Systems and methods for cleaning sensors of vehicle

A system for cleaning target locations on a vehicle, the system comprising:

• an onboard interface configured to be incorporated into a vehicle;
• a cleaning device movable relative to the vehicle and configured to clean portions of the vehicle;
• an actuator configured to position the cleaning device relative to the vehicle;
• and
• a controller including a communication system that is configured to communicate with the onboard interface and receive information relating to target locations on the vehicle from the onboard interface, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to selectively position the cleaning device relative to the vehicle and clean the target locations on the vehicle,
• wherein the system further comprises a sensor configured to collect information relating to a position of a vehicle sensor on the vehicle, the controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to receive information from the sensor and identify the vehicle sensor on the vehicle, at least one of the target locations being the vehicle sensor,
• wherein the system further comprises a proximity sensor that is configured to detect when the vehicle is within range of the cleaning device.

A method for cleaning a vehicle sensor, the method comprising:

• providing a system of cleaning the vehicle sensor, the system including:
• a cleaning device movable relative to a vehicle;
• an actuator configured to position the cleaning device relative to the vehicle;
• a sensor configured to collect information relating to a position of a vehicle sensor on the vehicle;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator, the controller configured to receive information from the sensor and identify the vehicle sensor on the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to operate the actuator to selectively position the cleaning device relative to the vehicle and target the vehicle sensor on the vehicle;
• collecting, using the sensor, information relating to a position of the vehicle sensor on the vehicle;
• determining, using the controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, a location of the vehicle sensor on the vehicle based on information received from the sensor;
• determining, using the controller, instructions that cause the actuator to selectively position the cleaning device on a support, relative to the vehicle and target the vehicle sensor on the vehicle;
• and
• cleaning, using the cleaning device, the vehicle sensor,
• wherein the method further comprises detecting, using a proximity sensor, when the vehicle is within range of the cleaning device.