Systems and methods for semi-autonomous convoying of vehicles
First Claim
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1. A server system useful in association with a plurality of vehicles, the server system comprising:
- a processor, located remotely from the plurality of vehicles, configured to select for autonomous or semi-autonomous linking a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle from a plurality of vehicles, the linking selection based on at least a plurality of a vehicular location, a vehicular destination, a vehicular load, weather conditions, traffic conditions, a vehicular type, a trailer type, recent history of vehicular links, a fuel price, a driver profile;
a server transceiver adapted for long range communication, responsive to the processor, and configured to communicate with the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle the linking selection determined by the processor, anda second communications link for direct short range communications by which the lead vehicle communicates wirelessly with the at least one follower vehicle to control at least acceleration and braking of the at least one follower vehicle.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating participants of vehicular convoys to closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle has significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. On the opposite end of the spectrum, fully autonomous solutions require inordinate amounts of technology, and a level of robustness that is currently not cost effective.
49 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A server system useful in association with a plurality of vehicles, the server system comprising:
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a processor, located remotely from the plurality of vehicles, configured to select for autonomous or semi-autonomous linking a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle from a plurality of vehicles, the linking selection based on at least a plurality of a vehicular location, a vehicular destination, a vehicular load, weather conditions, traffic conditions, a vehicular type, a trailer type, recent history of vehicular links, a fuel price, a driver profile; a server transceiver adapted for long range communication, responsive to the processor, and configured to communicate with the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle the linking selection determined by the processor, and a second communications link for direct short range communications by which the lead vehicle communicates wirelessly with the at least one follower vehicle to control at least acceleration and braking of the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a server-based system useful in association with a plurality of vehicles, a vehicular convoying method comprising:
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selecting for autonomous or semi-autonomous linking, by a server remote from the plurality of vehicles, a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle from a plurality of vehicles, the linking selection based on at least a plurality of a vehicular location, a vehicular destination, a vehicular load, weather conditions, traffic conditions, a vehicular type, a trailer type, recent history of vehicular links, a fuel price, a driver profile; communicating, by a server transceiver associated with the remote server and configured for long range communication, to the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle the linking selection, and providing a second communications link for short range wireless communications by which the lead vehicle communicates directly with the at least one follower vehicle to control at least acceleration and braking of the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A central server useful in association with a plurality of vehicles, the server comprising:
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a processor configured to select for linking a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle from a database comprising data representative of a plurality of vehicles, the linking selection based on at least three of a vehicular location, a vehicular destination, a vehicular load, weather conditions, traffic conditions, a vehicular type, a trailer type, recent history of vehicular links, a fuel price, a driver profile; and a server transceiver responsive to the processor and configured to communicate the linking selection to the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification