Systems and methods for entering traffic flow in autonomous vehicles

US10488861B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Jeremy Allan · Midland School, US
• Eric Lujan · San Francisco, US
• Peter Gao · San Francisco, US
• Siddhartho Bhattacharya · San Jose, US
• Wei Mou · South San Francisco, US
• Jonathan Ken Uesato · Saratoga, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 22, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 26, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05D1/0257
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, an obstacle management method includes receiving, via one or more sensing devices, sensor data relating to an environment associated with a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is substantially stationary and has an intended path corresponding to entering a traffic flow of a first lane. The method includes determining the presence of an obstacle that at least partially occludes a view of the first lane by a first sensing device of the one or more sensing devices, and positioning, with a processor, the vehicle with respect to the obstacle to improve the view of the first lane by the first sensing device without significantly obstructing the first lane. The first lane is then monitored via the first sensing device to determine when the intended path clear.