Abstract: An apparatus and method for communicating with third parties external to autonomous vehicles are disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus may be configured to receive a signal from a first user interface mounted to an exterior of an autonomous vehicle, establish a two way communication between the first user interface and a remote system, authenticate a third party, and in response to the third party being authenticated, establish a connection with a second user interface.

Abstract: A control subsystem, method, computer program product and autonomous vehicle are provided to respond to an unknown object on a carriageway along which an autonomous vehicle is to travel. In this regard, sensor data is received from at least one vehicle sensor. The sensor data includes location coordinates of the object on the carriageway. The sensor data is evaluated to determine whether the object is known or unknown. If unknown, the size of the object is determined and a motion plan is defined for the autonomous vehicle depending upon the size of the object and the location coordinates of the object relative to the autonomous vehicle. The motion plan that is defined is dependent upon the size of the object with different motion plans being defined for differently sized objects. Driving instructions for the autonomous vehicle are then updated based upon the motion plan that is defined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing environmental conditions for an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes a perception sensor configured to generate perception data indicative of a condition of the environment, a network communication transceiver configured to communicate with an oversight system and an external weather condition source, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a processor. The processor is configured to: receive the perception data from the at least one perception sensor, receive an indication of current weather conditions from the external weather condition source, determine a current environmental condition severity level from a plurality of severity levels based on the perception data and the indication of current weather conditions, modify one or more driving parameters that that govern a range of actions that can be autonomously executed by the autonomous vehicle, and navigate the autonomous vehicle based on the modified driving parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for situational behavior of an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes at least one perception sensor configured to generate perception data indicative of at least one other vehicle on a roadway, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine that the other vehicle is violating one or more rules of the roadway based on the perception data, tag the other vehicle as a non-compliant driver, and modify control of the autonomous vehicle in response to tagging the other vehicle as a non-compliant driver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an autonomous vehicle are provided. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes a perception sensor and a processor configured to: receive detected roadway conditions data including roadway grade data from the perception sensor, retrieve mapped data having grade data, and determine that the roadway has a grade based on the detected roadway grade data and the retrieved roadway grade data. The processor can be further configured to, in response to determining that the roadway has a grade, determine that the grade of the roadway is greater than or equal to a predetermined high grade value and less than a predetermined grade limit, and in response to determining that the grade of the roadway is greater than or equal to the predetermined high grade value and less than the predetermined grade limit, operate the autonomous vehicle to change lane to a right-most lane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting physical infrastructure related to navigation of an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. In one aspect, the autonomous vehicle includes a perception sensor configured to generate perception data, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a minimal risk condition (MRC) maneuver for the autonomous vehicle to execute, identify a safe zone in which the autonomous vehicle is able to execute the MRC maneuver by coming to a stop based on the perception data, identify one or more exclusion zones within the safe zone based on the perception data, and control the autonomous vehicle to execute the MRC maneuver including stopping outside of the exclusion zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for situational behavior of an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes at least one perception sensor configured to generate perception data indicative of at least one other vehicle on a roadway, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine that the other vehicle is violating one or more rules of the roadway based on the perception data, tag the other vehicle as a non-compliant driver, and modify control of the autonomous vehicle in response to tagging the other vehicle as a non-compliant driver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing environmental conditions for an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes a perception sensor configured to generate perception data indicative of a condition of the environment, a network communication transceiver configured to communicate with an oversight system and an external weather condition source, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a processor. The processor is configured to: receive the perception data from the at least one perception sensor, receive an indication of current weather conditions from the external weather condition source, determine a current environmental condition severity level from a plurality of severity levels based on the perception data and the indication of current weather conditions, modify one or more driving parameters that that govern a range of actions that can be autonomously executed by the autonomous vehicle, and navigate the autonomous vehicle based on the modified driving parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for general driving behavior of an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes a trailer, at least one perception sensor, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a processor. The processor is configured to estimate a grade of the roadway based on the perception data, provide a first control input to the autonomous vehicle based on the grade of the roadway, determine a response of the autonomous vehicle to the first control input based on the perception data, estimate a trailer load of the trailer based on the response of the autonomous vehicle to the first control input, and provide a second control input to the autonomous vehicle based on the grade of the roadway and the trailer load.

Abstract: A high precision digital map is pre-developed and stored in a memory of an in-vehicle control computer on an autonomous vehicle. The digital map is updated by the in-vehicle control computer with detected roadway data that is a fusion of roadway perception data from at least one perception sensor on the autonomous vehicle and real time GPS signal from at least one GPS receiving devices on the autonomous vehicle. The updated digital map is transferred to a remote oversight system via a network communication subsystem, and the oversight system distributes the updated digital map to other autonomous vehicles connected over the network communication subsystem.

Abstract: An example method includes detecting, via sensor data collected from sensors located on the AV, an upcoming object located on a roadway. The method further includes determining, from the sensor data, a relative distance and a relative direction of the upcoming object with respect to the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes mapping the upcoming object to an absolute location with respect to the roadway based on map data that describes upcoming topology of the roadway and a location of the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes associating the upcoming object with a lane of the roadway based on the absolute location mapped to the upcoming object and based on lane geometry data for the roadway. The method further includes operating the autonomous vehicle based on a relationship between the lane associated with the upcoming object and a current lane in which the autonomous vehicle is located.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to perform safe driving operations. An example method includes detecting that a motorcycle is operating on a roadway on which the autonomous vehicle is located. The method further includes classifying a behavior state of the motorcycle based on a location of the motorcycle relative to a split zone that extends between and into two adjacent lanes of the roadway. The behavior state indicates whether the motorcycle is lane splitting. The method further includes determining, based on the behavior state of the motorcycle, a lane permission parameter that controls whether a given trajectory for the autonomous vehicle can extend into one of the two adjacent lanes. The method further includes causing the autonomous vehicle to operate in accordance with a trajectory that satisfies the lane permission parameter based on transmitting instructions related to the trajectory to subsystems of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statutes for performing safe driving operation. An example method includes detecting that a group of motorcycles is operating on a roadway on which the AV is located. The group of motorcycles are each located within a pre-determined distance away from one another. The method further includes determining an aggregate footprint area that surrounds respective locations of the group of motorcycles. The method further includes causing navigation of the autonomous vehicle that avoids penetration of the aggregate footprint area based on transmitting navigation instructions to one or more subsystems of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statutes for performing safe driving operation. Example embodiments relate to an autonomous vehicle having a trailer coupled to a rear thereof. An example method includes continuously predicting a trailer trajectory that is distinct from a planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes determining that the predicted trailer trajectory is within a minimum avoidance distance away from a stationary vehicle located on a roadway on which the autonomous vehicle is located. The method further includes modifying the planned trajectory of the autonomous vehicle such that the predicted trailer trajectory satisfies the minimum avoidance distance. The method further includes causing the autonomous vehicle to navigate along the modified trajectory based on transmitting instructions to one or more subsystems of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A control device associated with an autonomous vehicle detects that an emergency personnel is altering traffic on a road using an emergency-related hand signal to divert the traffic from a road anomaly, such as a road accident. The control device determines an interpretation of the emergency-related hand signal. The control device determines a proposed trajectory for the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the emergency-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may navigate the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the emergency-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may transmit the proposed trajectory to an oversight server for confirmation. In certain embodiments, the oversight may confirm or override the proposed trajectory.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes audio sensors configured to detect audio in an environment around the autonomous vehicle and to generate audio signals based on the detected audio. A processor in the autonomous vehicle receives the audio signals and compares a time domain or frequency domain representation of the audio signals to a corresponding representation of a known emergency vehicle siren. The comparison causes the processor to output a first determination indicating whether the audio signals are indicative of an emergency vehicle siren. The processor also applies a trained neural network to the audio signals that causes the processor to output a second determination indicating whether the audio signals are indicative of the emergency vehicle siren. If the first determination or the second determination indicates presence of an emergency vehicle siren in the environment around the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle is caused to perform an action.

Abstract: A control device associated with an autonomous vehicle detects that a construction worker is altering traffic on a road using a construction zone-related hand signal to divert the traffic from a construction site. The control device determines an interpretation of the construction zone-related hand signal. The control device determines a proposed trajectory for the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the construction zone-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may navigate the autonomous vehicle according to the interpretation of the construction zone-related hand signal. In certain embodiments, the control device may transmit the proposed trajectory to an oversight server for confirmation. In certain embodiments, the oversight may confirm or override the proposed trajectory.

Abstract: A control device associated with an autonomous vehicle detects that a person is altering traffic on a road using a hand signal. The control device determines an interpretation of the hand signal. The control device determines a proposed trajectory according to the interpretation of the hand signal. The control device transmits the proposed trajectory to an oversight server. The oversight server determines whether the hand signal is in use to alter the traffic. The oversight server also determines whether the proposed trajectory causes the autonomous vehicle to go out of a pre-mapped area where the autonomous vehicle is able to autonomously travel. In response to determining that the hand signal is in use and that the proposed trajectory does not cause the autonomous vehicle to go out of the pre-mapped area, the oversight server transmits an instruction that indicates to perform the proposed trajectory to the control device.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example system for an AV includes a communications gateway device. The communications gateway device includes a plurality of modules each configured for different communication mediums or applications. In particular, the plurality of modules includes a first module for communicating with a remote computer. Via the first module, vehicle operational data is reported to the remote computer, and instructional data is received from the remote computer. The modules further include a second module for communicating with devices located within a vicinity external to the vehicle, and a third module configured to communicate with subsystems located within the vehicle. The example AV system includes a second communications gateway device that is configured to be redundant.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. Example embodiments disclosed herein provide enhanced high-precision operation of an AV in low-speed environments, such as a toll booth facility or heavy traffic. One example method disclosed herein includes a control computer identifying a starting point of the toll booth facility on the roadway and a plurality of toll lanes associated with the toll booth facility; selecting a particular toll lane; determining a trajectory for the AV that extends through the particular toll lane; and in response to the autonomous vehicle arriving at the starting point for the toll booth facility, transmitting, over a subsystem interface to one or more drive subsystems of the AV, instructions configured to cause the drive subsystems to operate together to cause the AV to travel according to the trajectory.