Abstract: A vehicle data processing system receives a set of data logged, during operation of each of a fleet of vehicles, by a data logger communicatively coupled to a controller area network (CAN) bus in each of the vehicles. The set of logged data can include a plurality of measurements generated by a sensor configured to transmit the measurements across the CAN bus, and can be received from a storage device to which the set of logged data was uploaded after the vehicle completed one or more trips. The system processes the logged data using a set of alerting rules. When a criterion in the set of alerting rules is satisfied by the set of logged data, the system outputs an alert.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for redundant braking systems and architectures are described. An example method for controlling a vehicle includes receiving, by a braking system, a first set of commands generated by a primary brake controller and a primary vehicle control unit (VCU) comprising multiple processors, receiving a second set of commands generated by the primary VCU and a secondary brake controller, receiving a third set of commands generated by a secondary VCU and the primary brake controller, receiving a fourth set of commands generated by the secondary VCU and the secondary brake controller, and selecting, based on an arbitration logic, exactly one of the first, second, third, and fourth sets of commands to operate the braking system, wherein the primary VCU and the secondary VCU are configured in a master/slave architecture.

Abstract: A system comprises a headlight mounted on an autonomous vehicle. The headlight is configured to illuminate at least a portion of a road the autonomous vehicle is on. The system further comprises a control device associated with the autonomous vehicle. The processor obtains information about an environment around the autonomous vehicle. The processor determines that at least a portion of the road should be illuminated if the information indicates that an illumination level of the portion of the road is less than a threshold illumination level. The processor adjusts the headlight to illuminate at least the portion of the road in response to determining that at least the portion of the road should be illuminated.

Abstract: A system comprises a headlight mounted on an autonomous vehicle. The headlight is configured to illuminate at least a portion of a road the autonomous vehicle is on. The system further comprises a control device associated with the autonomous vehicle. The processor obtains information about an environment around the autonomous vehicle. The processor determines that at least a portion of the road should be illuminated if the information indicates that an illumination level of the portion of the road is less than a threshold illumination level. The processor adjusts the headlight to illuminate at least the portion of the road in response to determining that at least the portion of the road should be illuminated.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for detecting road surface conditions. One exemplary system installed in a vehicle comprises: an audio sensor configured to receive audio signals associated with an environment surrounding the vehicle; a location sensor configured to detect a location of the vehicle; a digital signal processor communicatively coupled to the audio sensor and configured to estimate an estimated road surface condition based on the audio signals received from the audio sensor; a data storage communicatively coupled to the digital signal processor and the location sensor and configured to store the estimated road surface condition with corresponding location information; and a control element communicatively coupled to the data storage and configured to control a driving of the vehicle based on the estimated road surface condition.

Abstract: Techniques are described to enable a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, to steer and/or apply brakes on a road when a failure condition occurs. An example method for autonomous driving operation includes receiving a reduced set of location information that describes a location of the autonomous vehicle on a road; receiving a reduced set of trajectory information where the autonomous vehicle is expected to be driven; determining a driving path information where the autonomous vehicle is expected to be driven; and in response to determining an occurrence of a fault condition: sending a first instruction to cause the autonomous vehicle to steer the autonomous vehicle using at least the driving path information and the reduced set of location information, and sending a second instruction to cause the autonomous vehicle to apply brakes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for using system-level malfunction indicators to monitor the operation and resiliency of the autonomous driving system components are described. One example of a method for diagnosing a fault in a component of an autonomous vehicle includes receiving, from an electrical sub-component of the component, an electrical signal, receiving, from an electronic sub-component of the component, a message, and determining, based on the electrical signal and the message, an operational status of the component.

Abstract: Described are devices, systems and methods for managing a supplemental brake control system in autonomous vehicles. In some aspects, a supplemental brake management system includes brake control hardware and software that operates with a sensing mechanism for determining the brake operational status and a control mechanism for activating the supplemental brake control in an autonomous vehicle, which can be implemented in addition to the vehicle's primary brake control system.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for using system-level malfunction indicators to monitor the operation and resiliency of the autonomous driving system components are described. One example of a method for diagnosing a fault in a component of an autonomous vehicle includes receiving, from an electrical sub-component of the component, an electrical signal, receiving, from an electronic sub-component of the component, a message, and determining, based on the electrical signal and the message, an operational status of the component.

Abstract: Described are devices, systems and methods for managing a supplemental brake control system in autonomous vehicles. In some aspects, a supplemental brake management system includes brake control hardware and software that operates with a sensing mechanism for determining the brake operational status and a control mechanism for activating the supplemental brake control in an autonomous vehicle, which can be implemented in addition to the vehicle's primary brake control system.

Abstract: Techniques are described to enable a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, to steer and/or apply brakes on a road when a failure condition occurs. An example method for autonomous driving operation includes receiving a reduced set of location information that describes a location of the autonomous vehicle on a road; receiving a reduced set of trajectory information where the autonomous vehicle is expected to be driven; determining a driving path information where the autonomous vehicle is expected to be driven; and in response to determining an occurrence of a fault condition: sending a first instruction to cause the autonomous vehicle to steer the autonomous vehicle using at least the driving path information and the reduced set of location information, and sending a second instruction to cause the autonomous vehicle to apply brakes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling an exterior and dashboard lights of an autonomous vehicle are described. One example of a method for controlling one or more exterior lights includes receiving, from an autonomous driving system (ADS) of the vehicle, an input to control one or more exterior lights that are part of a lighting system of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the input, a message to a controller area network (CAN) bus of the lighting system, the message being further based on a driver command upon a determination that a driver-initiated message is received. In an example, the lighting system of the vehicle further comprises a plurality of dashboard lights.

Abstract: A system comprises a headlight mounted on an autonomous vehicle. The headlight is configured to illuminate at least a portion of a road the autonomous vehicle is on. The system further comprises a control device associated with the autonomous vehicle. The processor obtains information about an environment around the autonomous vehicle. The processor determines that at least a portion of the road should be illuminated if the information indicates that an illumination level of the portion of the road is less than a threshold illumination level. The processor adjusts the headlight to illuminate at least the portion of the road in response to determining that at least the portion of the road should be illuminated.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a vehicular safety system in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method for safely controlling a vehicle includes selecting, based on a first control command from a first vehicle control unit, an operating mode of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the selecting, the operating mode to an autonomous driving system, wherein the first control command is generated based on input from a first plurality of sensors, and wherein the operating mode corresponds to one of (a) a default operating mode, (b) a minimal risk condition mode of a first type that configures the vehicle to pull over to a nearest pre-designated safety location, (c) a minimal risk condition mode of a second type that configures the vehicle to immediately stop in a current lane, or (d) a minimal risk condition mode of a third type that configures the vehicle to come to a gentle stop.

Abstract: A system for implementing adaptive light distributions for an autonomous vehicle (comprises the autonomous vehicle, a control device, and a headlight associated with the autonomous vehicle. The control device receives sensor data from sensors of the autonomous vehicle, where the sensor data comprises an image of one or more objects on a road traveled by the autonomous vehicle. The control device determines that a light condition level on a particular portion of the image is less than a threshold light level. The control device adjusts the headlight to increase illumination on a particular part of the road that is shown in the particular portion of the image.

Abstract: A system for communicating a driving mode of an autonomous vehicle (AV) comprises the AV, a control device, and a notification device. The control device defines a threshold region around the AV. The control device receives sensor data from sensors of the AV. The control device detects presence of a vehicle from the sensor data. The control device determines a distance between the vehicle and the AV. The control device determines that the vehicle is within the threshold region based on determining that the distance between the vehicle and the AV is within the threshold region. While the AV is operating in the autonomous mode, the control device triggers the notification device to notify the vehicle that the AV is operating in the autonomous mode, where notifying that the AV is operating in the autonomous mode comprises presenting a visual notification and/or communicating a data message to other vehicles.

Abstract: A system for granting access to an autonomous vehicle comprises the autonomous vehicle, a control device, and a communication device associated with the autonomous vehicle. The communication device receives a signal from a device associated with a user that indicates the user requests the autonomous vehicle to pull over. The control device pulls the autonomous vehicle over to a side of road traveled by the autonomous vehicle. The control device receives a credential associated with the user. The control device determines whether the credential is verified. In response to determining that the credential is verified, the control device grants the user to access the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling an exterior and dashboard lights of an autonomous vehicle are described. One example of a method for controlling one or more exterior lights includes receiving, from an autonomous driving system (ADS) of the vehicle, an input to control one or more exterior lights that are part of a lighting system of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the input, a message to a controller area network (CAN) bus of the lighting system, the message being further based on a driver command upon a determination that a driver-initiated message is received. In an example, the lighting system of the vehicle further comprises a plurality of dashboard lights.

Abstract: Techniques are described to enable a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, to steer and/or apply brakes on a road when a failure condition occurs. An example method for autonomous driving operation includes receiving a reduced set of location information that describes a location of the autonomous vehicle on a road; receiving a reduced set of trajectory information where the autonomous vehicle is expected to be driven; determining a driving path information where the autonomous vehicle is expected to be driven; and in response to determining an occurrence of a fault condition: sending a first instruction to cause the autonomous vehicle to steer the autonomous vehicle using at least the driving path information and the reduced set of location information, and sending a second instruction to cause the autonomous vehicle to apply brakes.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a vehicular safety system in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method for safely controlling a vehicle includes selecting, based on a first control command from a first vehicle control unit, an operating mode of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the selecting, the operating mode to an autonomous driving system, wherein the first control command is generated based on input from a first plurality of sensors, and wherein the operating mode corresponds to one of (a) a default operating mode, (b) a minimal risk condition mode of a first type that configures the vehicle to pull over to a nearest pre-designated safety location, (c) a minimal risk condition mode of a second type that configures the vehicle to immediately stop in a current lane, or (d) a minimal risk condition mode of a third type that configures the vehicle to come to a gentle stop.