Patents by Inventor William C. Araujo

William C. Araujo has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240241520
    Abstract: Aspects of drone-assisted offroad vehicle emergency systems are addressed. In one aspect, a system includes an offroad vehicle having integrated therein a processing system coupled to a user interface. The processing system is configured to respond to a potential emergency situation including a stranded or lost person or a hazardous condition in a path of the vehicle. An aerial drone is equipped with multiple sensors for receiving data. Responsive to a trigger, the processing system may instruct the drone to deploy one or more times to survey a target region. The drone may receive sensor data relevant to an emergency situation and relay the data back to the vehicle. The processing system analyzes the data to provide a remedial response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William C. Araujo, Russell A. Patenaude, Luke J. Popiel
  • Publication number: 20240192009
    Abstract: Drone-based offroad vehicle routing systems and corresponding methods are proposed. In one aspect, a vehicle and uniquely assigned an aerial drone embedded with sensors, radar, lidar, etc. may establish a data link. The driver or occupant may input information into the user interface in the vehicle about a region or destination of interest. The vehicle's processor may instruct the drone to scout a target region and receive data about the topographic features of the terrain. The drone may scout the region, receive the data, and forward the data to the vehicle. The processor may compute optimal routes based on data from both the drone and the vehicle sensors. In some aspects, the drone performs calculations of the route and may communicate in or near real time with the vehicle. The system may take into account vehicle data, the skill level of the driver, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William C. Araujo, Russell A. Patenaude, Luke J. Popiel