Autonomous ready vehicle
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsAmber P. Malone, David J. Koenig, Kevin P. Blair, Patrick D. Weldon, Cole A. Sytsma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for interfacing an autonomous or remote control drive-by-wire controller with a vehicle's control modules. Vehicle functions including steering, braking, starting, etc. are controllable by wire via a control network. A CAN architecture is used as an interface between the remote/autonomous controller and the vehicle's control modules. A CAN module interface provides communication between a vehicle control system and a supervisory, remote, autonomous, or drive-by-wire controller. The interface permits the supervisory control to control vehicle operation within pre-determined bounds and using control algorithms.
Claims22
A vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of ground engaging members;
- a motor coupled to the plurality of ground engaging members, the motor configured to drive the plurality of ground engaging members;
- at least one sensor coupled to the vehicle, the at least one sensor being configured to sense at least one operating condition of the vehicle;
- a communication interface coupled to the at least one sensor and communicatively coupled to an autonomous controller, the communication interface being configured to:
- communicate the at least one operating condition to the autonomous controller;
- and
- receive a command from the autonomous controller based upon the at least one operating condition;
- and
- a vehicle control unit coupled to the communication network and configured to:
- receive, via the communication interface, the command from the autonomous controller;
- and
- control operation of the vehicle based upon the command.
A method for operating a vehicle using an autonomous controller, the method comprising:
- sending, via a communication interface of a vehicle, at least one operating condition to an autonomous controller, wherein the at least one operating condition is sensed by at least one sensor coupled to the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members and a motor coupled to the plurality of ground engaging members, the motor configured to drive the plurality of ground engaging members;
- receiving, via the communication interface, a command from the autonomous controller based upon the at least one operating condition;
- and
- controlling, via a vehicle control unit of the vehicle, operation of the vehicle based upon the command.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.