Zoox, Inc.

Daniel Elliot Schabb

Timothy David Kentley-Klay

Paul Choin

Brandon Loeb

Kevin Hothem

Nicholas Liotta

Forrest Craft

Chao Lu

James Hedden

Ryan McMichael

Anubhav Thakur

Jon Robert Torrey

A system for detecting and/or mitigating the effects of an obstruction on a surface of a sensor may include a surface configured to receive the sensor, and comprising a sensor window configured to provide a path through which the sensor senses the environment. The system may also include a vibratory actuator configured to facilitate vibration of the sensor window and a heating element configured to heat the sensor window. The system may further include an obstruction detection system configured to detect an obstruction, such as moisture, and an obstruction mitigation controller configured to initiate activation of the vibratory actuator and/or the heating element to mitigate the obstruction. The obstruction detection system may be configured to receive a signal from one or more sensors and detect the obstruction based at least in part on the signal.

Sensor obstruction detection and mitigation using vibration and/or heat

A system for detachably coupling subassemblies of vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable module repair or replacement in conventional locations without any additional infrastructure by driving fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.

Worm gear drive unit interface and assembly methods

A system for detachably coupling subassemblies to vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable drive interfaces located in a substantially conventional location (e.g., located vertically on the bottom of the vehicle) to drive fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Daniel Elliot Schabb