Baidu USA LLC

Baidu.com Times Technology (beijing) Co. Ltd.

Jinyun Zhou

Jiangtao Hu

Jinghao Miao

Shu Jiang

Qi Luo

Yu Wang

Jiaxuan Xu

Jiaming Tao

Runxin He

Jingao Wang

Kecheng Xu

Yifei Jiang

Shiyu Song

Hongyi Sun

Jiacheng Pan

Xiangquan Xiao

Yu Long Cao

Liangliang Zhang

Dong Li

Chao Ma

Weiman Lin

Kuang Hu

Longtao Lin

Zongbao Feng

Shuo Huang

Wei-Man Lin

In one embodiment, a process is performed during controlling Autonomous Driving Vehicle (ADV). A confidence level associated with a sensed obstacle is determined. If the confidence level is below a confidence threshold, and a distance between the ADV and a potential point of contact with the sensed obstacle is below a distance threshold, then performance of a driving decision is delayed. Otherwise, the driving decision is performed to reduce risk of contact with the sensed obstacle.

Delay decision making for autonomous driving vehicles in response to obstacles based on confidence level and distance

A method of navigating an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes determining a target function for an open space model based on one or more obstacles and map information within a proximity of the ADV, then iteratively performing first and second quadratic programming (QP) optimizations on the target function. Then, generating a second trajectory based on results of the first and second QP optimizations to control the ADV autonomously using the second trajectory. The first QP optimization is based on fixing a first set of variables of the target function. The second QP optimization is based on maximizing a sum of the distances from the ADV to each of the obstacles over a plurality of points of the first trajectory, and minimizing a difference between a target end-state of the ADV and a determined final state of the ADV using the first trajectory.

End dynamics and constraints relaxation algorithm on optimizing an open space trajectory

In one embodiment, a control command is generated with an MPC controller, the MPC controller including a cost function with weights associated with cost terms of the cost function. The control command is applied to a dynamic model of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) to simulate behavior of the ADV. One or more of the weights are based on evaluation of the dynamic model in response to the control command, resulting in an adjusted cost function of the MPC controller. Another control command is generated with the MPC controller having the adjusted cost function. This second control command can be used to effect movement of the ADV.

Learning based controller for autonomous driving

A simulation of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes capturing first data that includes a control command output by an autonomous vehicle controller of the ADV, and capturing second data that includes the control command being implemented at a control unit of the ADV. The control command, for example, a steering command, a braking command, or a throttle command, is implemented by the ADV to affect movement of the ADV. A latency model is determined based on comparing the first data with the second data, where the latency model defines time delay and/or amplitude difference between the first data and the second data. The latency model is applied in a virtual driving environment.

Dynamic model with actuation latency

In one embodiment, control of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes determining a current scenario of the ADV. Based on the scenario, a control algorithm is selected among a plurality of distinct control algorithms as the active control algorithm. One or more control commands are generated using the active control algorithm, based one or more target inputs. The control commands are applied to effect movement of the ADV.

Scenario based control of autonomous driving vehicle

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of operating an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes perceiving a driving environment surrounding the ADV based on sensor data obtained from one or more sensors mounted on the ADV, determining a driving scenario, in response to a driving decision based on the driving environment, applying a predetermined machine-learning model to data representing the driving environment and the driving scenario to generate a set of one or more driving parameters, and planning a trajectory to navigate the ADV using the set of the driving parameters according to the driving scenario through the driving environment.

Neural network approach for parameter learning to speed up planning for complex driving scenarios

In one embodiment, a method of training dynamic models for autonomous driving vehicles includes the operations of receiving a first set of training data from a training data source, the first set of training data representing driving statistics for a first set of features; training a dynamic model based on the first set of training data for the first set of features; determining a second set of features as a subset of the first set of features based on evaluating the dynamic model, each of the second set of features representing a feature whose performance score is below a predetermined threshold. The method further includes the following operations for each of the second set of features: retrieving a second set of training data associated with the corresponding feature of the second set of features, and retraining the dynamic model using the second set of training data.

Automated training data extraction method for dynamic models for autonomous driving vehicles

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for optimizing a controller of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes obtaining several samples, each sample having a set of parameters, iteratively performing, until a predetermined condition is satisfied: determining, for each sample, a score according to a configuration of the controller based on the set of parameters of the sample, applying a machine learning model to the samples and corresponding scores to determine a mean function and a variance function, producing a new sample as a minimum of a function of the mean function and the variance function with respect to an input space of the set of parameters, adding the new sample to the several samples, and outputting the new sample as an optimal sample, where parameters of the optimal sample are utilized to configure the controller to autonomously drive the ADV.

Bayesian Global optimization-based parameter tuning for vehicle motion controllers

In one embodiment, an ADV is routed by executing a first driving scenario that is active. The first driving scenario is one of a plurality of driving scenario types, each driving scenario type being associated with one or more stages to be executed while a corresponding driving scenario type is active. Based on an environmental condition around the ADV, a second driving scenario is set as active. The ADV is routed by executing the second driving scenario. When the second driving scenario exits, execution of the first driving scenario resumes at the one or more stages of the first driving scenario that remains to be executed.

Nested scenarios in planning for autonomous driving vehicles

In one embodiment, a method determines a route from a first location of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) to a second location within an open space, the first location being a current location of the ADV. The method determines an objective function based on the route, the objective function having a set of costs for maneuvering the ADV from the first location to the second location. The method determines environmental conditions of the open space and uses the environmental conditions to determine a set of weights, each weight to be applied to a corresponding cost of the objective function. The method optimizes the objective function in view of one or more constraints, such that an output of the objective function reaches minimum while the one or more constraints are satisfied and generates a path trajectory with the optimized objective function to control the ADV autonomously according to the path trajectory.

Open space path planning using inverse reinforcement learning

In one embodiment, a system/method generates a driving trajectory for an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV). The system perceives an environment of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV). The system determines one or more bounding conditions based on the perceived environment. The system generates a first trajectory using a neural network model, wherein the neural network model is trained to generate a driving trajectory. The system evaluates/determines if the first trajectory satisfies the one or more bounding conditions. If the first trajectory satisfies the one or more bounding conditions, the system controls the ADV autonomously according to the first trajectory. Otherwise, the system controls the ADV autonomously according to a second trajectory, where the second trajectory is generated based on an objective function, where the objective function is determined based on at least the one or more bounding conditions.

Hybrid planning system for autonomous vehicles

In one embodiment, a process is performed during controlling Autonomous Driving Vehicle (ADV). Microphone signals sense sounds in an environment of the ADV. The microphone signals are combined and filtered to form an audio signal having the sounds sensed in the environment of the ADV. A neural network is applied to the audio signal to detect a presence of an audio signature of an emergency vehicle siren. If the siren is detected, a change in the audio signature to make a determination as to whether the emergency vehicle siren is a) moving towards the ADV, or b) not moving towards the ADV. The ADV can make a driving decision, such as slowing down, stopping, and/or steering to a side, based on if the emergency vehicle siren is moving towards the ADV.

Emergency vehicle audio detection

In one embodiment, method performed by an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) that determines, within a driving space, a plurality of routes from a current location of the ADV to a desired location. The method determines, for each route of the plurality of routes, an objective function to control the ADV autonomously along the route and, for each of the objective functions, performs Differential Dynamic Programming (DDP) optimization in view of a set of constraints to produce a path trajectory. The method determines whether at least one of the path trajectories satisfies each constraint and, in response to a path trajectory satisfying each of the constraints, selects the path trajectory for navigating the ADV from the current location to the desired location.

Differential dynamic programming (DDP) based planning architecture for autonomous driving vehicles

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.

Autonomous vehicle park-and-go scenario design

In one embodiment, a plurality of obstacles is sensed in an environment of an automated driving vehicle (ADV). One or more representations are formed to represent corresponding groupings of the plurality of obstacles. A vehicle route is determined in view of the one or more representations, rather than each and every one of the obstacles individually.

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Jinyun Zhou