Inter-vehicle signaling for collision avoidance and harm minimization

Abstract

Inter-vehicle signaling is essential for cooperative collision mitigation. Disclosed are systems and methods for autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles to identify each other, localize each other, and then cooperate in avoiding a collision if avoidable, and minimizing the harm of the collision if not avoidable. Examples include simultaneous wireless and infrared signals that enable other vehicles to specifically identify each cooperating vehicle, so that an evasion strategy can be developed. Additionally, the signaling can include, in the wireless messages or the infrared signals, or both, the wireless address of the transmitting vehicle, thereby enabling unicast communication and greatly improved coordination thereafter. This system will save lives.