Abstract: An example sensor system for use with a vehicle includes a first group of sensing devices that are associated with an essential level of autonomous operation of the vehicle. The first group of sensing devices are configured and intended for continuous use while the vehicle is being autonomously operated. The sensor system further includes a second group of sensing devices that are associated with a non-essential level of autonomous operation of the vehicle. For example, the second group of sensing devices are configured to be redundant to and/or to enhance the performance of the first group of sensing devices. The second group operates in response to certain conditions being determined during autonomous operation of the vehicle. The sensor system further includes a plurality of assemblies attached to the vehicle. Each assembly includes two or more sensing devices from the first group and/or the second group.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for providing full and redundant sensor coverage for an environment surrounding a vehicle. An example vehicle includes a plurality of first cameras and a plurality of second cameras. The first cameras are associated with a first field-of-view (FOV) having a first horizontal aspect, and the second cameras are associated with a second FOV having a second horizontal aspect. The first cameras and the second cameras are located at different angular locations on the vehicle along a horizontal plane. Horizontal aspects of two FOVs of any two consecutive cameras located along the horizontal plane overlap in the horizontal plane by at least a predetermined degree. Another example vehicle includes a controller for controlling autonomous driving operation of the vehicle and a sensor network that includes at least six sensors. Directional beams corresponding to the sensors cover a surrounding region of the vehicle relevant to the autonomous driving operation.