Automated-taxi that proposes alternate-destination to optimize route

A controller-circuit for operating an automated-taxi, said controller-circuit comprising:

• an input configured to communicate with an input-device operable by a client to indicate a desired-destination of the client;
• an output configured to communicate with a display viewable by the client;
• and
• a processor in communication with the input-device and the display, said processor configured determine a preferred-route in accordance with the desired-destination and a plurality of other-destinations indicated by a plurality of other-clients of an automated-taxi, wherein the preferred-route includes an alternate-destination for the client, said alternate-destination characterized as within a distance-threshold of the desired-destination of the client, operate the display to request a route-approval from the client for the alternate-destination, and, in response to receiving the route-approval, operate the automated-taxi in accordance with the preferred-route to transport the client to the alternate-destination.

A method for operating an automated-taxi, said method comprising:

• receiving a desired-destination of a client from an input-device operable by the client;
• determining a preferred-route in accordance with the desired-destination and a plurality of other-destinations indicated by a plurality of other-clients of an automated-taxi, wherein the preferred-route includes an alternate-destination for the client, said alternate-destination characterized as within a distance-threshold of the desired-destination of the client;
• operating a display to show the preferred-route to the client;
• requesting a route-approval from the client for the alternate-destination;
• and
• in response to receiving the route-approval, operating the automated-taxi in accordance with the preferred-route to transport the client to the alternate-destination.