The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 04, 2026
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2023
Torc Robotics, Inc., Blacksburg, VA (US);
Joseph R. Fox-Rabinovitz, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Pablo Smith, Blacksburg, VA (US);
William Davis, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Akshay Pai Raikar, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Mihir Deshingkar, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Justin Yurkanin, Blacksburg, VA (US);
TORC Robotics, Inc., Blacksburg, VA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for guiding an autonomous vehicle through known and unknown environments by following a remote vehicle are disclosed. An autonomous vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a computing system including a processor, a memory device, and at least one sensor configured to receive signals from a remote vehicle. The processor is programmed to receive a message to follow a remote vehicle, the follow instruction message including at least one identifier. The processor is further programmed to detect the remote vehicle, confirm the identity of the remote vehicle using the at least one identifier, and then establish a communication link with the remote vehicle. Once the at least one processor determines that the remote vehicle is aligned with the autonomous vehicle, the at least one processor may transmit one or more instructions which cause the autonomous vehicle to follow the remote vehicle.