Remotely engaging autonomous vehicles

Abstract

An example method includes receiving a request to initiate a computer-controlled operational state of the autonomous vehicle. The example method includes verifying, using a cryptographically signed identifier, an identity of the autonomous vehicle and an authorization status associated with the autonomous vehicle. The example method includes verifying that a control subsystem of the autonomous vehicle is configured to execute the software version and that a map subsystem of the autonomous vehicle is configured to execute the map version. The example method includes verifying that one or more environmental conditions associated with the route for execution by the autonomous vehicle satisfy criteria. The example method includes receiving, from a human-machine interface device, a launch signal input. The example method includes transmitting, responsive to the launch signal input and conditioned on successfully verifying the identity and the authorization status, a launch signal to the autonomous vehicle to initiate execution of the route.