AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE OPERATION THEREOF
First Claim
1. A transport system comprising a vehicle driven by a passenger from a first location to a second location and adapted for traveling under track-free self-control either from said second location to a third location or to said first location, absent said passenger.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing one-way rides by autonomous vehicles are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the invention operates as a personal ski lift that includes an autonomous snowmobile or all terrain vehicle for providing a low-cost and flexible means to ascend ski-able terrain to bring a skier to a high-altitude skiing destination, so that the skier may depart the vehicle and ski down the terrain independent from the vehicle. The vehicle of the exemplary embodiment may meanwhile travel autonomously to a lower-altitude rendezvous point to meet the skier upon completion of his skiing. Other embodiments within the invention for providing one-way rides by various types of vehicles for various purposes are disclosed.
-
Citations
40 Claims
- 1. A transport system comprising a vehicle driven by a passenger from a first location to a second location and adapted for traveling under track-free self-control either from said second location to a third location or to said first location, absent said passenger.
- 20. A method of transportation wherein a passenger drives a vehicle from a first location to a second location and said vehicle travels under track-free self control either from said second location to a third location or to said first location, absent said passenger.
- 39. A transport system comprising a passenger and a vehicle of the type taken from the group including an all-terrain vehicle and a snowmobile, wherein said vehicle is driven by said passenger from a downhill location to an uphill location, and wherein said vehicle then travels under track-free self-control, absent said passenger, from said uphill location to a meeting location, and said passenger travels independently of said vehicle from said uphill location to said meeting location to meet with said vehicle there-at.
Specification