Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for remotely detecting a status associated with an autonomous vehicle and generating control actions in response to such detections. In one example, a computing system can access a third-party communication associated with an autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a predetermined identifier associated with the autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a status associated with the autonomous vehicle, and transmit one or more control messages to the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the predetermined identifier and the status associated with the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating data indicative of a friction associated with a driving surface, and for using the friction data in association with one or more vehicles. In one example, a computing system can detect a stop associated with a vehicle and initiate a steering action of the vehicle during the stop. The steering action is associated with movement of at least one tire of the vehicle relative to a driving surface. The computing system can obtain operational data associated with the steering action during the stop of the vehicle. The computing system can determine a friction associated with the driving surface based at least in part on the operational data associated with the steering action. The computing system can generate data indicative of the friction associated with the driving surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, from an autonomy system, data indicative of a planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle through a surrounding environment. The method includes determining a region of interest in the surrounding environment based at least in part on the planned trajectory. The method includes controlling one or more first sensors to obtain data indicative of the region of interest. The method includes identifying one or more objects in the region of interest, based at least in part on the data obtained by the one or more first sensors. The method includes controlling the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more objects identified in the region of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving data indicative of an operating mode of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes. The method includes determining one or more response characteristics of the vehicle based at least in part on the operating mode of the vehicle, each response characteristic indicating how the vehicle responds to a potential collision. The method includes controlling the vehicle based at least in part on the one or more response characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, from an autonomy system, data indicative of a planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle through a surrounding environment. The method includes determining a region of interest in the surrounding environment based at least in part on the planned trajectory. The method includes controlling one or more first sensors to obtain data indicative of the region of interest. The method includes identifying one or more objects in the region of interest, based at least in part on the data obtained by the one or more first sensors. The method includes controlling the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more objects identified in the region of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to controlling state transitions in an autonomous vehicle. In particular, a computing system can initiate the autonomous vehicle into a no-authorization state upon startup. The computing system can receive an authorization request. The computing system determines whether the authorization request includes a request to enter the first or second mode of operations, wherein the first mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operated without a human operator and the second mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operable by a human operator. The computing system can transition the autonomous vehicle from the no-authorization state into a standby state in response to determining the authorization request includes a request to enter the first mode of operations or into a manual-controlled state in response to determining the authorization request is a request to enter the second mode of operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving data indicative of an operating mode of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes. The method includes determining one or more response characteristics of the vehicle based at least in part on the operating mode of the vehicle, each response characteristic indicating how the vehicle responds to a potential collision. The method includes controlling the vehicle based at least in part on the one or more response characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for remotely detecting a status associated with an autonomous vehicle and generating control actions in response to such detections. In one example, a computing system can access a third-party communication associated with an autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a predetermined identifier associated with the autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a status associated with the autonomous vehicle, and transmit one or more control messages to the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the predetermined identifier and the status associated with the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for remotely detecting a status associated with an autonomous vehicle and generating control actions in response to such detections. In one example, a computing system can access a third-party communication associated with an autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a predetermined identifier associated with the autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the third-party communication, a status associated with the autonomous vehicle, and transmit one or more control messages to the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the predetermined identifier and the status associated with the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to controlling state transitions in an autonomous vehicle. In particular, a computing system can initiate the autonomous vehicle into a no-authorization state upon startup. The computing system can receive an authorization request. The computing system determines whether the authorization request includes a request to enter the first or second mode of operations, wherein the first mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operated without a human operator and the second mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operable by a human operator. The computing system can transition the autonomous vehicle from the no-authorization state into a standby state in response to determining the authorization request includes a request to enter the first mode of operations or into a manual-controlled state in response to determining the authorization request is a request to enter the second mode of operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating data indicative of a friction associated with a driving surface, and for using the friction data in association with one or more vehicles. In one example, a computing system can detect a stop associated with a vehicle and initiate a steering action of the vehicle during the stop. The steering action is associated with movement of at least one tire of the vehicle relative to a driving surface. The computing system can obtain operational data associated with the steering action during the stop of the vehicle. The computing system can determine a friction associated with the driving surface based at least in part on the operational data associated with the steering action. The computing system can generate data indicative of the friction associated with the driving surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to controlling state transitions in an autonomous vehicle. In particular, a computing system can initiate the autonomous vehicle into a no-authorization state upon startup. The computing system can receive an authorization request. The computing system determines whether the authorization request includes a request to enter the first or second mode of operations, wherein the first mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operated without a human operator and the second mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operable by a human operator. The computing system can transition the autonomous vehicle from the no-authorization state into a standby state in response to determining the authorization request includes a request to enter the first mode of operations or into a manual-controlled state in response to determining the authorization request is a request to enter the second mode of operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating data indicative of a friction associated with a driving surface, and for using the friction data in association with one or more vehicles. In one example, a computing system can detect a stop associated with a vehicle and initiate a steering action of the vehicle during the stop. The steering action is associated with movement of at least one tire of the vehicle relative to a driving surface. The computing system can obtain operational data associated with the steering action during the stop of the vehicle. The computing system can determine a friction associated with the driving surface based at least in part on the operational data associated with the steering action. The computing system can generate data indicative of the friction associated with the driving surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating data indicative of a friction associated with a driving surface, and for using friction data as part of controlling autonomous vehicle operations. In one example, a computing system can detect an event including at least one of an acceleration, a deceleration, or a stop associated with an autonomous vehicle and obtain, in response to detecting the event, operational data associated with the autonomous vehicle during the event. The computing system can determine, based at least in part on the operational data, data indicative of a friction associated with a surface upon which the autonomous vehicle is traveling during the event. The computing system can control the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data indicative of the friction associated with the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user control of an autonomous vehicle to enable the user to assist the autonomous vehicle. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes identifying, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, an occurrence of an event associated with an autonomous vehicle. The event can hinder an ability of the autonomous vehicle to operate in an autonomous operating mode. In response to the occurrence of the event associated with the autonomous vehicle, the method includes determining, by the computing system, a user to operate the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on a profile associated with the user. The method includes providing, by the computing system, one or more control signals to cause the autonomous vehicle to enter into an operating mode that allows the user to operate the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disabling autonomous vehicle input devices are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes identifying an operating mode of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining one or more vehicle input devices to be disabled based at least in part on the operating mode of the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle input devices are located onboard the autonomous vehicle. The method includes disabling the one or more vehicle input devices based at least in part on the identified operating mode of the autonomous vehicle such that an input by a user with respect to the one or more vehicle input devices does not affect an operation of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, from an autonomy system, data indicative of a planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle through a surrounding environment. The method includes determining a region of interest in the surrounding environment based at least in part on the planned trajectory. The method includes controlling one or more first sensors to obtain data indicative of the region of interest. The method includes identifying one or more objects in the region of interest, based at least in part on the data obtained by the one or more first sensors. The method includes controlling the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more objects identified in the region of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to controlling state transitions in an autonomous vehicle. In particular, a computing system can initiate the autonomous vehicle into a no-authorization state upon startup. The computing system can receive an authorization request. The computing system determines whether the authorization request includes a request to enter the first or second mode of operations, wherein the first mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operated without a human operator and the second mode of operations is associated with the autonomous vehicle being operable by a human operator. The computing system can transition the autonomous vehicle from the no-authorization state into a standby state in response to determining the authorization request includes a request to enter the first mode of operations or into a manual-controlled state in response to determining the authorization request is a request to enter the second mode of operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, from an autonomy system, data indicative of a planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle through a surrounding environment. The method includes determining a region of interest in the surrounding environment based at least in part on the planned trajectory. The method includes controlling one or more first sensors to obtain data indicative of the region of interest. The method includes identifying one or more objects in the region of interest, based at least in part on the data obtained by the one or more first sensors. The method includes controlling the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more objects identified in the region of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for controlling autonomous vehicles. In one example implementation, a method includes providing for display to a passenger of an autonomous vehicle, by a computing system having one or more computing devices, a user interface on a display device. The user interface includes at least one interface element associated with directing movement of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes receiving, by the computing system, a user interaction for a time period directed to the interface element. During the time period, the method includes providing, by the computing system, one or more signals indicative of the user interaction to control the autonomous vehicle to autonomously travel along a predetermined path.