Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect an unknown object within the field of view by comparing sensor data received from the sensor and a map data. The processor determines a lane occupied by the unknown object. The processor sends a first message to the following AVs comprising location coordinates of the unknown object and instructions to divert the lane. The processor instructs the lead AV to navigate around the unknown object. While navigating around the unknown object, the processor sends a plurality of second messages to an operation server, comprising sensor data related to the unknown object. The operation server updates the map data, indicating the unknown object at the location coordinates.

Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous vehicle to provide the autonomous vehicle's health-related information, identification information, and/or inspection information to a device that may be used by law enforcement or a government agency or a third-party so that the autonomous vehicle can comply with government regulations and can continue to operate on the road.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a construction zone. The processor sends a first message to an operation server, indicating that the construction zone is detected. The processor updates driving instructions of the lead AV to navigate around the construction zone. While navigating around the construction zone, the processor sends sensor data associated with the construction zone to the operation server. The operation server determines an extent of the construction zone. If the operation server determines that the construction zone is extensive, it sends re-routing instructions to the AVs. If the operation server determines that the construction zone is not extensive, it sends instructions to navigate around the construction zone to the AVs.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining whether snow chains are permitted to be used and to deploy snow chains based on traffic signs, weather conditions, and/or road conditions. An example method of autonomous driving operation includes performing a first determination, by a computer located in an autonomous vehicle, whether a use of snow chains is permitted based at least on a location where the autonomous vehicle is operating, performing a second determination that snow chains are required for driving the autonomous vehicle on a road, and sending, in response to the first determination indicating that the use of snow chains is permitted and in response to the second determination, instruction to snow chain devices located on the autonomous vehicle, where the instruction triggers the snow chain devices to deploy snow chains on tires of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying emergency roadside signaling devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a control system for an object placing device of an autonomous vehicle includes a processor, and a computer-readable memory in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to: receive a signal comprising instructions to activate the object placing device; and provide instructions to the object placing device to place a plurality of signaling devices in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying emergency roadside signaling devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a control system for an object placing device of an autonomous vehicle includes a processor, and a computer-readable memory in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to: receive a signal comprising instructions to activate the object placing device; and provide instructions to the object placing device to place a plurality of signaling devices in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road structural change on the particular road. The processor updates driving instructions of the lead AV to navigate through the structural change using driving instructions related to the structural change. The processor sends a first message to the operation server indicating that the structural change is detected. The operation server updates the first portion of the map data, reflecting the structural change. The operation server sends the updated map data to the one or more following AVs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying emergency roadside signaling devices are disclosed. In one aspect, system for an autonomous vehicle includes one or more signaling devices configured to visually notify other vehicles when placed on or near a roadway, and an object placing device configured to place the one or more signaling devices. The system further includes a processor and a computer-readable memory in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to: determine that the autonomous vehicle has experienced a malfunction, and provide instructions to the object placing device to place the one or more signaling devices on or near the roadway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying emergency roadside signaling devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a control system for an object placing device of an autonomous vehicle includes a processor, and a computer-readable memory in communication with the processor and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to: receive a signal comprising instructions to activate the object placing device; and provide instructions to the object placing device to place a plurality of signaling devices in accordance with predetermined criteria.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a detection system for identifying the presence of authorities or emergency vehicles on a road, such as law enforcement vehicles, fire engines, fire trucks, police officers, first responders, traffic cones, flares, etc. The detection system may include audio and visual detection system dedicated to the detection of authorities. Additionally, systems that correlate the detected authorities and/or any audible or visual instructions given by the authorities to changes in the behavior of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may react to the detected authorities or emergency vehicles by determining a driving related operation to safely operate around the detected authorities or emergency vehicles.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a detection system for identifying the presence of authorities or emergency vehicles on a road, such as law enforcement vehicles, fire engines, fire trucks, police officers, first responders, traffic cones, flares, etc. The detection system may include audio and visual detection system dedicated to the detection of authorities. Additionally, systems that correlate the detected authorities and/or any audible or visual instructions given by the authorities to changes in the behavior of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may react to the detected authorities or emergency vehicles by determining a driving related operation to safely operate around the detected authorities or emergency vehicles.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for safe operation. An AV may operate in conjunction with an oversight system, such as when coordinating a fleet of autonomous vehicles. One aim of AV technologies is to provide vehicles that can safely navigate towards a destination with limited or no driver assistance. AVs or other types of vehicles carrying goods may be subject to theft and other undesired disturbances. Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided to ensure a chain of custody for cargoes in an AV. Numbered seals are attached to the doors of an AV to detect unauthorized door open operations. Unauthorized vehicle stops are also detected based on position tracking information of the AV. Changes in cargo weight can also be detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for granting access to autonomous vehicles are disclosed. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes an access sensor located on an exterior of the autonomous vehicle and configured to receive user credentials from an authorized user, a door configured to provide access to the autonomous vehicle, and a network communications subsystem configured to communicate with a remote oversight system. The autonomous vehicle further includes a processor configured to receive the user credentials from the access sensor, transmit the user credentials to the oversight system via the network communications subsystem, receive a confirmation from the oversight system that the user credentials are associated with a user authorized to access the autonomous vehicle, and unlock the door in response to receiving the confirmation to provide the user access to the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous vehicle to provide the autonomous vehicle's health-related information, identification information, and/or inspection information to a device that may be used by law enforcement or a government agency or a third-party so that the autonomous vehicle can comply with government regulations and can continue to operate on the road.

Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous vehicle to provide the autonomous vehicle's health-related information, identification information, and/or inspection information to a device that may be used by law enforcement or a government agency or a third-party so that the autonomous vehicle can comply with government regulations and can continue to operate on the road.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road closure. The processor overrides driving instructions of the lead AV, such that the lead AV is stopped at first location coordinates. The processor sends a first message to an operation server, indicating that the road closure is detected. The operation server update the first portion of the map data, reflecting the road closure. The operation server determines whether re-routing is possible for each AV. If re-routing is possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends re-routing instructions to the AV. If re-routing is not possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends pulling over instructions to the AV.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a detection system for identifying the presence of authorities or emergency vehicles on a road, such as law enforcement vehicles, fire engines, fire trucks, police officers, first responders, traffic cones, flares, etc. The detection system may include audio and visual detection system dedicated to the detection of authorities. Additionally, systems that correlate the detected authorities and/or any audible or visual instructions given by the authorities to changes in the behavior of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may react to the detected authorities or emergency vehicles by determining a driving related operation to safely operate around the detected authorities or emergency vehicles.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road closure. The processor overrides driving instructions of the lead AV, such that the lead AV is stopped at first location coordinates. The processor sends a first message to an operation server, indicating that the road closure is detected. The operation server update the first portion of the map data, reflecting the road closure. The operation server determines whether re-routing is possible for each AV. If re-routing is possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends re-routing instructions to the AV. If re-routing is not possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends pulling over instructions to the AV.

Abstract: A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect an unknown object within the field of view by comparing sensor data received from the sensor and a map data. The processor determines a lane occupied by the unknown object. The processor sends a first message to the following AVs comprising location coordinates of the unknown object and instructions to divert the lane. The processor instructs the lead AV to navigate around the unknown object. While navigating around the unknown object, the processor sends a plurality of second messages to an operation server, comprising sensor data related to the unknown object. The operation server updates the map data, indicating the unknown object at the location coordinates.

Abstract: Techniques are described for an autonomous vehicle to provide the autonomous vehicle's health-related information, identification information, and/or inspection information to a device that may be used by law enforcement or a government agency or a third-party so that the autonomous vehicle can comply with government regulations and can continue to operate on the road.