Communication between autonomous vehicle and external observers
First Claim
1. A method for an autonomous vehicle to communicate with external observers, comprising:
- receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle;
collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle;
determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data;
projecting a human understandable output, via a projector that manipulates or produces light, to a ground surface in proximity to the autonomous vehicle; and
wherein the human understandable output indicates the intended course of action of the autonomous vehicle to an external observer; and
wherein the autonomous vehicle confirms recognition of the external observer by presenting, via the projector, an image of the external observer.
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Abstract
At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., a fully autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle) to communicate with external observers. The method includes: receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; and conveying a human understandable output via an output device, the human understandable output expressly or implicitly indicating the intended course of action to an external observer.
71 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for an autonomous vehicle to communicate with external observers, comprising:
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receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; projecting a human understandable output, via a projector that manipulates or produces light, to a ground surface in proximity to the autonomous vehicle; and wherein the human understandable output indicates the intended course of action of the autonomous vehicle to an external observer; and wherein the autonomous vehicle confirms recognition of the external observer by presenting, via the projector, an image of the external observer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle comprising:
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a control system with electronic circuitry configured to enable the vehicle to complete a task autonomously or semi-autonomously; a sensor, coupled to the control system, configured to collect data related to a surrounding environment of the vehicle; wherein the control system is configured to determine an intended course of action for the vehicle based on the task and the collected data; and an anthropomorphic device, coupled to the control system, configured to convey a human understandable output regarding the intended course of action to an external observer, wherein the vehicle confirms recognition of the external observer by presenting, via the anthropomorphic device, an image of the external observer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for an autonomous vehicle to communicate with external observers, comprising:
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receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; and conveying a human understandable output, via an output device, wherein the human understandable output indicates the intended course of action of the autonomous vehicle to an external observer, wherein the autonomous vehicle confirms recognition of the external observer by presenting, via the output device, an image of the external observer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification