Nuro Corp.

Heba Mustufa

Quresh Sutarwala

Noopur Divekar

Bryan McLaughlin

Paul Michael White

Tao Yang

Julien Lambert

Michael Lepkowski

Albert Ng

Prasanna Nambi

Paridhi Desai

An autonomous vehicle can include multiple low voltage power domains. Each low voltage power domain can comprise a low voltage power distribution unit (LVPDU). An LVPDU can include a failsafe switch that can selectively couple or de-couple the low voltage power domain from a shared backup low voltage power source, which can be configured to concurrently supply backup power multiple low voltage power domains or LVPDUs. A first LVPDU of a first low voltage power domain can generate a control signal to control the failsafe switch of a second LVPDU of the second low voltage power domain to disconnect the second low voltage power domain from the shared low voltage backup power source, and vice versa.

Failsafe control of shared backup power for multiple power domains in an autonomous vehicle

According to one aspect, an autonomous vehicle includes hardware systems which receive relatively low voltage from a low voltage power distribution unit (LVPDU). An LVPDU includes a power source such as a DC-DC converter and a plurality of backup batteries. The plurality of backup batteries is configured to provide backup power to subsets of components arranged to effectively all be powered by the power source onboard the LVPDU. The backup batteries may be tested, substantially while LVPDU is being used to provide power. The backup batteries may be charged substantially in parallel.

Low voltage power distribution unit for autonomous vehicle

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Heba Mustufa