Methods for autonomously navigating across uncontrolled and controlled intersections
First Claim
1. A method for autonomously navigating along a first crosswalk at an intersection by an autonomous vehicle, wherein the method comprises:
- at a first time, autonomously navigating along a first sidewalk toward the first crosswalk at the intersection, wherein the first crosswalk coincides with a navigation route assigned to the autonomous vehicle;
recording optical data of a scene proximate the autonomous vehicle via an optical sensor integrated into the autonomous vehicle;
detecting the first crosswalk in the optical data;
aligning an anteroposterior axis of the autonomous vehicle to the first crosswalk detected in the optical data;
detecting a first pedestrian proximate the intersection in the optical data;
determining that the first pedestrian has entered the first crosswalk at a second time based at least in part on the optical data, wherein the second time follows the first time;
in response to determining that the first pedestrian has entered the first crosswalk at the second time,predicting right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection; and
in response to predicting the right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection,autonomously navigating from the first sidewalk into the first crosswalk; and
autonomously navigating along the first crosswalk to a second sidewalk according to the navigation route.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One variation of a method for autonomously navigating along a crosswalk includes: at a first time, navigating autonomously along a sidewalk toward a crosswalk coinciding with a navigation route assigned to the autonomous vehicle; recording optical data of a scene proximal the autonomous vehicle via an optical sensor integrated into the autonomous vehicle; aligning an anteroposterior axis of the autonomous vehicle to the crosswalk detected in the optical data; identifying a pedestrian proximal the crosswalk in the optical data; in response to the pedestrian entering the crosswalk at a second time succeeding the first time, predicting right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the crosswalk; and, in response to predicting right of the autonomous vehicle to enter the crosswalk, autonomously navigating from the sidewalk into the crosswalk and autonomously navigating along the crosswalk to an opposing sidewalk according to the navigation route.
73 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for autonomously navigating along a first crosswalk at an intersection by an autonomous vehicle, wherein the method comprises:
-
at a first time, autonomously navigating along a first sidewalk toward the first crosswalk at the intersection, wherein the first crosswalk coincides with a navigation route assigned to the autonomous vehicle; recording optical data of a scene proximate the autonomous vehicle via an optical sensor integrated into the autonomous vehicle; detecting the first crosswalk in the optical data; aligning an anteroposterior axis of the autonomous vehicle to the first crosswalk detected in the optical data; detecting a first pedestrian proximate the intersection in the optical data; determining that the first pedestrian has entered the first crosswalk at a second time based at least in part on the optical data, wherein the second time follows the first time; in response to determining that the first pedestrian has entered the first crosswalk at the second time, predicting right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection; and in response to predicting the right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection, autonomously navigating from the first sidewalk into the first crosswalk; and autonomously navigating along the first crosswalk to a second sidewalk according to the navigation route. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for autonomously navigating along a crosswalk comprising, by an autonomous vehicle:
-
autonomously navigating along a first sidewalk toward the crosswalk at an intersection, wherein the crosswalk coincides with a navigation route assigned to the autonomous vehicle; recording optical data of a scene proximate the autonomous vehicle via an optical sensor integrated into the autonomous vehicle; aligning an anteroposterior axis of the autonomous vehicle to the crosswalk detected in the optical data; at a first time, calculating a first confidence score for right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the crosswalk based at least in part on proximity of a vehicle detected proximate the intersection in the optical data; at a second time succeeding the first time, detecting a pedestrian proximate the intersection in the optical data; determining whether the first confidence score exceeds a first threshold score; in response to determining that the first confidence score does not exceed the first threshold score, determining that the pedestrian is entering the crosswalk; calculating a second confidence score for the right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the crosswalk based at least in part on presence of the pedestrian in the crosswalk, wherein the second confidence score is greater than the first confidence score; and determining whether the second confidence score exceeds a first threshold score;
in response to determining that the second confidence score exceeds the first threshold score,transmitting a query to a remote operator portal for confirmation for the autonomous vehicle to enter the crosswalk; receiving the confirmation for the autonomous vehicle to enter the crosswalk from the remote operator portal; and in response to receiving the confirmation for the autonomous vehicle to enter the crosswalk from the remote operator portal, autonomously navigating from the first sidewalk into the crosswalk; and
autonomously navigating along the crosswalk to a second sidewalk according to the navigation route. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for autonomously navigating along a crosswalk at an intersection by an autonomous vehicle, wherein the method comprises:
-
autonomously navigating along a first sidewalk toward a crosswalk at the intersection, wherein the crosswalk coincides with a navigation route assigned to the autonomous vehicle; recording optical data of a scene proximate the autonomous vehicle via an optical sensor integrated into the autonomous vehicle; detecting the crosswalk in the optical data; aligning an anteroposterior axis of the autonomous vehicle to the crosswalk detected in the optical data; at a first time, determining states of lighted traffic signals, proximate the intersection based at least in part on the optical data; at approximately the first time, calculating a velocity of a vehicle approaching the intersection; calculating a confidence score for right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection based at least in part on the states of the lighted traffic signals proximate the intersection and the velocity of the vehicle; determining that the confidence score exceeds a threshold score; in response to determining that the confidence score exceeds the threshold score, transmitting a query to a remote operator portal to confirm entry of the autonomous vehicle into the crosswalk; receiving confirmation of the entry of the autonomous vehicle into the crosswalk from the remote operator portal in response to the query; and in response to receiving the confirmation from the remote operator portal; autonomously navigating from the first sidewalk into the crosswalk; and autonomously navigating along the crosswalk to a second sidewalk according to the navigation route. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification