Backup control systems and methods for autonomous vehicles

A backup control server for reducing dangers to automation systems of autonomous vehicles, the backup control server comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed to:

• detect an anomalous event, the anomalous event including one of a geomagnetic interference event and a cyber-attack event;
• determine an automation system of a plurality of automation systems of a vehicle impacted by the anomalous event;
• perform a threat assessment for the anomalous event relative to the automation system of the vehicle, the automation system configured to control an aspect of autonomous operation of the vehicle, wherein performing the threat assessment includes determining a severity level of a plurality of predefined severity levels and each severity level of the plurality of predefined severity levels is associated with at least one different mitigating action;
• determine one or more mitigating actions to perform based upon the threat assessment, the one or more mitigating actions configured to reduce a danger to the vehicle presented by the anomalous event;
• and
• cause the vehicle to perform at least one of the one or more mitigating actions on the automation system by transmitting instructions to the vehicle, thereby reducing danger to the vehicle presented by the anomalous event.

A backup control computing device for reducing dangers to automation systems of autonomous vehicles, the backup control computing device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed to:

• determine the occurrence of an anomalous event, the anomalous event including one of a geomagnetic interference event and a cyber-attack event;
• determine an automation system of a plurality of automation systems of a vehicle impacted by the anomalous event;
• perform a threat assessment for the anomalous event relative to the automation system of the vehicle, the automation system configured to control an aspect of autonomous operation of the vehicle, wherein performing the threat assessment includes determining a severity level of a plurality of predefined severity levels and each severity level of the plurality of predefined severity levels is associated with at least one different mitigating action;
• determine one or more mitigating actions to perform based upon the threat assessment, wherein the one or more mitigating actions are configured to reduce a danger to the vehicle presented by the anomalous event;
• and
• perform the at least one of the one or more mitigating actions on the automation system, thereby reducing danger to the vehicle presented by the anomalous event.

A computer-implemented method for reducing dangers to automation systems of autonomous vehicles, the method implemented using a backup control computing device including a processor and a memory, the method comprising, via one or more processors, sensors, servers, or transceivers:

• determining the occurrence of an anomalous event, the anomalous event including one of a geomagnetic interference event and a cyber-attack event;
• determining an automation system of a plurality of automation systems of a vehicle impacted by the anomalous event;
• performing a threat assessment for the anomalous event relative to the automation system of the vehicle, the automation system being configured to control an aspect of autonomous operation of the vehicle, wherein performing the threat assessment includes determining a severity level of a plurality of predefined severity levels and each severity level of the plurality of predefined severity levels is associated with at least one different mitigating action;
• determining one or more mitigating actions to perform based upon the threat assessment, the one or more mitigating actions being configured to reduce a danger to the vehicle presented by the anomalous event;
• and
• performing the at least one of the one or more mitigating actions on the automation system, thereby reducing danger to the vehicle presented by the anomalous event.