Mobile launchpad for autonomous vehicles

A method, comprising:

• receiving a request to allow restarting of movement of an autonomous vehicle following the autonomous vehicle being stopped;
• receiving autonomous vehicle sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor located on the autonomous vehicle and configured, when the autonomous vehicle is stopped, to observe a first field-of-view comprising at least a first portion of a zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle;
• receiving a communication from a portable device operated by a user at a location where the autonomous vehicle is stopped, wherein the communication from the portable device comprises information regarding whether a second portion of the zone around the autonomous vehicle is free of obstructions, wherein, when combined, the first portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle and the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle comprise an entire zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle;
• determining, based on the autonomous vehicle sensor data, whether the first portion of the zone around the autonomous vehicle is free of obstructions that would prevent movement of the stopped autonomous vehicle;
• determining, based on the communication from the portable device, whether the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle is free of obstructions that would prevent movement of the stopped autonomous vehicle;
• if it is determined that both the first portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle and the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle are free of obstructions, allowing the stopped autonomous vehicle to begin moving;
• and
• if it is determined that at least one of the first portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle or the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle is not free of obstructions, preventing the stopped autonomous vehicle from beginning to move.

A control subsystem, comprising:

• a network interface configured to communicate with:
• an autonomous vehicle comprising at least one vehicle sensor located on the autonomous vehicle and configured, when the autonomous vehicle is stopped, to observe a first field-of-view comprising at least a first portion of a zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle, and
• a portable device configured to be operated by a user at a location where the autonomous vehicle is stopped;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface and configured to:
• receive a request to allow restarting of movement of the autonomous vehicle following the autonomous vehicle being stopped;
• receive autonomous vehicle sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor;
• receive a communication from the portable device, wherein the communication from the portable device comprises information regarding whether a second portion of the zone around the autonomous vehicle is free of obstructions, wherein, when combined, the first portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle and the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle comprise an entire zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle;
• determine, based on the autonomous vehicle sensor data, whether the first portion of the zone around the autonomous vehicle is free of obstructions that would prevent movement of the stopped autonomous vehicle;
• determine, based on the communication from the portable device, whether the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle is free of obstructions that would prevent movement of the stopped autonomous vehicle;
• if it is determined that both the first portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle and the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle are free of obstructions, allow the stopped autonomous vehicle to begin moving;
• and
• if it is determined that at least one of the first portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle or the second portion of the zone around the stopped autonomous vehicle is not free of obstructions, prevent the stopped autonomous vehicle from beginning to move.