US 11,145,043 B2 · Using unmanned aerial vehicles to inspect autonomous vehicles

Abstract

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to inspect autonomous vehicles. An autonomous vehicle carries a UAV (or “drone”) in a protected area, for example, in a glove compartment, trunk, etc. Between rides, the UAV can be deployed to inspect the autonomous vehicle. Images from the UAV can be sent to other components for image analysis. When an inspection is completed, the UAV can return to the protected area. The UAV can inspect both the interior and exterior of an autonomous vehicle. When an inspection is passed, the autonomous vehicle can begin a new ride. When an inspection is failed, the autonomous vehicle can report for repairs or summon a tow vehicle.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method, the method comprising:

detecting termination of a fare-based ride given to one or more passengers;
determining that an autonomous vehicle is to be inspected in accordance with inspection rules;
releasing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from a protected area within the autonomous vehicle to inspect the autonomous vehicle;
receiving images of one or more of:
interior vehicle components and exterior vehicle components of the autonomous vehicle from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) inspecting the autonomous vehicle;
forwarding the images for image analysis;
and
receiving instructions instructing the autonomous vehicle how to proceed based on the image analysis of the images.

5 more elements

An autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle comprising:

one or more processors;
system memory coupled to one or more processors, the system memory storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors;
an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) stored in a protected area within the autonomous vehicle;
and
the one or more processors configured to execute the instructions stored in the system memory to use the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to inspect the autonomous vehicle, including the following:
detect termination of a fare-based ride given to one or more passengers;
determine that the autonomous vehicle is to be inspected in accordance with inspection rules;
release the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the protected area to inspect the autonomous vehicle;
receive images of one or more of:
interior vehicle components and exterior vehicle components of the autonomous vehicle from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) inspects the autonomous vehicle;
forward the images to other computing resources for image analysis;
receive instructions from the other computing resources instructing the autonomous vehicle how to proceed based on image analysis of the images;
and
capture the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the protected area.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Using unmanned aerial vehicles to inspect autonomous vehicles

Life of this patent

Using unmanned aerial vehicles to inspect autonomous vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19