Abstract: One or more outputs from a planning module of an ADV are received. Data of a driving environment of the ADV is received. A performance of the planning module is evaluated by determining a score of the performance of the planning module based on the data of the driving environment and the one or more outputs from the planning module. Whether the one or more outputs from the planning module violates at least one of a set of safety rules is determined. The score is determined being larger than a predetermined threshold in response to determining that the one or more outputs from the planning module violate at least one of the set of safety rules. Otherwise, the score is determined based on a machine learning model. The planning module is modified by tuning a set of parameters of the planning module based on the score.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems, methods, and media for evaluating an open space planner in an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary method includes receiving, at a profiling application, a record file recorded by the ADV while driving in an open space using the open space planner, and a configuration file specifying parameters of the ADV; extracting planning messages and prediction messages from the record file, each extracted message being associated with the open space planner. The method further includes generating features from the planning message and the prediction messages in view of the specified parameters of the ADV; and calculating statistical metrics from the features. The statistical metrics are then provided to an automatic tuning framework for tuning the open space planner.

Abstract: In one embodiment, when an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) is parked, the ADV can determine, based on criteria, whether to operate in an open-space mode or an on-lane mode. The criteria can include whether the ADV is within a threshold distance and threshold heading relative to a vehicle lane. If the criteria are not satisfied, then the ADV can enter the open-space mode. While in the open-space mode, the ADV can maneuver it is within the threshold distance and the threshold heading relative to the vehicle lane. In response to the criteria being satisfied, the ADV can enter and operate in the on-lane mode for the ADV to resume along the vehicle lane.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an exemplary method includes the operations of receiving, at a profiling application, a record file recorded by the ADV for a driving scenario in an area, and a high definition map matching the area; extracting planning messages and perception messages from the record file; and aligning the planning message and the perception messages based on their timestamps. The method further includes calculating an individual performance score for each planning cycle of the ADV for the driving scenario based on the planning messages; calculating a weight for each planning cycle based on the perception messages and the high definition map; and then calculating a weighted score for the driving scenario based on individual performance scores and their corresponding weights.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plurality of obstacles is sensed in an environment of an automated driving vehicle (ADV). One or more representations are formed to represent corresponding groupings of the plurality of obstacles. A vehicle route is determined in view of the one or more representations, rather than each and every one of the obstacles individually.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a Prunus persica polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein 1 (PpPGIP1) gene, and a cloning method and use thereof. The Prunus persica polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein 1 PpPGIP1 gene has a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, and a protein encoded by the Prunus persica polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein 1 (PpPGIP1) gene has an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. The cloning method includes the following steps: (1) extracting total RNA from a peach, and subjecting the total RNA to reverse transcription to obtain cDNA, which serves as a template; (2) designing primers based on the PpPGIP1 gene sequence; and (3) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification: conducting PCR amplification to obtain a PpPGIP1 gene amplification product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, static-state curvature error compensation control logic for autonomous driving vehicles (ADV) receives planning and control data associated with the ADV, including a planned steering angle and a planned speed. A steering command is generated based on a current steering angle and the planned steering angle of the ADV. A throttle command is generated based on the planned speed in view of a current speed of the ADV. A curvature error is calculated based on a difference between the current steering angle and the planned steering angle. The steering command is issued to the ADV while withholding the throttle command, in response to determining that the curvature error is greater than a predetermined curvature threshold, such that the steering angle of the ADV is adjusted in view of the planned steering angle without acceleration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for collecting driving data from simulated autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) driving sessions and real-world ADV driving sessions. The driving data is processed to exclude manual (human) driving data and to exclude data corresponding to the ADV being stationary (not driving). Data can further be filtered based on driving direction: forward or reverse driving. Driving data records are time stamped. The driving data can be aligned according to the timestamp, then a standardized set of metrics is generated from the collected, filtered, and time-aligned data. The standardized set of metrics are used to grade the performance the control system of the ADV, and to generate an updated ADV controller, based on the standardized set of metrics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing second order dynamics delays in a control subsystem (e.g. throttle, braking, or steering) in an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV). A control input is received from an ADV perception and planning system. The control input is translated in a control command to a control subsystem of the ADV. A reference actuation output is obtained from a storage of the ADV. The reference actuation output is a smoothed output that accounts for second order actuation dynamic delays attributable to the control subsystem actuator. Based on a difference between the control input and the reference actuation output, adaptive gains are determined and applied to the input control signal to reduce error between the control output and the reference actuation output.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system generates a plurality of driving scenarios to train a reinforcement learning (RL) agent and replays each of the driving scenarios to train the RL agent by: applying a RL algorithm to an initial state of a driving scenario to determine a number of control actions from a number of discretized control/action options for the ADV to advance to a number of trajectory states which are based on a number of discretized trajectory state options, determining a reward prediction by the RL algorithm for each of the controls/actions, determining a judgment score for the trajectory states, and updating the RL agent based on the judgment score.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of autonomously parking an autonomous driving vehicle, includes generating environment descriptor data describing a driving environment surrounding the autonomous driving vehicle (ADV), including identifying a parking space and one or more obstacles within a predetermined proximity of the ADV, generating a parking trajectory of the ADV based on the environment descriptor data to autonomously park the ADV into the parking space, including optimizing the parking trajectory in view of the one or more obstacles, segmenting the parking trajectory into one or more trajectory segments based on a vehicle state of the ADV, and controlling the ADV according to the one or more trajectory segments of the parking trajectory to autonomously park the ADV into the parking space without collision with the one or more obstacles.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system uses an actor-critic reinforcement learning model to generate a trajectory for an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) in an open space. The system perceives an environment surrounding an ADV. The system applies a RL algorithm to an initial state of a planning trajectory based on the perceived environment to determine a plurality of controls for the ADV to advance to a plurality of trajectory states based on map and vehicle control information for the ADV. The system determines a reward prediction by the RL algorithm for each of the plurality of controls in view of a target destination state. The system generates a first trajectory from the trajectory states by maximizing the reward predictions to control the ADV autonomously according to the first trajectory.

Abstract: In one embodiment, simulation of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes capturing first data that includes a control command output by an autonomous vehicle controller of the ADV, and capturing second data that includes the control command being implemented at a control unit of the ADV. The control command, for example, a steering command, a braking command, or a throttle command, is implemented by the ADV to affect movement of the ADV. A latency model is determined based on comparing the first data with the second data, where the latency model defines time delay and/or amplitude difference between the first data and the second data. The latency model is applied in a virtual driving environment.

Abstract: An autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) receives instructions for a human test driver to drive the ADV in manual mode and to collect a specified amount of driving data for one or more specified driving categories. As the user drivers the ADV in manual mode, driving data corresponding to the one or more driving categories is logged. A user interface of the ADV displays the one or more driving categories that the human driver is instructed collect data upon, and a progress indicator for each of these categories as the human driving progresses. The driving data is uploaded to a server for machine learning. If the server machine learning achieves a threshold grading amount of the uploaded data to variables of a dynamic self-driving model, then the server generates an ADV self-driving model, and distributes the model to one or more ADVs that are navigated in the self-driving mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing second order dynamics delays in a control subsystem (e.g. throttle, braking, or steering) in an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) and increasing control system bandwidth by accounting for time-latency in a control subsystem actuation system. A control input is received from an ADV's autonomous driving system. The control input is translated into a control command of the control subsystem of the ADV. A reference actuation output and a predicted actuation output are generated corresponding to a by-wire (“real”) actuation action for the control subsystem. A control error is determined between the reference actuation action and the by-wire actuation action. A predicted control error is determined between the predicted actuation action and the between the by-wire actuation action. Adaptive gains are determined and applied to the by-wire actuation action to generate a second by-wire actuation action.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an open space model is generated for a system to plan trajectories for an ADV in an open space. The system perceives an environment surrounding an ADV including one or more obstacles. The system determines a target function for the open space model based on constraints for the one or more obstacles and map information. The system iteratively, performs a first quadratic programming (QP) optimization on the target function based on a first trajectory while fixing a first set of variables, and performs a second QP optimization on the target function based on a result of the first QP optimization while fixing a second set of variables. The system generates a second trajectory based on results of the first and the second QP optimizations to control the ADV autonomously according to the second trajectory.

Abstract: Disclosed are performance metrics for evaluating the accuracy of a dynamic model in predicting the trajectory of ADV when simulating the behavior of the ADV under the control commands. The performance metrics may indicate the degree of similarity between the predicted trajectory of the dynamic model and the actual trajectory of the vehicle when applied with identical control commands. The performance metrics measure deviations of the predicted trajectory of the dynamic model from the actual trajectory based on the ground truths. The performance metrics may include cumulative or mean absolute trajectory error, end-pose difference (ED), two-sigma defect rate (?2?), the Hausdirff Distance (HAU), the longest common sub-sequence error (LCSS), or dynamic time warping (DTW). The two-sigma defect rate represents the ratio of the number of points with true location error falling out of the 2? range of the predicted location error over the total number of points in the trajectory.

Abstract: Generating control effort to control an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes determining a direction (forward or reverse) in which the ADV is driving and selecting a driving model and a predictive model based upon the direction. In a forward direction, the driving model is a dynamic model, such as a “bicycle model,” and the predictive model is a look-ahead model. In a reverse direction, the driving model is a hybrid dynamic and kinematic model and the predictive model is a look-back model. Current and predicted lateral error and heading error are determined using the driving model and predictive model, respectively. A linear quadratic regulator (LQR) uses the current and predicted lateral error and heading errors to determine a first control effort An augmented control logic determines a second, additional, control effort, to determine a final control effort that is output to a control module to drive the ADV.