US 2026/0119637 A1 · DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR REMOTE AUTHORIZATION OF VEHICLE PLATOONING

Abstract

Systems and methods for coordinating and controlling vehicles, for example heavy trucks, to follow closely behind each other, or linking to form a platoon. In one aspect, on-board controllers in each vehicle interact with vehicular sensors to monitor and control, for example, relative distance, relative acceleration or deceleration, and speed. In some aspects, vehicle onboard systems supply various data (breadcrumbs) to a Network Operations Center (NOC), which in turn provides data (authorization data) to the vehicles to facilitate platooning. The NOC suggests vehicles for platooning based on, for example, travel forecasts and analysis of relevant roadways to identify platoonable roadway segments. The NOC also can provide traffic, roadway, weather, or system updates, as well as various instructions. In some aspects, a mesh network ensures improved communication among vehicles and with the NOC. In some aspects, a vehicle onboard system may provide the authorization data.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of forming a platoon between a first vehicle and a second vehicle out of a plurality of vehicles, wherein one of the first and second vehicles will be a lead vehicle in the platoon and one will be a following vehicle in the platoon, the method comprising:

analyzing, at a network operations center (NOC), external conditions in a vicinity of two or more of the plurality of vehicles, the external conditions being selected from a group consisting of location, time of day, road conditions, weather, and traffic;
analyzing, at the NOC, internal conditions relating to two or more of the plurality of vehicles, the internal conditions being selected from a group consisting of vehicle characteristics, vehicle position, vehicle route, vehicle destination, heading, and platooning availability:
responsive to the analyzing of the external and internal conditions, authorizing, at the NOC, formation of the platoon, wherein authorizing formation of the platoon includes:
specifying a first location at which the platoon may begin;
and
specifying a second location, beyond the first location, beyond which platooning is not authorized;
and
transmitting one or more signals to the first vehicle and the second vehicle to enable forming the platoon based on the authorizing.

5 more elements

A system for forming a platoon between a first vehicle and a second vehicle out of a plurality of vehicles, wherein one of the first and second vehicles will be a lead vehicle in the platoon and one will be a following vehicle in the platoon, the system comprising:

a network operations center (NOC) including at least one processor and associated non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory containing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to:
analyze external conditions in a vicinity of two or more of the plurality of vehicles, the external conditions being selected from a group consisting of location, time of day, road conditions, weather, and traffic;
analyze internal conditions relating to two or more of the plurality of vehicles, the internal conditions being selected from a group consisting of vehicle characteristics, vehicle position, vehicle route, vehicle destination, heading, and platooning availability;
responsive to analyzing the external and internal conditions, authorize formation of the platoon, wherein authorizing formation of the platoon includes:
specifying a first location at which the platoon may begin;
and
specifying a second location, beyond the first location, beyond which platooning is not authorized;
and
transmit one or more signals to the first vehicle and the second vehicle to enable forming the platoon based on the authorizing.

6 more elements

an onboard vehicle control system in at least one of the first and second vehicles, the onboard vehicle control system including at least one processor and associated memory, the memory containing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the onboard vehicle control system to:
analyze external conditions in a vicinity of two or more of the plurality of vehicles, the external conditions being selected from a group consisting of location, time of day, road conditions, weather, and traffic;
analyze internal conditions relating to two or more of the plurality of vehicles, the internal conditions being selected from a group consisting of vehicle characteristics, vehicle position, vehicle route, vehicle destination, heading, and platooning availability;
responsive to analyzing the external and internal conditions, authorize formation of the platoon, wherein authorizing formation of the platoon includes:
specifying a first location at which the platoon may begin;
and
specifying a second location, beyond the first location, beyond which platooning is not authorized;
and
transmit one or more signals to enable forming the platoon based on the authorizing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Devices, systems, and methods for remote authorization of vehicle platooning

Life of this patent

Devices, systems, and methods for remote authorization of vehicle platooning

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20