Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring rides in a vehicle in which a driver of the vehicle picks up a rider at a pickup location and drives the rider to a drop-off destination. The system includes at least one sensor arranged in the vehicle and configured to capture sensor data during the rides, a transceiver configured to communicate with a personal electronic device of a driver of the vehicle, a non-volatile memory configured to store data; and a processor. The system captures sensor data during a ride, receives a ride identifier from the personal electronic device that uniquely identifies the ride, and stores the sensor data captured during the ride with the ride identifier as metadata.

Abstract: A cloud storage backend for managing data of in-vehicle sensing modules is disclosed, which is advantageous for use in the context of a shared vehicle service, such as a car rental service, an autonomous taxi service, or a ride sharing service. The in-vehicle sensing modules are configured to monitor a status of the vehicle and utilize appropriate algorithms, models, or thresholds to interpret sensor data and enrich the data with metadata and event detection. The cloud storage backend receives relevant sensor data, event data, or other metadata from the in-vehicle sensing modules and stores the data in a database which is made accessible by authorized third-parties.

Abstract: Methods for safe and supervised ride hailing experiences by a mobility service provider are disclosed. The methods advantageously utilize a monitoring device which is installed in the vehicle by the driver. The monitoring device enables a monitoring feature in which it records audio and video data during rides in the vehicle. If necessary, such as for resolving a dispute or in the event of an accident, the monitoring device uploads the recorded data to a cloud storage backend. The monitoring device has a recognizable design and is integrated with mobility service provider applications used by both the driver of the vehicle and the riders who hail rides. The services of the monitoring device are operated by a trusted, neutral third-party. The trusted, neutral third-party may provide live qualified support at the touch of a button in an emergency or if the rider/driver simply feels uncomfortable or unsafe.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system for safe and supervised ride hailing experiences by a mobility service provider is disclosed. The system advantageously comprises a monitoring device which is installed in the vehicle by the driver. The monitoring device enables a monitoring feature in which it records audio and video data during rides in the vehicle. If necessary, such as for resolving a dispute or in the event of an accident, the monitoring device uploads the recorded data to a cloud storage backend. The monitoring device has a recognizable design and is integrated with mobility service provider applications used by both the driver of the vehicle and the riders who hail rides. The services of the monitoring device are operated by a trusted, neutral third-party. The trusted, neutral third-party may provide live qualified support at the touch of a button in an emergency or if the rider/driver simply feels uncomfortable or unsafe.

Abstract: A sensing module for monitoring a cabin of a vehicle includes an environmental sensor configured to sense organic compounds in ambient air of the cabin and a particle sensor configured to detect particulate matter in the ambient air. The sensing module further includes a controller operably connected to the environmental sensor and the particle sensor and configured to receive sensor signals from the environmental sensor and the particle sensor and to transmit data to a remote server via the Internet. The sensing module has a housing configured to mount to a windshield of the vehicle. The housing supports the environmental sensor, the particle sensor, and the controller.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring rides in a vehicle in which a driver of the vehicle picks up a rider at a pickup location and drives the rider to a drop-off destination. The system includes at least one sensor arranged in the vehicle and configured to capture sensor data during the rides, a transceiver configured to communicate with a personal electronic device of a driver of the vehicle, a non-volatile memory configured to store data; and a processor. The system captures sensor data during a ride, determines an activity index indicating an activity level within the vehicle during the ride, and stores the sensor data captured during the ride with the activity index as metadata. In response to an upload request, the system uploads sensor data depending on the activity level.

Abstract: An in-vehicle sensing module for monitoring a vehicle is disclosed, which is advantageous for use in the context of a shared vehicle service, such as a car rental service, an autonomous taxi service, or a ride sharing service. The in-vehicle sensing module at least includes a controller, a cellular transceiver, and one or more integrated sensors configured to monitor a status of the vehicle. The in-vehicle sensing module utilizes appropriate algorithms, models, or thresholds to interpret sensor data and enrich the data with metadata and event detection. The in-vehicle sensing module uploads relevant sensor data, event data, or other metadata to a cloud storage backend, which is made accessible by authorized third-parties.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including a cabin having a plurality of interior segments, includes generating image data for each interior segment of the plurality of interior segments with an imaging device located within the cabin. The method further includes processing the generated image data to generate score data including a plurality of scores with a controller operably connected to the imaging device, each score of the plurality of scores corresponding to one of the interior segments of the plurality of interior segments, and combining the generated scores into a single vehicle cleanliness score. The method also includes generating availability data indicating if the vehicle is available or unavailable based on a comparison of the cleanliness score to a cleanliness threshold, and removing the vehicle from service based on the availability data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring rides in a vehicle in which a driver of the vehicle picks up a rider at a pickup location and drives the rider to a drop-off destination. The system includes at least one sensor arranged in the vehicle and configured to capture sensor data during the rides, a transceiver configured to communicate with a personal electronic device of a driver of the vehicle, a non-volatile memory configured to store data; and a processor. The system captures sensor data during a ride, receives a ride identifier from the personal electronic device that uniquely identifies the ride, and stores the sensor data captured during the ride with the ride identifier as metadata.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring rides in a vehicle in which a driver of the vehicle picks up a rider at a pickup location and drives the rider to a drop-off destination. The system includes at least one sensor arranged in the vehicle and configured to capture sensor data during the rides, a transceiver configured to communicate with a remote server, a non-volatile memory configured to store data; and a processor. The system captures sensor data during each ride, stores the sensor data captured during each ride, receives a ride identifier from the personal electronic device that uniquely identifies the ride, and uploads the sensor data of a particular ride to the remote server in response to one of a limited set of a triggering events occurring.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring rides in a vehicle in which a driver of the vehicle picks up a rider at a pickup location and drives the rider to a drop-off destination. The system includes at least one sensor arranged in the vehicle and configured to capture sensor data during the rides, a transceiver configured to communicate with a personal electronic device of a driver of the vehicle, a non-volatile memory configured to store data; and a processor. The system captures sensor data during a ride, determines an activity index indicating an activity level within the vehicle during the ride, and stores the sensor data captured during the ride with the activity index as metadata. In response to an upload request, the system uploads sensor data depending on the activity level.

Abstract: A cloud storage backend for managing data of in-vehicle sensing modules is disclosed, which is advantageous for use in the context of a shared vehicle service, such as a car rental service, an autonomous taxi service, or a ride sharing service. The in-vehicle sensing modules are configured to monitor a status of the vehicle and utilize appropriate algorithms, models, or thresholds to interpret sensor data and enrich the data with metadata and event detection. The cloud storage backend receives relevant sensor data, event data, or other metadata from the in-vehicle sensing modules and stores the data in a database which is made accessible by authorized third-parties.

Abstract: An in-vehicle sensing module for monitoring a vehicle is disclosed, which is advantageous for use in the context of a shared vehicle service, such as a car rental service, an autonomous taxi service, or a ride sharing service. The in-vehicle sensing module at least includes a controller, a cellular transceiver, and one or more integrated sensors configured to monitor a status of the vehicle. The in-vehicle sensing module utilizes appropriate algorithms, models, or thresholds to interpret sensor data and enrich the data with metadata and event detection. The in-vehicle sensing module uploads relevant sensor data, event data, or other metadata to a cloud storage backend, which is made accessible by authorized third-parties.

Abstract: A sensing module for monitoring a cabin of a vehicle includes an environmental sensor configured to sense organic compounds in ambient air of the cabin and a particle sensor configured to detect particulate matter in the ambient air. The sensing module further includes a controller operably connected to the environmental sensor and the particle sensor and configured to receive sensor signals from the environmental sensor and the particle sensor and to transmit data to a remote server via the Internet. The sensing module has a housing configured to mount to a windshield of the vehicle. The housing supports the environmental sensor, the particle sensor, and the controller.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including a cabin having a plurality of interior segments, includes generating image data for each interior segment of the plurality of interior segments with an imaging device located within the cabin. The method further includes processing the generated image data to generate score data including a plurality of scores with a controller operably connected to the imaging device, each score of the plurality of scores corresponding to one of the interior segments of the plurality of interior segments, and combining the generated scores into a single vehicle cleanliness score. The method also includes generating availability data indicating if the vehicle is available or unavailable based on a comparison of the cleanliness score to a cleanliness threshold, and removing the vehicle from service based on the availability data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a graphical vehicle cluster display that conveys vehicle acceleration information. A controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of vehicle acceleration. A substantially circular icon is displayed on the screen when the signal indicates that the acceleration is approximately zero in a forward direction. A stretched elliptic icon is display on the screen when the acceleration of the vehicle in a forward direction is greater than zero. A compressed elliptic icon is displayed on the screen when the acceleration of the vehicle in the forward direction is less than zero.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a graphical vehicle cluster display that conveys vehicle acceleration information. A controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of vehicle acceleration. A substantially circular icon is displayed on the screen when the signal indicates that the acceleration is approximately zero in a forward direction. A stretched elliptic icon is display on the screen when the acceleration of the vehicle in a forward direction is greater than zero. A compressed elliptic icon is displayed on the screen when the acceleration of the vehicle in the forward direction is less than zero.