Autonomous vehicle socialization

An autonomous vehicle for vehicle socialization, comprising:

• a sensor suite including a plurality of external sensors to generate sensor data;
• an onboard computer configured to receive routing instructions and control the autonomous vehicle to drive along a route, and to receive the sensor data and detect other road users;
• and
• a vehicle socialization platform including:
• a plurality of social actions;
• a contextual awareness module;
• and
• a database of nearby map data;
• and configured to:
• define a temporary interactivity zone around the autonomous vehicle that moves with the autonomous vehicle as the autonomous vehicle drives;
• determine a second fleet vehicle is within the temporary interactivity zone based on the database of nearby map data;
• display a map on a device interface showing the autonomous vehicle, the temporary interactivity zone, and the second fleet vehicle within the temporary interactivity zone, the map configured to receive a passenger selection of the second fleet vehicle;
• determine, based on the sensor data, that the autonomous vehicle is visible from the second fleet vehicle;
• select a first social action from the plurality of social actions to perform;
• receive passenger input in response to the selected first social action;
• update the first social action based on the passenger input;
• and
• perform the updated first social action.

A method for vehicle socialization, comprising:

• receiving local map data including nearby fleet vehicle location data at a first autonomous vehicle;
• defining, at the first autonomous vehicle, a temporary interactivity zone around the first autonomous vehicle that moves with the first autonomous vehicle while the first autonomous vehicle drives;
• determining, at the first autonomous vehicle, that a second fleet vehicle is within the temporary interactivity zone;
• displaying a map on a device interface showing the first autonomous vehicle, the temporary interactivity zone, and the second fleet vehicle, the device interface configured to receive a passenger selection of the second fleet vehicle;
• determining, based on vehicle sensor data from external vehicle sensors on the first autonomous vehicle, that the first autonomous vehicle is visible from the second fleet vehicle;
• selecting, at the first autonomous vehicle, a first social action from a set of social actions;
• receiving passenger input in response to the first social action from a passenger in the first autonomous vehicle;
• updating the first social action based on the passenger input;
• and
• performing the updated social action on an exterior of the first autonomous vehicle.