Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for facilitating automated cleaning of an autonomous vehicle (AV) and in particular, for identifying objects and maintenance areas within an AV cabin. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for collecting sensor data representing a cabin of an autonomous vehicle (AV) using an optical sensor disposed on a robotic arm, identifying one or more objects represented by the sensor data, and determining if the cabin of the AV can be cleaned using one or more tools associated with the robotic arm based on an identification of at least one of the one or more objects. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for localizing a robotic arm to facilitate entry into and cleaning of an autonomous vehicle (AV) cabin. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for locating a door handle of an AV, actuating the door handle to open a door of the AV, and positioning a robotic arm inside a cabin of the AV. The process may further include steps for collecting image data representing the cabin using an optical sensor disposed on a distal end of the robotic arm, identifying one or more features within the cabin based, and localizing the robotic arm within the cabin of the AV. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to an autonomous vehicle computing device for an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle computing device includes a printed circuit board, a heat sink, and a thermal interface material layer between the printed circuit board and the heat sink. The autonomous vehicle computing device further includes a barrier layer between the thermal interface material layer and the printed circuit board. The thermal interface material layer can be formed of a two-part thermal interface material that cures in place. The barrier layer between the thermal interface material layer and the printed circuit board enables separation of the printed circuit board from the thermal interface material layer if reworking or modification of the autonomous vehicle computing device is desired. The barrier layer can enable the printed circuit board to be separated from the thermal interface material layer in a manner that mitigates damage to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to an autonomous vehicle computing device for an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle computing device includes a printed circuit board, a heat sink, and a thermal interface material layer between the printed circuit board and the heat sink. The autonomous vehicle computing device further includes a barrier layer between the thermal interface material layer and the printed circuit board. The thermal interface material layer can be formed of a two-part thermal interface material that cures in place. The barrier layer between the thermal interface material layer and the printed circuit board enables separation of the printed circuit board from the thermal interface material layer if reworking or modification of the autonomous vehicle computing device is desired. The barrier layer can enable the printed circuit board to be separated from the thermal interface material layer in a manner that mitigates damage to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Technologies for embedded and immersed heat pipes in automated driving system computers (ADSC) are described herein. In some examples, an ADSC can include one or more cold plates including one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid channels being configured to circulate a first working fluid from a respective ingress point to a respective egress point; one or more processors coupled to the one or more cold plates; one or more heat pipes coupled to or embedded in the one or more cold plates and configured to collect heat from the one or more processors and transfer the heat away from the one or more processors via a second working fluid in the one or more heat pipes; and a chassis housing the one or more cold plates, the one or more processors, and the one or more heat pipes.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for vehicle charging and in particular, for automating vehicle charging operations. In some aspects, an automated charging station is provided. The charging station can include a base, a rotary actuator mounted to the base, and an arm coupled to the first rotary actuator at a proximal portion, wherein the first rotary actuator is configured to rotate the arm about a z-axis with respect to the base. In some aspects, the automated charging station further includes a linear actuator coupled to the arm at a distal portion, and a charging assembly coupled to the linear actuator, wherein the linear actuator is configured to actuate the charging assembly in a linear direction with respect to the base. Methods for assembling and using an automated charging station are also provided.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to an autonomous vehicle computing device for an autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle computing device includes a printed circuit board, a heat sink, and a thermal interface material layer between the printed circuit board and the heat sink. The autonomous vehicle computing device further includes a barrier layer between the thermal interface material layer and the printed circuit board. The thermal interface material layer can be formed of a two-part thermal interface material that cures in place. The barrier layer between the thermal interface material layer and the printed circuit board enables separation of the printed circuit board from the thermal interface material layer if reworking or modification of the autonomous vehicle computing device is desired. The barrier layer can enable the printed circuit board to be separated from the thermal interface material layer in a manner that mitigates damage to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Technologies for embedded and immersed heat pipes in automated driving system computers (ADSC) are described herein. In some examples, an ADSC can include one or more cold plates including one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid channels being configured to circulate a first working fluid from a respective ingress point to a respective egress point; one or more processors coupled to the one or more cold plates; one or more heat pipes coupled to or embedded in the one or more cold plates and configured to collect heat from the one or more processors and transfer the heat away from the one or more processors via a second working fluid in the one or more heat pipes; and a chassis housing the one or more cold plates, the one or more processors, and the one or more heat pipes.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a delivery trailer to be hitched to an autonomous vehicle for autonomous delivery of packages. The delivery trailer can include sensors to provide data to the autonomous vehicle to which it is to overcome limitations caused by any occlusion of sensors on the autonomous vehicle by the trailer. Furthermore, the present technology addresses several challenges related to autonomous package delivery.

Abstract: Technologies for embedded and immersed heat pipes in automated driving system computers (ADSC) are described herein. In some examples, an ADSC can include one or more cold plates including one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid channels being configured to circulate a first working fluid from a respective ingress point to a respective egress point; one or more processors coupled to the one or more cold plates; one or more heat pipes coupled to or embedded in the one or more cold plates and configured to collect heat from the one or more processors and transfer the heat away from the one or more processors via a second working fluid in the one or more heat pipes; and a chassis housing the one or more cold plates, the one or more processors, and the one or more heat pipes.

Abstract: Technologies for embedded and immersed vapor chambers in automated driving system computers (ADSC) are described herein. In some examples, an ADSC can include one or more cold plates including one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid channels being configured to circulate a first working fluid from a respective ingress point to a respective egress point; one or more processors coupled to the one or more cold plates; one or more vapor chambers coupled to or embedded in the one or more cold plates and configured to collect heat from the one or more processors and transfer the heat away from the one or more processors via a second working fluid in the one or more vapor chambers; and a chassis housing the one or more cold plates, the one or more processors, and the one or more vapor chambers.

Abstract: Technologies for steering sensors in a payload carrier structure on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. An example method can include receiving, by a motor control system on the AV, instructions for controlling a motor on the motor control system to reposition the payload carrier structure from a first position to a second position; based on the instructions, sending, by a controller on the motor control system to a motor driver on the motor control system, a command instructing the motor driver to reposition the payload carrier structure from the first position to the second position; sending, by the motor driver to the motor, a control signal generated by the motor driver based on the command, the control signal controlling the motor to reposition the payload carrier structure to the second position; and moving, by the motor, the payload carrier structure and sensors to the second position.

Abstract: Technologies for embedded and immersed heat pipes in automated driving system computers (ADSC) are described herein. In some examples, an ADSC can include one or more cold plates including one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid channels being configured to circulate a first working fluid from a respective ingress point to a respective egress point; one or more processors coupled to the one or more cold plates; one or more heat pipes coupled to or embedded in the one or more cold plates and configured to collect heat from the one or more processors and transfer the heat away from the one or more processors via a second working fluid in the one or more heat pipes; and a chassis housing the one or more cold plates, the one or more processors, and the one or more heat pipes.

Abstract: Technologies for embedded and immersed vapor chambers in automated driving system computers (ADSC) are described herein. In some examples, an ADSC can include one or more cold plates including one or more fluid channels, the one or more fluid channels being configured to circulate a first working fluid from a respective ingress point to a respective egress point; one or more processors coupled to the one or more cold plates; one or more vapor chambers coupled to or embedded in the one or more cold plates and configured to collect heat from the one or more processors and transfer the heat away from the one or more processors via a second working fluid in the one or more vapor chambers; and a chassis housing the one or more cold plates, the one or more processors, and the one or more vapor chambers.

Abstract: Technologies for steering sensors in a payload carrier structure on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. An example method can include receiving, by a motor control system on the AV, instructions for controlling a motor on the motor control system to reposition the payload carrier structure from a first position to a second position; based on the instructions, sending, by a controller on the motor control system to a motor driver on the motor control system, a command instructing the motor driver to reposition the payload carrier structure from the first position to the second position; sending, by the motor driver to the motor, a control signal generated by the motor driver based on the command, the control signal controlling the motor to reposition the payload carrier structure to the second position; and moving, by the motor, the payload carrier structure and sensors to the second position.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a delivery trailer to be hitched to an autonomous vehicle for autonomous delivery of packages. The delivery trailer can include sensors to provide data to the autonomous vehicle to which it is to overcome limitations caused by any occlusion of sensors on the autonomous vehicle by the trailer. Furthermore, the present technology addresses several challenges related to autonomous package delivery.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a current position of the vehicle along a determined path; retrieving map information that includes a pitch and a curvature of a roadway at or near the current position; determining, based on the map information, a planned pitch and a planned roll of the vehicle at or near the current position; determining, based on the planned pitch and the planned roll, a location of the field of view of the sensing device; determining, based on the location of the field of view and a location of an area of interest, an amount of movement of the sensing device to align the field of view with the area of interest; and generating, one or more control signals to one or more actuators associated with the sensing device based on the determined amount of movement.

Abstract: Systems are provided for observing a rotation of a wheel of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes: a wheel insert positioned within a center bore of the wheel. The wheel insert is movable between a first position and a second, expanded position and in the second, expanded position the wheel insert is coupled to the wheel for rotation with the wheel. The rotation of the wheel insert is to be observed by a sensor. The wheel insert includes a plurality of arms that are movable between a first state and a second, expanded state, and at least one of the plurality of arms is moved into the second, expanded state when the wheel insert is in the second, expanded position.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a sensor platform. The sensor platform includes a sensor mount adapted to receive a sensing device, and a first articulation system that has a first rotational axis. The sensor platform includes a second articulation system that has a second rotational axis, and the second rotational axis is different than the first rotational axis. The sensor platform includes a base that supports the first articulation system, the second articulation system and the sensor mount. The first articulation system and the second articulation system are independently movable to define two degrees of freedom for positioning the sensor platform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a movement of a sensor platform. The method includes receiving a desired position of the platform from a source. The desired position includes a first coordinate value and a second coordinate value. The method includes, based on the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value, calculating, by a processor, a first value associated with a first axis of rotation of the platform and calculating a second value associated with a second axis of rotation of the platform. The method includes outputting, by the processor, one or more control signals to at least one motor associated with the platform to move the platform based on the first value and the second value.