Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a steering system, and a computing system that is in communication with the vehicle propulsion system, the brake system, and the steering system. The computing system can receive an indication an account associated with a passenger of the autonomous vehicle for a trip of the autonomous vehicle includes a predefined parent-child link with a second account. The predefined parent-child link indicates the account associated with the passenger is subordinate to the second account and a parent-child relationship exists between the passenger and a person associated with the second account. Responsive to receiving the indication of the parent-child link and the passenger being the child in the parent-child relationship, the computing system can control the autonomous vehicle to enable a linked account feature that would otherwise be disabled.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle receives geographic location data defined via a mobile computing device operated by a user. The geographic location data is indicative of a device position of the mobile computing device. The autonomous vehicle also receives image data generated by the mobile computing device. The image data is indicative of a surrounding position nearby the device position. The surrounding position is selected from an image captured by a camera of the mobile computing device. A requested vehicle position (e.g., a pick-up or drop-off location) is set for a trip of the user in the autonomous vehicle based on the geographic location data and the image data. A route from a current vehicle position of the autonomous vehicle to the requested vehicle position for the trip of the user in the autonomous vehicle is generated. Moreover, the autonomous vehicle can follow the route to the requested vehicle position.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to causing presentation on a user interface of an immediate portion of a navigation route of an autonomous vehicle. A computing system of the autonomous vehicle determines whether an object detected by sensor(s) of the autonomous vehicle proximate to the immediate portion of the navigation route are of a type and relative position defined as one of consequential and inconsequential for a human passenger. In response to determining that an object has both a type and relative position defined as consequential, the computing system causes presentation on the user interface a representation of the object relative to the immediate portion of the navigation route to provide a confidence engendering indication that the autonomous vehicle has detected the object. Otherwise if inconsequential, presentation on the user interface of any representation of the object is not caused by the computing system to avoid creating a confusing presentation.

Abstract: A device for hailing a vehicle includes a location sensor outputting location information indicative of a location of the device. The device further includes a device interface configured to receive an input from a user of the device. Responsive to the input, a transmitter of the device transmits the location information, input information, and identification information for the device to a dispatch server system. The transmitter is further configured to route the location information, the input information, and the identification information for the device to only the dispatch server system. The identification information is used by the dispatch server system to set a predefined location associated with the identification information as a destination for a trip for the user in the vehicle. The predefined location is defined in an account corresponding to the identification information of the device maintained by the dispatch server system prior to receipt of the input.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a steering system, and a computing system. The computing system includes a processor and memory that stores computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to select a route for a passenger of the autonomous vehicle for a trip to a destination. The route for the passenger is selected from a plurality of potential routes. The route for the passenger is selected based on a preference of the passenger and aggregate ride quality feedback from passengers of autonomous vehicles in a fleet at locations along the potential routes to the destination. The processor is further configured to control at least one of the vehicle propulsion system, the braking system, or the steering system to move the autonomous vehicle along the route as selected for the trip to the destination.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to causing presentation on a user interface of an immediate portion of a navigation route of an autonomous vehicle. A computing system of the autonomous vehicle determines whether an object detected by sensor(s) of the autonomous vehicle proximate to the immediate portion of the navigation route are of a type and relative position defined as one of consequential and inconsequential for a human passenger. In response to determining that an object has both a type and relative position defined as consequential, the computing system causes presentation on the user interface a representation of the object relative to the immediate portion of the navigation route to provide a confidence engendering indication that the autonomous vehicle has detected the object. Otherwise if inconsequential, presentation on the user interface of any representation of the object is not caused by the computing system to avoid creating a confusing presentation.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a user interface and a computing system that is in communication with the user interface. The computing system may have at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to output information through the user interface to inform the passenger of an action that the passenger needs to enact prior to the autonomous vehicle beginning to move and determine, based upon an occurrence of the action that the passenger needs to enact, whether the autonomous vehicle is permitted to begin moving.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology provide solutions for performing vehicle routing based on road quality data. In some approaches, a process of the technology can include steps for collecting road quality data using at least one vehicle-mounted sensor, identifying two or more routes to a destination location, receiving historical road quality data associated with the two or more routes to the destination location, and calculating a damage projection associated with each of the two or more routes to the destination location, wherein the damage projection is based on the historical road quality data for at least one of the two or more routes to the destination location.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a steering system, and a computing system. The computing system includes a processor and memory that stores computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to select a route for a passenger of the autonomous vehicle for a trip to a destination. The route for the passenger is selected from a plurality of potential routes. The route for the passenger is selected based on a preference of the passenger and aggregate ride quality feedback from passengers of autonomous vehicles in a fleet at locations along the potential routes to the destination. The processor is further configured to control at least one of the vehicle propulsion system, the braking system, or the steering system to move the autonomous vehicle along the route as selected for the trip to the destination.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to causing presentation on a user interface of an immediate portion of a navigation route of an autonomous vehicle. A computing system of the autonomous vehicle determines whether an object detected by sensor(s) of the autonomous vehicle proximate to the immediate portion of the navigation route are of a type and relative position defined as one of consequential and inconsequential for a human passenger. In response to determining that an object has both a type and relative position defined as consequential, the computing system causes presentation on the user interface a representation of the object relative to the immediate portion of the navigation route to provide a confidence engendering indication that the autonomous vehicle has detected the object. Otherwise if inconsequential, presentation on the user interface of any representation of the object is not caused by the computing system to avoid creating a confusing presentation.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a user interface and a computing system that is in communication with the user interface. The computing system may have at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to output information through the user interface to inform the passenger of an action that the passenger needs to enact prior to the autonomous vehicle beginning to move and determine, based upon an occurrence of the action that the passenger needs to enact, whether the autonomous vehicle is permitted to begin moving.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that provides location information through directional sound is described herein. The mobile computing device includes a location detection system that provides location signals corresponding to a user location and a destination location, such as a vehicle location or a vertex of a predefined travel route, to a spatial audio generation system to define a spatial audio signal based on a direction from the user location to the destination location. The spatial audio signal is provided to an audio device of the mobile computing device that outputs the spatial audio signal as directional sound having a locus at the destination location.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to causing presentation on a user interface of an immediate portion of a navigation route of an autonomous vehicle. A computing system of the autonomous vehicle determines whether an object detected by sensor(s) of the autonomous vehicle proximate to the immediate portion of the navigation route are of a type and relative position defined as one of consequential and inconsequential for a human passenger. In response to determining that an object has both a type and relative position defined as consequential, the computing system causes presentation on the user interface a representation of the object relative to the immediate portion of the navigation route to provide a confidence engendering indication that the autonomous vehicle has detected the object. Otherwise if inconsequential, presentation on the user interface of any representation of the object is not caused by the computing system to avoid creating a confusing presentation.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a user interface and a computing system that is in communication with the user interface. The computing system may have at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the at least one processor to output information through the user interface to inform the passenger of an action that the passenger needs to enact prior to the autonomous vehicle beginning to move and determine, based upon an occurrence of the action that the passenger needs to enact, whether the autonomous vehicle is permitted to begin moving.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having observational sensors and a computing system. The computing system may have a processor and memory having computer-executable instructions that may cause the processor to determine, based upon a profile of a user, an average amount of time it takes the user to enter or exit the autonomous vehicle. The processor may then cause the observational sensors to detect and observe obstacles around the locations. The processor may also determined, based upon detected objects around the autonomous vehicle and the average amount of time it takes the user to enter or exit the autonomous vehicle, a location to stop to allow the user to enter or exit the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Abstract: A method, autonomous system controller, and computer program product generate a first route for an autonomous vehicle to transport a first person from a first location to a destination. In response to determining that a second person satisfies trigger criteria comprising: (i) being at a second location that is within a proximity threshold to the first route; (ii) being associated with the first person; and (iii) being associated with the destination, an affordance is caused to be presented via respective user interface devices to at least one of the first and second persons that proposes that the autonomous vehicle transport both the first and second persons to the destination. In response to receiving acceptance, a second route is generated for the autonomous vehicle that comprises picking up the first person at the first location, picking up the second person at the second location, and transporting both persons to the destination.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle including a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a steering system, and a computing system. The computing system includes a processor and memory that stores computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to select a route for a passenger of the autonomous vehicle for a trip to a destination. The route for the passenger is selected from a plurality of potential routes. The route for the passenger is selected based on a preference of the passenger and aggregate ride quality feedback from passengers of autonomous vehicles in a fleet at locations along the potential routes to the destination. The processor is further configured to control at least one of the vehicle propulsion system, the braking system, or the steering system to move the autonomous vehicle along the route as selected for the trip to the destination.