Search Patents
  • Patent number: 11084503
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems and methods are provided for use by an ADV to nudge incoming objects in a self-reverse lane. In an embodiment, an ADV determines that a self-reverse lane has a predetermined width before entering the self-reverse lane. After entering the self-reverse lane, the ADV can follow a first reference line at the center of the self-reverse lane. In response to detecting an incoming object, the ADV creates an alternative lane in the self-reverse lane by temporarily modifying a high definition map. The ADV subsequently follows a second reference line in the alternative lane to nudge the incoming object. In response to detecting that the incoming object has passed and the self-reverse lane is clear, the ADV can drive back to the center of the self-reverse lane, to continue to follow the first reference line in the self-reverse lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: BAIDU USA LLC, BAIDU.COM TIMES TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fan Zhu, Lin Ma, Xin Xu
  • Patent number: 11614740
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes determining a first reference line representing a path through an environment for an autonomous driving vehicle. The method also includes determining a speed constraint function based on a set of speed limits associated with the environment, a set of curvatures of the path, and a set of obstacles in the environment, wherein the speed constraint function comprises a continuous function. The method further includes determining a set of speeds for the path through the environment based on the speed constraint function. The method further includes controlling the autonomous driving vehicle based on the path and the set of speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Yajia Zhang
  • Patent number: 11260855
    Abstract: Methods and systems to predict object movement within a driving environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more objects are detected within the driving environment. One or more predicted trajectories are computed for each of the objects based on map and route information to produce a set of predicted trajectories for the objects. The set of predicted trajectories is used to enumerate a number of combinations of predicted trajectories on which the objects possibly travel within the driving environment. A risk value is computed for each of the combinations to generate a number of corresponding risk values. An autonomous vehicle is controlled based on a combination having a lowest risk value included in the corresponding risk values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Yajia Zhang
  • Patent number: 11561543
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a driving environment is perceived based on sensor data obtained from a variety of sensors, including determining a current speed of an ADV. In response to a request for driving with an idle speed, a speed guideline is generated based on an idle speed curve in view of the current speed of the ADV. A speed planning operation is performed by optimizing a cost function based on the speed guideline to determine the speeds of the trajectory points at different points in time along a trajectory planned to drive the ADV. One or more control commands are then generated to control the ADV with the planned speeds along the planned trajectory, such that the ADV moves according to an intended idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 11577758
    Abstract: In one embodiment, when an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) is parked, the ADV can determine, based on criteria, whether to operate in an open-space mode or an on-lane mode. The criteria can include whether the ADV is within a threshold distance and threshold heading relative to a vehicle lane. If the criteria are not satisfied, then the ADV can enter the open-space mode. While in the open-space mode, the ADV can maneuver it is within the threshold distance and the threshold heading relative to the vehicle lane. In response to the criteria being satisfied, the ADV can enter and operate in the on-lane mode for the ADV to resume along the vehicle lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Shu Jiang, Jiaming Tao, Jinyun Zhou, Qi Luo, Jinghao Miao, Jiangtao Hu, Jiaxuan Xu, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 10824153
    Abstract: A new cost design is disclosed for evaluating candidate path curves for navigating an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) through a segment of a route which may include an obstacle. Each point on each candidate path curve has a plurality of attributes having logical values and an associated priority of evaluation, and at least one numeric attribute having an associated priority of evaluation. A cost for each path curve is determined using the attributes and priorities, and a least cost path curve is selected using the attributes and priorities. By comparing attribute values in accordance with priority, and utilizing logical values, the efficiency of determining path curve cost and selecting a least cost path curve is substantially improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Liangliang Zhang, Dong Li, Jiangtao Hu, Jiaming Tao, Yifei Jiang
  • Patent number: 11273837
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of generating a path for an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) is disclosed. The method includes obtaining vehicle configuration of the ADV. The vehicle configuration includes a longitudinal state of the ADV and a lateral state of the ADV relative to a discretized point along a reference line. The method further includes estimating one or more boundaries for the lateral state of the ADV with respect to the longitudinal state of the ADV. The estimation of the boundaries includes obtaining vehicle parameters and sensor data of the ADV, using a vehicle kinematic model to estimate the boundaries based on the vehicle parameters and the sensor data, and outputting the estimated boundaries. The method further includes generating an optimal path to control the ADV based on the vehicle configuration and the estimated boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Yajia Zhang
  • Patent number: 11718306
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method and an apparatus for acquiring sample deviation data and an electric device, which relate to the fields of artificial intelligence technology, automatic driving technology, intelligent transportation technology and deep learning technology. The specific implementation solution is: in case of acquiring the sample deviation data, a first driving behavior parameter of a vehicle and a second driving behavior parameter of the vehicle in a simulated automatic driving mode are respectively acquired in the manual driving mode; and it is determined whether there is a deviation between the first driving behavior parameter and the second driving behavior parameter, and if there is a deviation, the vehicle is controlled to acquire the sample deviation data within a preset time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Houqiang Zhu, Pengfei Wei, Jia Song, Jianxin Jiang, Songtao Chang
  • Patent number: 11518404
    Abstract: In one embodiment, static-state curvature error compensation control logic for autonomous driving vehicles (ADV) receives planning and control data associated with the ADV, including a planned steering angle and a planned speed. A steering command is generated based on a current steering angle and the planned steering angle of the ADV. A throttle command is generated based on the planned speed in view of a current speed of the ADV. A curvature error is calculated based on a difference between the current steering angle and the planned steering angle. The steering command is issued to the ADV while withholding the throttle command, in response to determining that the curvature error is greater than a predetermined curvature threshold, such that the steering angle of the ADV is adjusted in view of the planned steering angle without acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Qi Luo, Jinyun Zhou, Shu Jiang, Jiaxuan Xu, Jinghao Miao, Jiangtao Hu
  • Patent number: 11662219
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a perception module of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) detects a temporary traffic control device (TTCD) located within a first lane of a multi-lane roadway. The first lane is added to a black list of one or more lanes that the ADV is not permitted to drive within. A rerouting request is made to a planning module of the ADV to route the ADV to a second lane in the multi-lane roadway. The ADV navigates to the second lane and continues navigating along the requested rerouting. The ADV monitors for additional TTCDs. One or more boundary lines of the first lane can be marked “do not cross” so that the ADV does not navigate, even partially, back into the first lane. If there are no more TTCDs in the first lane for a predetermined distance ahead of the ADV, the first lane is deleted from the black list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 11485353
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of autonomously parking an autonomous driving vehicle, includes generating environment descriptor data describing a driving environment surrounding the autonomous driving vehicle (ADV), including identifying a parking space and one or more obstacles within a predetermined proximity of the ADV, generating a parking trajectory of the ADV based on the environment descriptor data to autonomously park the ADV into the parking space, including optimizing the parking trajectory in view of the one or more obstacles, segmenting the parking trajectory into one or more trajectory segments based on a vehicle state of the ADV, and controlling the ADV according to the one or more trajectory segments of the parking trajectory to autonomously park the ADV into the parking space without collision with the one or more obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Jinyun Zhou, Runxin He, Qi Luo, Jinghao Miao, Jiangtao Hu, Yu Wang, Jiaxuan Xu, Shu Jiang
  • Patent number: 11360482
    Abstract: Via a first processing thread, an ADV is controlled according to a first trajectory that was generated based on a first reference line starting at a first location. Concurrently via a second processing thread, a second reference line is generated based on a second location of the first trajectory that the ADV will likely reach within a predetermined period of time in future. The predetermined period of time is greater than or equals to an amount of time to generate a reference line for the ADV. The second reference line is generated while the ADV is moving according to the first trajectory and before reaching the second location. Subsequently, in response to determining that the ADV is within a predetermined proximity of the second location, a second trajectory is generated based on the second reference line without having to calculate the second reference line at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Dong Li, Liangliang Zhang, Yajia Zhang, Yifei Jiang, Haoyang Fan, Jiangtao Hu
  • Patent number: 11377112
    Abstract: Generating control effort to control an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes determining a direction (forward or reverse) in which the ADV is driving and selecting a driving model and a predictive model based upon the direction. In a forward direction, the driving model is a dynamic model, such as a “bicycle model,” and the predictive model is a look-ahead model. In a reverse direction, the driving model is a hybrid dynamic and kinematic model and the predictive model is a look-back model. Current and predicted lateral error and heading error are determined using the driving model and predictive model, respectively. A linear quadratic regulator (LQR) uses the current and predicted lateral error and heading errors to determine a first control effort An augmented control logic determines a second, additional, control effort, to determine a final control effort that is output to a control module to drive the ADV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Qi Luo, Shu Jiang, Jinghao Miao, Jiangtao Hu, Jingao Wang, Jinyun Zhou, Runxin He, Jiaxuan Xu