US-12619237-B2 - Technology for managing autonomous vehicle operation in emergency situations

Abstract

Systems and methods for modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle in an emergency situation are disclosed. According to aspects, a computing device associated with the autonomous vehicle detects, based on sensor(s), an emergency event associated with the autonomous vehicle. In response to detecting the emergency event, the computing device determines location(s) of emergency vehicle(s) and determines an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle. The computing device determines which of the emergency vehicle(s) is a nearest emergency vehicle that is nearest to the assistance location, and transmits the assistance location to the nearest emergency vehicle. The computing device then causes the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location.

Inventors

• Scott T. Christensen
• Gregory L. Hayward

Assignees

• STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240326

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A computer-implemented method of modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising: detecting, based on one or more sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle, an emergency event including a situation requiring immediate action associated with the autonomous vehicle; and in response to detecting the emergency event: (a) determining, by one or more processors, an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle based on operation data of a plurality of emergency autonomous vehicles, (b) determining, by the one or more processors, a location of an emergency autonomous vehicle of the plurality of emergency autonomous vehicles that is nearest to the assistance location, wherein the emergency autonomous vehicle is at least partially equipped to handle the emergency event, (c) causing, by the one or more processors, the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location, and (d) causing, by the one or more processors, the emergency autonomous vehicle to operate according to one or more sets of instructions.
2. 2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein causing the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location includes: generating, by the one or more processors, a set of vehicle control instructions based on the assistance location; and executing, by the one or more processors, the set of vehicle control instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location.
3. 3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors associated with the autonomous vehicle are included in a mobile device.
4. 4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the assistance location is at or near a treatment center or police station.
5. 5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the assistance location is a roadside location.
6. 6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the emergency event is a medical emergency associated with an occupant within the autonomous vehicle.
7. 7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting, by the one or more processors, the assistance location to the emergency autonomous vehicle.
8. 8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , further comprising: receiving, from the emergency autonomous vehicle, an expected response time indicating an expected time of arrival of the emergency autonomous vehicle at the assistance location, and providing to the autonomous vehicle the expected time of arrival.
9. 9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sets of instructions are at least partially based on a vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle.
10. 10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving, on a periodic basis, an updated location of the emergency autonomous vehicle, and providing to the autonomous vehicle, on the periodic basis, the updated location.
11. 11 . A system for modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle, comprising: a memory storing a set of computer-executable instructions; and one or more processors interfacing with the memory, the one or more processors associated with the autonomous vehicle and configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to: detect, based on one or more sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle, an emergency event including a situation requiring immediate action associated with the autonomous vehicle; and in response to detecting the emergency event, the one or more processors are configured to: (a) determine an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle based on operation data of a plurality of emergency autonomous vehicles, (b) determine a location of an emergency autonomous vehicle of the plurality of emergency autonomous vehicles that is nearest to the assistance location, wherein the emergency autonomous vehicle is at least partially equipped to handle the emergency event, (c) cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location, and (d) cause the emergency autonomous vehicle to operate according to one or more sets of instructions.
12. 12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein, to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location, the one or more processors are configured to: generate a set of vehicle control instructions based on the assistance location; and execute the set of vehicle control instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location.
13. 13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors associated with the autonomous vehicle are included in a mobile device.
14. 14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the assistance location is at or near a treatment center or police station.
15. 15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the assistance location is a roadside location.
16. 16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the emergency event is a medical emergency associated with an occupant within the autonomous vehicle.
17. 17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to: transmit the assistance location to the emergency autonomous vehicle.
18. 18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to: receive, from the emergency autonomous vehicle, an expected response time indicating an expected time of arrival of the emergency autonomous vehicle at the assistance location, and provide to the autonomous vehicle the expected time of arrival.
19. 19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more sets of instructions are at least partially based on a vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle.
20. 20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to: receive, on a periodic basis, an updated location of the emergency autonomous vehicle, and provide to the autonomous vehicle, on the periodic basis, the updated location.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/402,895, entitled TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, filed Aug. 16, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/906,333, entitled TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, filed Feb. 27, 2018, the entire disclosure of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. FIELD The present disclosure is directed to technologies associated with autonomous vehicle operation. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for modifying or managing operation of autonomous vehicles in association with emergency events or situations. BACKGROUND Technologies associated with operation of autonomous vehicles are improving and becoming more ubiquitous. As a result, use of autonomous vehicles on roadways is expected to increase, with autonomous vehicles expected to at least partially replace conventional (i.e., non-autonomous) vehicles. Similar to conventional vehicles, autonomous vehicles may be of different types and for different uses. For example, some autonomous vehicles may serve to transport individuals to a destination, while other autonomous vehicles may be designated for emergency use (e.g., a fire engine or ambulance). In the event of an emergency situation, such as a dispatch of a fire engine, a hurricane, or a tornado, conventional vehicles may be operated differently than they are in normal situations. For example, conventional vehicles may pull over to the side of the road to allow a fire engine unobstructed access to the road. As another example, a police car may operate at an increased speed in order to more quickly reach a destination. However, there is no way to inform autonomous vehicles, whether emergency or non-emergency, of emergency situations, and thus autonomous vehicles do not operate at optimal efficiency in emergency situations. Accordingly, there is an opportunity for techniques to detect emergency situations and accordingly facilitate effective operation of autonomous vehicles. SUMMARY In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle in an emergency situation is provided. The method may include: detecting, based on one or more sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle, an emergency event associated with the autonomous vehicle, and in response to detecting the emergency event: (a) determining one or more locations of one or more emergency vehicles, (b) determining an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle, the assistance location being a future location of the autonomous vehicle to receive assistance from the one or more emergency vehicles, (c) transmitting the assistance location to the one or more emergency vehicles, (d) obtaining a current operation of the autonomous vehicle, (e) determining, based on the current operation of the autonomous vehicle and the assistance location, a vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle, (f) generating, by a computer processor based on the vehicle operation modification, a set of vehicle control instructions for the autonomous vehicle, and (g) providing the set of vehicle control instructions to the autonomous vehicle, wherein the autonomous vehicle executes the set of vehicle control instructions to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to the assistance location. In another embodiment, a system for modifying operation of an autonomous vehicle in an emergency situation is provided. The system may include: a transceiver configured to communicate with the autonomous vehicle via at least one network connection; a memory storing a set of computer-executable instructions; and a processor interfacing with the transceiver and the memory, and configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to: detect, based on one or more sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle, an emergency event associated with the autonomous vehicle; and in response to detecting the emergency event: (a) determine one or more locations of one or more emergency vehicles, (b) determine an assistance location for the autonomous vehicle, the assistance location being a future location of the autonomous vehicle to receive assistance from the one or more emergency vehicles, (c) transmit the assistance location to the one or more emergency vehicles, (d) obtain a current operation of the autonomous vehicle, (e) determine, based on the current operation of the autonomous vehicle and the assistance location, a vehicle operation modification for the autonomous vehicle, (f) generate, by a computer processor based on the vehicle operation modification, a set of vehicle control instructions for the autonomous vehicle, and (g) provide the set of vehicle control instructions to the autonomous vehicle, wherein the autonomous vehicle executes the s