# US 2019/0377350 A1 · Systems and methods for operating an autonomous vehicle in a presence of hazardous materials > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0377350 A1 - Document ID: US20190377350A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/006,544 - Filed: 2018-06-12 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-12 - Assignees: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Patrick Hunt; Justin Wade; Lacey Trelfa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190377350A1 ## CPC - G01C 21/3415: {Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents} - G01N 33/497: of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an autonomous vehicle in the presence of hazardous materials. The autonomous vehicle is operated in travel along a selected route. A determination is made, using a sensor, that a hazardous material is present inside the autonomous vehicle during the operation of the autonomous vehicle. In response, a setting of the autonomous vehicle is changed to counteract the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle. Additionally, also in response, a modified route is calculated, the modified route addressing the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle. Then, the autonomous vehicle is operated to travel along the modified route. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising: operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along a selected route; determining, using a sensor, a presence of hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle during the operation of the autonomous vehicle; in response to determining the presence of hazardous material: changing a setting of the autonomous vehicle to counteract the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle; calculating a modified route, wherein the modified route addresses the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle; and operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the modified route. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hazardous material is a human-generated biohazardous material, wherein a human-generated biohazardous material comprises at least one of human vomit, human blood, human stool, and human urine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a gas analyzer, and wherein determining the presence of the hazardous material comprises determining, using the sensor, that a concentration of a chemical compound exceeds a first threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the chemical compound comprises at least one of butyric acid and urea. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising: in response to determining that the concentration of the chemical compound exceeds the first threshold: displaying an override option; and in response to the user activating the override option: canceling the setting change and operating the autonomous vehicle to travel along the selected route; and in response to determining that a concentration of a particular chemical compound exceeds a second threshold greater than the first threshold: removing the display of the override option. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein changing a setting of the autonomous vehicle comprises increasing air ventilation inside the vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein changing a setting of the autonomous vehicle comprises opening a window of the autonomous vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the modified route comprises adding a stop to the selected route in a close vicinity of the current location of the autonomous vehicle to allow the user to exit the autonomous vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the modified route comprises: selecting a first-responder facility destination; and calculating a route from the current location of the autonomous vehicle to the first-responder facility destination. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein calculating the modified route comprises: providing information indicative of the presence of hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle to the first-responder facility. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the modified route comprises: selecting a cleaning facility destination; and calculating a route from the current location of the autonomous vehicle to the cleaning facility destination. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein calculating the modified route comprises: providing information indicative of the presence of hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle to the cleaning facility. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the presence of hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle comprises: receiving video input from a camera located inside the autonomous vehicle; and determining that the video input includes an indication of hazardous material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a biohazard warning on an outside surface of the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle travels along the modified route. ### Claim 15 A system for operating an autonomous vehicle, the system comprising: circuitry configured to: operate the autonomous vehicle to travel along a selected route; determine, using a sensor, a presence of hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle during the operation of the autonomous vehicle; and in response to determining the presence of hazardous material: change a setting of the autonomous vehicle to counteract the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle; calculate a modified route, wherein the modified route addresses the presence of the hazardous material inside the autonomous vehicle; and operate the autonomous vehicle to travel along the modified route. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the hazardous material is a human-generated biohazardous material, wherein a human-generated biohazardous material comprises at least one of human vomit, human blood, human stool, and human urine. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a gas analyzer, and wherein determining the presence of the hazardous material comprises determining, using the sensor, that a concentration of a chemical compound exceeds a first threshold. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical compound comprises at least one of butyric acid and urea. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the circuitry configured is further configured to: in response to determining that the concentration of the chemical compound exceeds the first threshold: display an override option; and in response to the user activating the override option, cancel the setting change and operating the autonomous to travel along the selected route; and in response to determining that a concentration of a particular chemical compound exceeds a second threshold greater than the first threshold: remove the display of the override option. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein, while calculating the modified route, the circuitry is configured to: add a stop to the selected route in a close vicinity of the current location of the autonomous vehicle to allow the user to exit the autonomous vehicle.