Autonomous vehicle software version assessment

US9946531B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company · US

Inventors

• Brian Mark Fields · Phoenix, US
• Chien Che Huang · Normal, US
• Mohamed A. Wazeer · Normal, US
• Shawn C. Bennett · Le Roy, US
• Steven C. Cielocha · Bloomington, US
• Ronny S. Bryant · Bloomington, US
• Stephen Kohaus · Normal, US
• Terry Quakenbush · Bloomington, US
• Richard A. Novak · Bloomington, US
• Aaron Scott Chan · San Jose, US
• Craig M. Main · Allen, US
• Weixin Wu · Seattle, US
• Torri Wollenschlager · Bloomington, US
• Carol Marie Csanda · Hudson, US
• Stacey Gorsuch · Bloomington, US
• Todd Binion · Bloomington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 6, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2018
• Expiry date: Jan 11, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60W2900/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. In certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a computer-implemented method for updating an autonomous operation feature may be provided. An indication of a software update associated with the autonomous operation feature may be received, and several autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles having the feature may be identified. The update may be installed within the several vehicles, such as via wireless communication. Also, a change in a risk level associated with the update to the autonomous operation feature may be determined, and an insurance discount may be determined or adjusted. As a result, an insurance discount may be provided to risk averse customers that affirmatively share their vehicle data with an insurance provider, and promptly and remotely receive new versions of software that operate autonomous vehicle safety features.