US-12623692-B2 - Emergency report system for autonomous vehicles

Abstract

The disclosed method for reporting an emergency on a roadway includes sensing, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of an autonomous vehicle, a perceived situation nearby the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the ECU, to perform an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle when the perceived situation indicates an emergency situation. The method includes initiating an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes transmitting, by the ECU, an emergency report to at least one emergency service, the emergency report including autonomous vehicle information and emergency situation information.

Inventors

• Carlo Elwinger

Assignees

• TORC ROBOTICS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20231207

Claims (18)

1. 1 . A method for reporting an emergency on a roadway, the method comprising: sensing, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of an autonomous vehicle, a perceived situation nearby the autonomous vehicle, wherein the perceived situation includes sensed gestures by a nearby individual including arm waving; determining, by the ECU, to perform an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle when the perceived situation indicates an emergency situation; initiating an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle; and transmitting, by the ECU, an emergency report to at least one emergency service, the emergency report including autonomous vehicle information and emergency situation information.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing the perceived situation includes sensing a human emergency, a vehicle emergency, a weather emergency, or an environmental emergency.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the emergency report is in response to the nearby individual making an emergency call through a communication module of the ECU.
4. 4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising indicating, through a user interface coupled with the ECU, receipt of the emergency report by a remote emergency report system in communication with the autonomous vehicle.
5. 5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the user interface includes at least one of a microphone, a speaker, or a camera.
6. 6 . An emergency report system for an autonomous vehicle, the emergency report system comprising: an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising a memory storing executable instructions and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to gain access to and execute the executable instructions, the at least one processor programmed to: employ at least one sensor to sense a perceived situation nearby the autonomous vehicle, wherein the perceived situation includes sensed gestures by a nearby individual including arm waving; determine to perform an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle when the perceived situation indicates an emergency situation; initiate the emergency stop; and transmit an emergency report to at least one emergency service, the emergency report including autonomous vehicle information and emergency situation information.
7. 7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the detected emergency situation includes at least one of a human emergency, a vehicle emergency, a weather emergency, or an environmental emergency.
8. 8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor programmed to initiate maneuvering the autonomous vehicle to a stop.
9. 9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor programmed to initiate maneuvering the autonomous vehicle to maintain a stop.
10. 10 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the emergency report includes information received from a remote emergency report system coupled to the autonomous vehicle, the information at least partially provided by a nearby individual.
11. 11 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to indicate, through a user interface coupled with the ECU, receipt of the emergency report by a remote emergency report system in communication with the autonomous vehicle.
12. 12 . An autonomous vehicle comprising: a user interface; and an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising a memory storing executable instructions and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to gain access to and execute the executable instructions, the at least one processor programmed to: employ at least one sensor to sense a perceived situation nearby the autonomous vehicle, wherein the perceived situation includes sensed gestures by a nearby individual including arm waving; determine to perform an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle when the perceived situation indicates an emergency situation; initiate the emergency stop; and transmit an emergency report to at least one emergency service through a remote emergency report system, the emergency report including autonomous vehicle information and emergency situation information.
13. 13 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the user interface for transmitting a communications mode activation signal to one or more emergency services.
14. 14 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 13 , further comprising an actuator cover for protecting the actuator.
15. 15 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the user interface includes at least one of a microphone, a speaker, or a camera.
16. 16 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable a nearby individual to complete an emergency call.
17. 17 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 further comprising a camera coupled to the autonomous vehicle and communicatively coupled to the ECU.
18. 18 . The autonomous vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate over at least one wireless channel with the at least one emergency service.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The field of the disclosure relates generally to autonomous vehicles and, more specifically, to an emergency report system for autonomous vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Truck cabs, vehicles, and public areas are often equipped with an emergency button or alarm for a driver or individual to press to contact emergency services when there is an emergency, danger, or crisis. Alternatively, if there is a life-threatening situation or danger arises, a driver or occupant of the vehicle, or a nearby individual may use a mobile telephone, or a telephone at an emergency manual or automatic call point, located along a roadway or in a building or structure, to initiate an alarm signal or to contact emergency services. These communication methods are sometimes implemented by transmitting global positioning system (GPS) data to summon for help or to alert people, or by using a wireless or wired connection to connect with an emergency services system operating on a communications network. In some emergency situations, however, individuals may not be able to locate the call point, or there are no vehicle occupants or nearby individuals with a communication device, or the communication device fails or is inaccessible. Many vehicles are equipped with driver assistance technologies to help save lives in an emergency and prevent injuries on roadways. As automotive technology continues to evolve, there is a desire to deliver safety benefits through automated driving systems. For example, since some automated driving systems remove a human driver from events leading to an emergency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires manufacturers and operators of automated driving systems to report crashes. This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure described or claimed below. This description is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the disclosed method for reporting an emergency on a roadway includes sensing, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of an autonomous vehicle, a perceived situation nearby the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, by the ECU, to perform an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle when the perceived situation indicates an emergency situation. The method includes initiating an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes transmitting, by the ECU, an emergency report to at least one emergency service, the emergency report including autonomous vehicle information and emergency situation information. In another aspect, the disclosed emergency reporting system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising a memory storing executable instructions and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to gain access to and execute the executable instructions. The ECU includes a sensor evaluation unit configured to employ at least one sensor to sense a perceived situation nearby the autonomous vehicle. The ECU includes a behavior module configured to determine to perform an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle when the perceived situation indicates an emergency situation and initiate the emergency stop. A communication subsystem is configured to transmit an emergency report to at least one emergency service, the emergency report including autonomous vehicle information and emergency situation information. In yet another aspect, the disclosed autonomous vehicle includes a user interface, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU includes a memory storing executable instructions and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to gain access to and execute the executable instructions. The ECU includes a sensor evaluation unit configured to employ at least one sensor to sense a perceived situation nearby the autonomous vehicle. The ECU includes a behavior module configured to determine to perform an emergency stop of the autonomous vehicle when the perceived situation indicates an emergency situation, and initiate the emergency stop. The ECU includes a communication subsystem communicatively coupled to a remote emergency report system, the communication subsystem configured to transmit an emergency report to at least one emergency service, the emergency report including autonomous vehicle information and emergency situation information. Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed