System and method for malodor detection and remediation

A method of operating an autonomous vehicle, comprising:

• receiving, from an air quality sensor system of the autonomous vehicle, a sensor signal indicative of a type and a concentration of airborne molecules in a cabin of the autonomous vehicle;
• comparing the concentration of airborne molecules to an air quality threshold for the type of airborne molecules;
• when the concentration of airborne molecules exceeds the air quality threshold, controlling a remediation system of the autonomous vehicle to alter the air quality in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle;
• and
• when the remediation system of the autonomous vehicle fails to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle below the air quality threshold, causing the autonomous vehicle to travel to a service hub where an external remediation technique is performed.

An autonomous vehicle, comprising:

• a mechanical system;
• a remediation system configured to alter an air quality in a cabin of the autonomous vehicle;
• an air quality sensor system configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a type and a concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle;
• a computing system in communication with the mechanical system, the remediation system, and the air quality sensor system, wherein the computing system comprises:
• a processor;
• and
• memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising:
• receiving, from the air quality sensor system, the sensor signal indicative of the type and the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle;
• comparing the concentration of airborne molecules to an air quality threshold for the type of airborne molecules;
• when the concentration of airborne molecules exceeds the air quality threshold, controlling the remediation system to alter the air quality in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle;
• and
• when the remediation system fails to reduce the concentration of airborne molecules in the cabin of the autonomous vehicle below the air quality threshold, controlling the mechanical system to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to a service hub where an external remediation technique is performed.