Abstract:
An autonomous vehicle may be configured to use environmental information for image processing. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode in an environment and may be operating substantially in a lane of travel of the environment. The vehicle may include a sensor configured to receive image data indicative of the environment. The vehicle may also include a computer system configured to compare environmental information indicative of the lane of travel to the image data so as to determine a portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment. Based on the portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment and by disregarding a remaining portion of the image data, the vehicle may determine whether an object is present in the lane, and based on the determination, provide instructions to control the vehicle in the autonomous mode in the environment.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for using uncertainty regarding observations of traffic intersections to modify behavior of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method includes determining a state of a traffic intersection using information from one or more sensors of a vehicle. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode. The method may also include determining an uncertainty associated with the determined state of the traffic intersection. The method may further include controlling the vehicle in the autonomous mode based on the determined state of the traffic intersection and the determined uncertainty.
Abstract:
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to using an object detected at long range to increase the accuracy of a location and heading estimate based on near range information. For example, an autonomous vehicle may use data points collected from a sensor such as a laser to generate an environmental map of environmental features. The environmental map is then compared to pre-stored map data to determine the vehicle's geographic location and heading. A second sensor, such as a laser or camera, having a longer range than the first sensor may detect an object outside of the range and field of view of the first sensor. For example, the object may have retroreflective properties which make it identifiable in a camera image or from laser data points. The location of the object is then compared to the pre-stored map data and used to refine the vehicle's estimated location and heading.
Abstract:
A light detection and ranging device associated with an autonomous vehicle scans through a scanning zone while emitting light pulses and receives reflected signals corresponding to the light pulses. The reflected signals indicate a three-dimensional point map of the distribution of reflective points in the scanning zone. A hyperspectral sensor images a region of the scanning zone corresponding to a reflective feature indicated by the three-dimensional point map. The output from the hyperspectral sensor includes spectral information characterizing a spectral distribution of radiation received from the reflective feature. The spectral characteristics of the reflective feature allow for distinguishing solid objects from non-solid reflective features, and a map of solid objects is provided to inform real time navigation decisions.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for detecting traffic signals and their associated states are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example method includes a scanning a target area using one or more sensors of a vehicle to obtain target area information. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode, and the target area may be a type of area where traffic signals are typically located. The method may also include detecting a traffic signal in the target area information, determining a location of the traffic signal, and determining a state of the traffic signal. Also, a confidence in the traffic signal may be determined. For example, the location of the traffic signal may be compared to known locations of traffic signals. Based on the state of the traffic signal and the confidence in the traffic signal, the vehicle may be controlled in the autonomous mode.
Abstract:
An autonomous vehicle may be configured to use environmental information for image processing. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode in an environment and may be operating substantially in a lane of travel of the environment. The vehicle may include a sensor configured to receive image data indicative of the environment. The vehicle may also include a computer system configured to compare environmental information indicative of the lane of travel to the image data so as to determine a portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment. Based on the portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment and by disregarding a remaining portion of the image data, the vehicle may determine whether an object is present in the lane, and based on the determination, provide instructions to control the vehicle in the autonomous mode in the environment.
Abstract:
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to using an object detected at long range to increase the accuracy of a location and heading estimate based on near range information. For example, an autonomous vehicle may use data points collected from a sensor such as a laser to generate an environmental map of environmental features. The environmental map is then compared to pre-stored map data to determine the vehicle's geographic location and heading. A second sensor, such as a laser or camera, having a longer range than the first sensor may detect an object outside of the range and field of view of the first sensor. For example, the object may have retroreflective properties which make it identifiable in a camera image or from laser data points. The location of the object is then compared to the pre-stored map data and used to refine the vehicle's estimated location and heading.
Abstract:
A autonomous driving computer system determines whether a driving environment has changed. One or more objects and/or object types in the driving environment may be identified as primary objects. The autonomous driving computer system may be configured to detect the primary objects and/or object types, and compare the detected objects and/or object types with the previous known location of the detected object and/or object types. The autonomous driving computer system may obtain several different metrics to facilitate the comparison. A confidence probability obtained from the comparison may indicate the degree of confidence that the autonomous driving computer system has in determining that the driving environment has actually changed.
Abstract:
A method is provided that includes receiving user input identifying a travel destination for a first vehicle, determining, by a processor, a first route for the first vehicle to follow, and configuring the first vehicle to follow the first route. The method further includes obtaining a model for a second vehicle that shares a road with the first vehicle and comparing model to a pre-determined template for a vehicle that is known to be a special purpose vehicle in order to determine whether the first template and the second template match. The method further includes determining, by the processor, a second route that leads to the travel destination, when a match is found to exist, and switching the first vehicle from following the first route to following the second route.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous mode are disclosed. In one aspect, an example method is disclosed that includes obtaining lane information that provides an estimated location of a lane of a road on which a vehicle is traveling. The example method further includes determining that the lane information has become unavailable or unreliable and, in response, using a sensor to monitor a first distance and a second distance between the vehicle and a neighboring vehicle, determining first and second relative positions of the neighboring vehicle based on the first and second distances, respectively, and, based on the first and second relative positions, determining an estimated path of the neighboring vehicle. The example method further includes, based on the estimated path, determining an updated estimated location of the lane, and controlling the vehicle based on the updated estimated location of the lane.