Abstract: Disclosed is a camera mounting apparatus for a vehicle that attaches the camera to the vehicle, isolates the camera from vibration at the mounting points, and accommodates thermal expansion and contraction of the vehicle and the mounting structure. The apparatus includes a camera mounting beam coupled to the camera, and one or more elastomeric vibration isolators coupled to an attachment device and coupled to the camera mounting beam. The apparatus also includes a spherical bearing coupled to the attachment device, wherein the spherical bearing is configured to accommodate misalignment of the attachment device, and one or more spring washers to generate a force holding the one or more elastomeric vibration isolators and spherical bearing in positions.

Abstract: The angle of a trailer with respect to a tow vehicle is an important parameter to the stability of the vehicle and trailer. A tow vehicle pulling a trailer in a straight line is generally more stable than when the vehicle is turning. While turning, the angle between the tow vehicle and the trailer is not a straight line but is another angle depending on how sharply the tow vehicle is turning. To safely operate a vehicle towing a trailer, for a given steering input and speed, there is a maximum angle between the tow vehicle and trailer whereby exceeding the angle causes instability and may cause the trailer or tow vehicle to roll over or jackknife. Accordingly, the angle between the trailer and tow vehicle must be determined to ensure the vehicle and trailer will continue to be in control.

Abstract: Described are devices, systems and methods for managing power generation, storage and/or distribution in autonomous vehicles. In some aspects, a system for power management in an autonomous vehicle having a main power source and one or more alternators includes a vehicle control unit, a secondary power source, and a power management unit. In some embodiments, the power management unit is configured on an autonomous vehicle having a single alternator-charging system for battery charging and battery power control with different battery packs. In some embodiments, the power management unit is configured on an autonomous vehicle having multiple alternator-charging systems for battery charging and battery power control for different battery packs.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for a LiDAR mirror assembly mounted on a vehicle, such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. For example, a LiDAR mirror assembly may include a base plate mounted on a hood of a vehicle, where the base plate is coupled to one end of a support arm. The opposite end of the support arm is attached to a housing. The housing includes a top housing enclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform, where a sensor and a mirror is coupled to the housing, and where the sensor is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top housing enclosure. The opening for the sensor is situated near an end of the housing furthest away from the base plate.

Abstract: An integrated housing assembly mountable on a roof of a vehicle, such as a semi-trailer truck. The integrated housing assembly includes a main enclosure that includes four sides, a top panel, and a bottom panel. One of the four sides is a front panel that is inclined towards the ground. The main enclosure includes one or more cavities. A front panel of the integrated housing assembly includes one or more openings to allow cameras or sensors to be placed within the one or more cavities and behind the one or more opening. The cameras or sensors cameras can be clamped at a downward angle within multiple lock apparatus. The angled front panel and the inclined cameras or sensors within the lock apparatus allow the cameras or sensors to obtain images or sensor data from one or more regions of interest at some distance from the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing temperature in an autonomous vehicle. An exemplary method comprises performing autonomous driving operations that operate the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous mode, receiving one or more messages from a temperature sensor associated with an electrical device located on or in the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle is operated in the autonomous mode, determining a cooling technique to reduce the temperature of electrical device, and performing the cooling technique.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for a LiDAR mirror assembly mounted on a vehicle, such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. For example, a LiDAR mirror assembly may include a base plate mounted on a hood of a vehicle, where the base plate is coupled to one end of a support arm. The opposite end of the support arm is attached to a housing. The housing includes a top housing enclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform, where a sensor and a mirror is coupled to the housing, and where the sensor is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top housing enclosure. The opening for the sensor is situated near an end of the housing furthest away from the base plate.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for using a rotating camera for vehicular operation. One example of a method for improving driving includes determining, by a processor in the vehicle, that a trigger has activated, orienting, based on the determining, a single rotating camera towards a direction of interest, and activating a recording functionality of the single rotating camera, where the vehicle comprises the single rotating camera and one or more fixed cameras, and where the single rotating camera provides a redundant functionality for, and consumes less power than, the one or more fixed cameras.

Abstract: Techniques are described for compensating for movements of sensors. A method includes receiving two sets of sensor data from two sets of sensors, where a first set of sensors are located on a roof of a cab of a semi-trailer truck and a second set of sensor data are located on a hood of the semi-trailer truck. The method also receives from a height sensor a measured value indicative of a height of the rear of a rear portion of the cab of the semi-trailer truck relative to a chassis of the semi-trailer truck, determines two correction values, one for each of the two sets of sensor data, and compensates for the movement of the two sets of sensors by generating two sets of compensated sensor data. The two sets of compensated sensor data are generated by adjusting the two sets of sensor data based on the two correction values.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for using a rotating camera for vehicular operation. One example of a method for improving driving includes determining, by a processor in the vehicle, that a trigger has activated, orienting, based on the determining, a single rotating camera towards a direction of interest, and activating a recording functionality of the single rotating camera, where the vehicle comprises the single rotating camera and one or more fixed cameras, and where the single rotating camera provides a redundant functionality for, and consumes less power than, the one or more fixed cameras.

Abstract: Techniques are described for compensating for movements of sensors. A method includes receiving two sets of sensor data from two sets of sensors, where a first set of sensors are located on a roof of a cab of a semi-trailer truck and a second set of sensor data are located on a hood of the semi-trailer truck. The method also receives from a height sensor a measured value indicative of a height of the rear of a rear portion of the cab of the semi-trailer truck relative to a chassis of the semi-trailer truck, determines two correction values, one for each of the two sets of sensor data, and compensates for the movement of the two sets of sensors by generating two sets of compensated sensor data. The two sets of compensated sensor data are generated by adjusting the two sets of sensor data based on the two correction values.

Abstract: The angle of a trailer with respect to a tow vehicle is an important parameter to the stability of the vehicle and trailer. A tow vehicle pulling a trailer in a straight line is generally more stable than when the vehicle is turning. While turning, the angle between the tow vehicle and the trailer is not a straight line but is another angle depending on how sharply the tow vehicle is turning. To safely operate a vehicle towing a trailer, for a given steering input and speed, there is a maximum angle between the tow vehicle and trailer whereby exceeding the angle causes instability and may cause the trailer or tow vehicle to roll over or jackknife. Accordingly, the angle between the trailer and tow vehicle must be determined to ensure the vehicle and trailer will continue to be in control.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing temperature in an autonomous vehicle. An exemplary method comprises performing autonomous driving operations that operate the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous mode, receiving one or more messages from a temperature sensor associated with an electrical device located on or in the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle is operated in the autonomous mode, determining a cooling technique to reduce the temperature of electrical device, and performing the cooling technique.

Abstract: An integrated housing assembly mountable on a roof of a vehicle, such as a semi-trailer truck. The integrated housing assembly includes a main enclosure that includes four sides, a top panel, and a bottom panel. One of the four sides is a front panel that is inclined towards the ground. The main enclosure includes one or more cavities. A front panel of the integrated housing assembly includes one or more openings to allow cameras or sensors to be placed within the one or more cavities and behind the one or more opening. The cameras or sensors cameras can be clamped at a downward angle within multiple lock apparatus. The angled front panel and the inclined cameras or sensors within the lock apparatus allow the cameras or sensors to obtain images or sensor data from one or more regions of interest at some distance from the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for a LiDAR mirror assembly mounted on a vehicle, such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. For example, a LiDAR mirror assembly may include a base plate mounted on a hood of a vehicle, where the base plate is coupled to one end of a support arm. The opposite end of the support arm is attached to a housing. The housing includes a top housing enclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform, where a sensor and a mirror is coupled to the housing, and where the sensor is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top housing enclosure. The opening for the sensor is situated near an end of the housing furthest away from the base plate.

Abstract: The angle of a trailer with respect to a tow vehicle is an important parameter to the stability of the vehicle and trailer. A tow vehicle pulling a trailer in a straight line is generally more stable than when the vehicle is turning. While turning, the angle between the tow vehicle and the trailer is not a straight line but is another angle depending on how sharply the tow vehicle is turning. To safely operate a vehicle towing a trailer, for a given steering input and speed, there is a maximum angle between the tow vehicle and trailer whereby exceeding the angle causes instability and may cause the trailer or tow vehicle to roll over or jackknife. Accordingly, the angle between the trailer and tow vehicle must be determined to ensure the vehicle and trailer will continue to be in control.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing temperature in an autonomous vehicle. An exemplary method comprises performing autonomous driving operations that operate the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous mode, receiving one or more messages from a temperature sensor associated with an electrical device located on or in the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle is operated in the autonomous mode, determining a cooling technique to reduce the temperature of electrical device, and performing the cooling technique.

Abstract: An integrated housing assembly can be mounted on a roof of a vehicle, such as a semi-trailer truck. The integrated housing assembly includes a main enclosure that includes four sides, a top panel, and a bottom panel. One of the four sides is a front panel that is inclined towards the ground. The main enclosure includes one or more cavities. A front panel of the integrated housing assembly includes one or more openings to allow cameras or sensors to be placed within the one or more cavities and behind the one or more opening. The cameras or sensors cameras can be clamped at a downward angle within multiple lock apparatus. The angled front panel and the inclined cameras or sensors within the lock apparatus allow the cameras or sensors to obtain images or sensor data from one or more regions of interest at some distance from the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for a LiDAR mirror assembly mounted on a vehicle, such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle. For example, a LiDAR mirror assembly may include a base plate mounted on a hood of a vehicle, where the base plate is coupled to one end of a support arm. The opposite end of the support arm is attached to a housing. The housing includes a top housing enclosure coupled to a bottom housing platform, where a sensor and a mirror is coupled to the housing, and where the sensor is at least partially exposed through an opening in the top housing enclosure. The opening for the sensor is situated near an end of the housing furthest away from the base plate.