Method and system for determining and dynamically updating a route and driving style for passenger comfort

    公开(公告)号:US10942037B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-09

    申请号:US16111581

    申请日:2018-08-24

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for determining a route for passenger comfort and operating a vehicle according to the determined route. To start, a set of routes from a start location to an end location may be determined. Each route includes one or more portions. For each route of the set of routes, a total motion sickness value is determined based on a sway motion sickness value, a surge motion sickness value, and a heave motion sickness value for each of the given portions. The total motion sickness value for a route reflects a likelihood that a user will experience motion sickness while in a vehicle along the route. A route may then be selected from the set of routes based on the total motion sickness value of each route of the set of routes, and the vehicle may be maneuvered according to the selected route.

    Shear pin failure system
    13.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10759379B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-09-01

    申请号:US16131788

    申请日:2018-09-14

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to adjusting a shear pin to minimize an impact force felt by an object in a collision with a vehicle. For example, one or more second computing devices may receive, from one or more first computing devices, information indicating that an impact with an object is imminent. In response to the received information, the second computing devices may determine a first shear force for a first shear pin, wherein the first shear force is a desired amount of shear force necessary to break the first shear pin. The second computing devices may send a triggering signal to activate an actuator prior to an impact with the identified impact target. The actuator, in response to receiving the triggering signal, may adjust the first shear pin in a first pinhole, so the first shear pin will break at the first shear force.

    Tethered airbags
    14.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10471927B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-11-12

    申请号:US15703312

    申请日:2017-09-13

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to airbag systems for vehicles. The airbag systems may prevent the airbags from splitting apart during impact with a pedestrian or object. The airbag system may include a first airbag attached to a first connector and a second airbag attached to a second connector. The airbag system may also include a tether attached to the first connector and the second connector, and wherein the tether is configured to be pulled taut upon the first or second airbag being deployed in an environment of a vehicle in order to reduce the likelihood of an object colliding directly with the vehicle.

    Sticky airbag for pedestrian protection

    公开(公告)号:US10106124B1

    公开(公告)日:2018-10-23

    申请号:US15247343

    申请日:2016-08-25

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to airbag systems for vehicles. The airbag systems may reduce the secondary impact forces felt by an object upon rebounding from an initial impact with an external airbag by encasing or substantially surrounding the pedestrian with the external airbag. The airbag system may include an external airbag configured to deploy in a vehicle's external environment in order to reduce the likelihood of an object colliding directly with the vehicle and at least one adhesive layer arranged on the external airbag, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to reduce injury caused by a secondary impact of an object upon after an initial impact of the object with the external airbag by causing the object to stick to the external airbag.

    Deployable passenger enclosure
    16.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10023145B1

    公开(公告)日:2018-07-17

    申请号:US15228328

    申请日:2016-08-04

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to deployable structures, such as airbag systems, for vehicles. A system is disclosed for reducing likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. The system may include a seat configured to accommodate the passenger and an airbag system. At least a portion of the airbag system may be incorporated into a vehicle prior to deployment of the airbag system. The airbag system may include an airbag and a locking feature. The locking feature may be configured to lock the airbag with a locking portion of a vehicle when the airbag system has been deployed. The locking feature may be attached to the airbag. Aside from airbags, other confining structures, such as nets, shades, curtains, etc., may also be used as deployable structures.

    Interlocking vehicle airbags
    17.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US09802568B1

    公开(公告)日:2017-10-31

    申请号:US14845410

    申请日:2015-09-04

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to airbag systems for vehicles having interlocking airbags. An example airbag system may include a first airbag having a first shape and a second airbag having a second shape. The first shape and the second shape are configured to interlock with one another in order to reduce the likelihood of an object passing between the first airbag and the second airbag when the first and second airbags are inflated. In addition, the first airbag and second airbag are arranged to deploy on an exterior of the vehicle. An airbag system can also include one or more processors configured to determine that an impact with an object is likely to occur within a predetermined period of time. These processors can also use the determination to send a first signal to deploy the first airbag and a second signal to deploy the second airbag.

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