomous vehicle will complete the requested action.

Abstract: A method for detecting and reporting fires by an autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving, from one or more sensors, at least one sensor signal representing one or more fire-related conditions surrounding the autonomous vehicle, and identifying one or more fire-indicative conditions surrounding the autonomous vehicle based on the one or more fire-related conditions. The method also includes generating a fire detection signal based at least on the one or more fire-indicative conditions, a location of the one or more fire-indicative conditions, and a location of the autonomous vehicle, and transmitting the fire detection signal to an external receiver.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an application server from an autonomous vehicle, telematics data, and based upon analysis of the received telematics data, determining, by the application server, that the autonomous vehicle needs to be rescued. The method includes verifying, by the application server, a health status of a communication connection with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes based upon the health status of the communication connection with the autonomous vehicle, performing, by the application server, a plurality of checks to identify one or more problems with a plurality of modules of the autonomous vehicle, and based upon the plurality of checks indicating no failure corresponding to the plurality of modules of the autonomous vehicle, dispatching a service vehicle to a location of the autonomous vehicle to rescue the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for guiding an autonomous vehicle through known and unknown environments by following a remote vehicle are disclosed. An autonomous vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a computing system including a processor, a memory device, and at least one sensor configured to receive signals from a remote vehicle. The processor is programmed to receive a message to follow a remote vehicle, the follow instruction message including at least one identifier. The processor is further programmed to detect the remote vehicle, confirm the identity of the remote vehicle using the at least one identifier, and then establish a communication link with the remote vehicle. Once the at least one processor determines that the remote vehicle is aligned with the autonomous vehicle, the at least one processor may transmit one or more instructions which cause the autonomous vehicle to follow the remote vehicle.