US 11,960,287 B2Granted

Technology for managing autonomous vehicle operation in emergency situations

AssigneeState Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

InventorsScott T. Christensen, Gregory L. Hayward

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Systems and methods for modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle in an emergency situation are disclosed. According to aspects, a computing device associated with the autonomous vehicle detects, based on sensor(s), an emergency event associated with the autonomous vehicle. In response to detecting the emergency event, the computing device determines location(s) of emergency vehicle(s) and determines an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle. The computing device determines which of the emergency vehicle(s) is a nearest emergency vehicle that is nearest to the assistance location, and transmits the assistance location to the nearest emergency vehicle. The computing device then causes the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method of modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle in an emergency situation, the method comprising:

detecting, based on one or more sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle, an emergency event including a situation requiring immediate action associated with the autonomous vehicle;
and
in response to detecting the emergency event:
(a) determining, by one or more processors, one or more locations of one or more emergency autonomous vehicles,
(b) determining, by the one or more processors, an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle, the assistance location being a future location of the autonomous vehicle to receive assistance from the one or more emergency autonomous vehicles,
(c) determining, by the one or more processors, which of the one or more emergency autonomous vehicles is a nearest emergency autonomous vehicle that is nearest to the assistance location, wherein the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle is at least partially equipped to handle the emergency event,
(d) transmitting, by the one or more processors, the assistance location to the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle,
(e) causing, by the one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location in the shortest amount of time utilizing a vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle, wherein the operation modification adjusts the autonomous vehicle operation by setting a maximum speed of the autonomous vehicle,
(f) transmitting, to the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle, one or more sets of instructions at least partially based on the vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle, and
(g) causing, by the one or more processors, the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle to operate according to the one or more sets of instructions.

7 more elements

A system for modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle in an emergency situation, comprising:

a memory storing a set of computer-executable instructions;
and
one or more processors interfacing with the memory, the one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
detect, based on one or more sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle, an emergency event including a situation requiring immediate action associated with the autonomous vehicle;
and
in response to detecting the emergency event, the one or more processors are configured to:
(a) determine one or more locations of one or more emergency autonomous vehicles,
(b) determine an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle, the assistance location being a future location of the autonomous vehicle to receive assistance from the one or more emergency autonomous vehicles,
(c) determine which of the one or more emergency autonomous vehicles is a nearest autonomous emergency vehicle that is nearest to the assistance location, wherein the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle is at least partially equipped to handle the emergency event,
(d) transmit the assistance location to the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle,
(e) cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location in the shortest amount of time utilizing a vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle, wherein the operation modification adjusts the autonomous vehicle operation by setting a maximum speed of the autonomous vehicle,
(f) transmit, to the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle, one or more sets of instructions at least partially based on the vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle, and
(g) cause, by the one or more processors, the nearest emergency autonomous vehicle to operate according to the one or more sets of instructions.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/402,895Filed 16 Aug 2021 · continuation
Priority: 27 Feb 2018
Published: US 2021/0373563 A12 Dec 2021
Granted: 16 Apr 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

G05D 1/0214
With means for defining a desired trajectory: in accordance with safety or protection criteria, e.g. avoiding hazardous areas
G05D 1/0011
Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots: associated with a remote…
G05D 1/0276
Specially adapted to land vehicles: using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle
G05D 1/223
Operated by humans: command input arrangements on the remote controller, e.g. joysticks or touch screens