Abstract: A method generating planning-based attention signals includes receiving driving-scene data. The driving-scene data is indicative of a driving scene around a host vehicle. The driving-scene data includes map data and localization data. The driving scene includes a plurality of actors. The method further includes converting the driving-scene data into a scene-graph. The method further includes inputting the scene-graph into a deep neural network (DNN). Further, the method includes determining an attention score for each of the plurality of actors using the DNN and the scene-graph. The attention score of each of the plurality of actors represents a priority given to each of the plurality of actors in the driving scene. The method further includes commanding the host vehicle to autonomously drive according to a trajectory determined by taking into account the attention score of each of the plurality of actors.

Abstract: A method for efficient autonomous driving planning includes receiving a current driving-scene data and a predicted driving-scene data. The current driving-scene data is indicative of a current driving scene around a host vehicle. The predicted driving-scene data is indicative of a predicted driving scene around the host vehicle. The predicted driving scene around the host vehicle is different from the current driving scene around the host vehicle. The method further includes converting the current driving-scene data and the predicted driving-scene data into a first scene-graph and a second scene-graph, respectively. The method further includes determining a plurality of scene change metrics using the first scene-graph and the second scene-graph. The method further includes selecting between a first trajectory planning process and a second trajectory planning process based on the plurality of scene change metrics.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to: generate a simulated environment, the simulated environment representing a plurality of driving situations, and generate, via a reinforcement learning agent, at least one calibration parameter based on simulated vehicle operations within a simulated environment.

Abstract: A method for generating an occlusion map using crowdsourcing includes receiving occlusion data from a host vehicle. The occlusion data includes a plurality of virtual detection lines each extending from the sensor and intersecting an off-road area. The method further includes marking all non-occluded points that are located inside the off-road area and that are located within a predetermined distance from each plurality of virtual detection lines. The method further includes determining a non-occluded region inside the off-road area using the non-occluded points that have been previously marked inside the off-road area, wherein the non-occluded region is part of non-occlusion data. The method further includes generating an occlusion map using the non-occlusion data. The method further includes transmitting the occlusion map to the host vehicle. The method can also determine an occlusion caused by an elevation peak.

Abstract: A vehicle and a system method of operating the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a monitoring module and a mitigation module operating on a processor. The monitoring module is configured to measure a degradation in an operation parameter of the vehicle, the vehicle operating in a first state based on a first value of a set of adaptive parameters. The mitigation module is configured to determine a threat to the vehicle due to operating the vehicle in the first state with the degradation in the operation parameter and adjust the set of adaptive parameters from the first value to a second value that mitigates the threat to the vehicle, wherein the processor operates the vehicle in a second state based on the second value.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to: execute an autonomous vehicle algorithm simulating vehicle operations within a simulated environment. The simulated environment represents a plurality of driving situations. The memory also includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to: determine a challenge rating for the driving situation, determine an autonomous vehicle performance assessment score corresponding to the simulated environment, compare the autonomous vehicle performance assessment score with a human driving score corresponding to the simulated environment, and generate a performance profile based on the comparison. In some implementations, a vehicle computer can determine a challenge rating and generate at least one of a driver takeover recommendation or an alert indicating a presence of a fault based on a comparison of vehicle performance with the challenge rating.

Abstract: A method for generating an occlusion map using crowdsourcing includes receiving occlusion data from a host vehicle. The occlusion data includes a plurality of virtual detection lines each extending from the sensor and intersecting an off-road area. The method further includes marking all non-occluded points that are located inside the off-road area and that are located within a predetermined distance from each plurality of virtual detection lines. The method further includes determining a non-occluded region inside the off-road area using the non-occluded points that have been previously marked inside the off-road area, wherein the non-occluded region is part of non-occlusion data. The method further includes generating an occlusion map using the non-occlusion data. The method further includes transmitting the occlusion map to the host vehicle. The method can also determine an occlusion caused by an elevation peak.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle, system and method of navigating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors for obtaining data with respect to a remote stationary vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to classify the remote stationary vehicle into an object hypothesis based on the data, determine an actionable behavior of the autonomous vehicle based on a probability for the object hypothesis, and navigate the autonomous vehicle with respect to the remote vehicle via the actionable behavior.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to: receive sensor data representing a perceived driving environment, select a reinforcement learning agent from a plurality of reinforcement learning agents based on a challenge score calculated using the sensor data and a desired driving style, and generate, via the selected reinforcement learning agent, a driving action based on the sensor data.

Abstract: A vehicle and a system method of operating the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a monitoring module and a mitigation module operating on a processor. The monitoring module is configured to measure a degradation in an operation parameter of the vehicle, the vehicle operating in a first state based on a first value of a set of adaptive parameters. The mitigation module is configured to determine a threat to the vehicle due to operating the vehicle in the first state with the degradation in the operation parameter and adjust the set of adaptive parameters from the first value to a second value that mitigates the threat to the vehicle, wherein the processor operates the vehicle in a second state based on the second value.

Abstract: A process for sensor sharing for an autonomous lane change is provided. The process includes, within a dynamic controller of a host vehicle, monitoring sensors of the host vehicle, establishing communication between the host vehicle and a confederate vehicle on a same roadway as the host vehicle, monitoring sensors of the confederate vehicle, within the dynamic controller of the host vehicle, utilizing data from the sensors of the host vehicle and data from the sensors of the confederate vehicle to initiate a lane change maneuver for the host vehicle, and executing the lane change maneuver for the host vehicle.

Abstract: A system or method implemented by an autonomous vehicle involves determining a path plan to reach a destination from an origin. The path plan includes two or more path steps indicating tasks to be completed to reach the destination. The method includes, during traversal of the path plan by the autonomous vehicle, evaluating one or more of the two or more path steps of a planning horizon to determine a behavior plan for the planning horizon. The planning horizon is based on a current position of the autonomous vehicle, the behavior plan includes a speed and a trajectory, and the evaluating includes performing a cost analysis using a parallelized tree-based decision scheme at each of two or more simulation intervals within the planning horizon. The evaluating and the determining the behavior plan is repeated at two or more positions of the autonomous vehicle from the origin to the destination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for behavior planning for an autonomous vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving navigation data including a navigation route; converting the navigation route to road segment data including a plurality of road segments; assigning lane attributes to the plurality road segments of the road segment data; computing cost data for each of the road segments; evaluating the cost data of each of the road segments to determine at least one driving behavior; and generating a display signal for displaying the driving behavior to a user of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for executing a lane change for a host vehicle. In various embodiments, one or more sensors obtain sensor data pertaining to target vehicles in proximity to the host vehicle; and a processor at least facilitates: obtaining, using the sensor data, predictions as to future positions and movement of the target vehicle; identifying a plurality of gaps through which the host vehicle may accomplish the lane change, based on the predictions; calculating a cost for each of the plurality of gaps; selecting, a selected gap of the plurality of gaps, having a minimized cost; and executing the lane change for the host vehicle via the selected gap.

Abstract: A process for sensor sharing for an autonomous lane change is provided. The process includes, within a dynamic controller of a host vehicle, monitoring sensors of the host vehicle, establishing communication between the host vehicle and a confederate vehicle on a same roadway as the host vehicle, monitoring sensors of the confederate vehicle, within the dynamic controller of the host vehicle, utilizing data from the sensors of the host vehicle and data from the sensors of the confederate vehicle to initiate a lane change maneuver for the host vehicle, and executing the lane change maneuver for the host vehicle.

Abstract: A system or method implemented by an autonomous vehicle involves determining a path plan to reach a destination from an origin. The path plan includes two or more path steps indicating tasks to be completed to reach the destination. The method includes, during traversal of the path plan by the autonomous vehicle, evaluating one or more of the two or more path steps of a planning horizon to determine a behavior plan for the planning horizon. The planning horizon is based on a current position of the autonomous vehicle, the behavior plan includes a speed and a trajectory, and the evaluating includes performing a cost analysis using a parallelized tree-based decision scheme at each of two or more simulation intervals within the planning horizon. The evaluating and the determining the behavior plan is repeated at two or more positions of the autonomous vehicle from the origin to the destination.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, that a lane change is desired; determining, by the processor, a lane change action based on a reinforcement learning method and a rule-based method, wherein each of the methods evaluates lane data, vehicle data, map data, and actor data; and controlling, by the processor, the vehicle to perform the lane change based on the lane action.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle, system and method of navigating the autonomous vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors for obtaining data with respect to a remote stationary vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to classify the remote stationary vehicle into an object hypothesis based on the data, determine an actionable behavior of the autonomous vehicle based on a probability for the object hypothesis, and navigate the autonomous vehicle with respect to the remote vehicle via the actionable behavior.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for executing a lane change for a host vehicle. In various embodiments, one or more sensors obtain sensor data pertaining to target vehicles in proximity to the host vehicle; and a processor at least facilitates: obtaining, using the sensor data, predictions as to future positions and movement of the target vehicle; identifying a plurality of gaps through which the host vehicle may accomplish the lane change, based on the predictions; calculating a cost for each of the plurality of gaps; selecting, a selected gap of the plurality of gaps, having a minimized cost; and executing the lane change for the host vehicle via the selected gap.

Abstract: Systems and methods to control an autonomous vehicle to travel from an origin to a destination include determining a route between the origin and the destination using a map. A method includes determining an initial path along the route by optimizing a first cost function, the first cost function including a static cost component at a first set of locations along the route, and the static cost component at each location among the first set of locations along the route corresponding to a change in field of view of one or more sensors of the autonomous vehicle resulting from one or more static obstructions at the location that are indicated on the map. The method also includes controlling the autonomous vehicle to begin the travel on the route along the initial path.