18525783. TECHNOLOGY FOR SITUATIONAL MODIFICATION OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION simplified abstract (STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY)

TECHNOLOGY FOR SITUATIONAL MODIFICATION OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION

Organization Name

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

Inventor(s)

Scott T. Christensen of Salem OR (US)

Gregory L. Hayward of Bloomington IL (US)

TECHNOLOGY FOR SITUATIONAL MODIFICATION OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18525783 titled 'TECHNOLOGY FOR SITUATIONAL MODIFICATION OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE OPERATION

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes systems and methods for modifying the operation of autonomous vehicles in emergency situations. The computing device detects an emergency event, determines the current operation of the vehicle associated with the event, and suggests modifications to the operation that may involve violating roadway regulations to handle the emergency effectively.

• Detection of emergency events by a computing device
• Determination of current vehicle operation related to the emergency event
• Suggesting modifications to the vehicle operation, potentially violating roadway regulations
• Generating instructions for the vehicle to execute the operation modification

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in emergency response vehicles, such as ambulances or fire trucks, to navigate through traffic more efficiently during emergencies.

Problems Solved

This technology addresses the challenge of autonomous vehicles needing to adapt quickly to emergency situations while still following traffic regulations.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include improved response times for emergency vehicles, increased safety during emergency situations, and more efficient handling of unexpected events on the road.

Potential Commercial Applications

Commercial applications of this technology could include integrating it into autonomous vehicle systems used for transportation services, delivery services, and emergency response vehicles.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be systems that provide real-time traffic updates to autonomous vehicles to optimize their routes and speed based on current road conditions.

What are the potential safety implications of modifying autonomous vehicle operations during emergencies?

Modifying autonomous vehicle operations during emergencies could potentially lead to violations of traffic regulations, which may pose safety risks to other drivers and pedestrians on the road. It is essential to ensure that these modifications are carefully designed to prioritize safety while handling emergency situations effectively.

How does this technology impact the overall efficiency of emergency response vehicles?

This technology can significantly improve the efficiency of emergency response vehicles by allowing them to navigate through traffic more effectively during emergencies. By modifying the vehicle's operation to handle emergency events, response times can be reduced, ultimately saving lives and minimizing damage.

Original Abstract Submitted

Systems and methods for situational modification of autonomous vehicle operation are disclosed. According to aspects, a computing device may detect the occurrence of an emergency event and may determine a current operation of an autonomous vehicle that may be associated with the emergency event. The computing device may determine a modification to operation of the autonomous vehicle, where the modification may represent a violation of a roadway regulation that may enable effective handling of the emergency event. The computing device may generate a set of instructions for the autonomous vehicle to execute to cause the autonomous vehicle to undertake the operation modification.