Tusimple, Inc.

Joyce Tam

Scott Douglas Foster

Changyi Zhao

Bin Huang

Zhujia Shi

Robert Patrick Brown

Erik Orlando Portillo

Rinku Kumar Patel

Neil M Overmon

A system and method for predicting non-operational design domain (ODD) scenarios are disclosed. In one aspect, a server includes a network communication device configured to communicate with an autonomous vehicle over a network, a memory, and a processor configured to receive information related to the navigation of the autonomous vehicle from a plurality of data sources. The processor is further configured to predict whether the autonomous vehicle will encounter a non-ODD scenario based on the received information and transmit a signal to the autonomous vehicle in response to predicting that the autonomous vehicle will encounter the non-ODD scenario.

System and method for predicting non-operational design domain (ODD) scenarios

An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating an AV includes receiving, by a computer located in the AV, sensor data that indicates a condition of one or more devices in the AV or of a roadway on which the autonomous vehicle is operating; and causing, by the computer and based on the sensor data, the autonomous vehicle to operate in accordance with a maneuver by sending instructions to one or more devices in the autonomous vehicle, wherein the maneuver is configured to bring the autonomous vehicle to a complete stop. In some embodiments, the maneuver may be selected from a plurality of maneuvers in response to determining an occurrence of a fault condition based on the sensor data.

Systems and methods for operating an autonomous vehicle

An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example method for operating the AV includes determining a trajectory related information of a vehicle operating on a roadway on which the AV is operating; receiving sensor data of a first area that includes the vehicle; determining an additional trajectory related information for the AV by comparing the trajectory related information of the vehicle to a current trajectory related information of the AV, wherein the additional trajectory related information is based on a category to which the vehicle belongs, and wherein the additional trajectory related information allows the AV to maintain at least a distance between the AV and the vehicle; and causing the AV to operate in accordance with the additional trajectory related information.

A system comprises an autonomous vehicle (AV) and a control device operably coupled with the AV. The control device receives, from an operation server, a command to navigate the AV to avoid an expected road condition. The control device receives, from sensors of the AV, sensor data comprising location coordinates of a plurality of objects ahead of the AV. The control device determines whether at least one object from the plurality of objects impedes performing the command. In response to determining that at least one object impedes performing the command, the control device updates the command, such that the updated command comprises one or more navigation instructions to avoid the at least one object while performing the command. The control device navigates the AV according to the updated command.

Autonomous vehicle to oversight system communications

A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road structural change on the particular road. The processor updates driving instructions of the lead AV to navigate through the structural change using driving instructions related to the structural change. The processor sends a first message to the operation server indicating that the structural change is detected. The operation server updates the first portion of the map data, reflecting the structural change. The operation server sends the updated map data to the one or more following AVs.

Detecting a road structure change by a lead autonomous vehicle (AV) and updating routing plans for the lead AV and following AVs

A system includes an autonomous vehicle (AV) comprising a sensor, a control subsystem, and an operation server. The control subsystem receives sensor data comprising location coordinates of the AV from the sensor. The operation server detects an unexpected event from the sensor data, comprising at least one of an accident, an inspection, and a report request. The operation server receives a message from a user comprising a request to access particular information regarding the AV and location data. The operation server associates the AV with the user if the location coordinates of the AV match location data of the user. The operation server establishes a communication path between the user and a remote operator for further communications.

Responder oversight system for an autonomous vehicle

A system comprises a lead autonomous vehicle (AV), a control device associated with the lead AV, and a following AV. The control device receives a command to navigate the lead AV to avoid an unexpected road condition. The control device receives sensor data from a sensor of the lead AV, comprising location coordinates of objects ahead of the lead AV. The control device accesses environmental data associated with a portion of a road between the lead AV and following AV. The environmental data comprises location coordinates of objects between the lead AV and following AV. The control device determines whether an object in the sensor data or environmental data impedes performing the command by the following AV. The control device updates the command, if the control device determines that an object impedes performing the command by the following AV, and communicates the updated command to the following AV.

Direct autonomous vehicle to autonomous vehicle communications

A system comprises an autonomous vehicle (AV) and an operation server operably coupled with the AV. The operation server accesses environmental data associated with a road traveled by the AV. The environmental data is associated with a time window during which the AV is traveling along the road. The operation server compares the environmental data with map data that comprises expected road conditions ahead of the AV. The operation server determines whether the environmental data comprises an unexpected road condition that is not included in the map data. In response to determining that the environmental data comprises the unexpected road condition that is not included in the map data, the operation server determines a location coordinate of the unexpected road condition, and communicates a command to the AV to maneuver to avoid the unexpected road condition.

Oversight system to autonomous vehicle communications

A lead autonomous vehicle (AV) includes a sensor configured to observe a field of view in front of the lead AV. Following AVs are on the same road behind the lead AV. A processor of the lead AV is configured to detect a road closure. The processor overrides driving instructions of the lead AV, such that the lead AV is stopped at first location coordinates. The processor sends a first message to an operation server, indicating that the road closure is detected. The operation server update the first portion of the map data, reflecting the road closure. The operation server determines whether re-routing is possible for each AV. If re-routing is possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends re-routing instructions to the AV. If re-routing is not possible is possible for that AV, the operation server sends pulling over instructions to the AV.

Detecting a road closure by a lead autonomous vehicle (AV) and updating routing plans for following AVs

A system includes an autonomous vehicle (AV) comprising a sensor, a control subsystem, and an operation server. The control subsystem receives sensor data comprising location coordinates of the AV from the sensor. The operation server detects an unexpected event from the sensor data, comprising at least one of an accident, an inspection, and a report request. The operation server receives a message from a user comprising a request to access particular information regarding the AV and location data. The operation server associates the AV with the user if the location coordinates of the AV match location data of the user. The operation server generates a ticket for the unexpected ticket. The operation server communicates the particular information to the user. The operation server provides instructions to be forwarded to the user based on a request from the user. The operation server closes the ticket if the unexpected event is addressed.

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Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Joyce Tam