A matching system that matches a first vehicle requiring substitution when being at least either loaded into or unloaded from a parking place and a remote driver driving the first vehicle as a substitute through remote operation includes a terminal and a server. The terminal transmits substitution request information to the server. The server that has received the request information transmits waiting time information to the terminal. The terminal notifies a user or a staff of the received waiting time information, accepts a waiting time information approval or additional fee payment instructions, and settles the additional fee through cooperation with the server, upon receiving the payment instructions. The server changes the turn of the first vehicle in a queue for the remote operation service such that the first vehicle is prioritized more than a second vehicle that has not paid the additional fee, upon completing the additional fee settlement.

A method performed by a controller device is provided. The method includes (a) connecting to a plurality of remote robotic vehicles over a wireless connection; (b) selectively controlling one of the plurality of remote robotic vehicles over the wireless connection; and (c) displaying, on a video screen of the controller device, a video stream received from the one remote robotic vehicle over the wireless connection. A corresponding method is provided to be performed by a robotic vehicle. Apparatuses, computer program products, and a system for performing the method(s) are also provided.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to protecting the privacy of a user of a dispatching service for driverless vehicles. For example, a request for a vehicle identifying user information is received. A client computing device may be identified based on the user information. In response to the request, a driverless vehicle may be dispatched to the location of the client device. Signaling information may be generated based on a set of rules including a first rule that the signaling information does not identify, indirectly or directly, the user as well as a second rule that the signaling information does not identify, indirectly or directly, the user information. The location of the client computing device and the signaling information may be sent to the driverless vehicle for display. In addition, the signaling information may also be sent to the client computing device for display.

A method for determining a flight path of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes: acquiring an initial flight path configured by a management platform; determining, based on the initial flight path, a first group of accessible base stations of the UAV on the initial flight path capable to be accessed when the UAV flies based on the initial flight path; if the first group cannot provide continuous cellular network services for the UAV, acquiring a second group of accessible base stations capable of providing continuous cellular network services for the UAV; and determining the flight path corresponding to the second group as a target flight path. As such, the initial flight path of the UAV can be reasonably adjusted upon that the core network device cannot provide satisfactory network services for the UAV flying according to the initial flight path, to enable the cellular network to provide satisfactory network services for the UAV.

A work site equipment grouping system includes a plurality of work machines including a first work machine and a second work machine. Each work machine is configured to wirelessly communicate with other work machines. The system further includes a local area network including a plurality of communicatively connected nodes, the nodes including the first work machine and the second work machine. The system further includes a third work machine configured to detect one of the first work machine or the second work machine within a signal range of the third work machine and, upon detecting one of the first work machine or the second work machine, automatically join the local area network.

A communication system for sending surveillance signals in a hostile environment to an operator. The communication system comprises a plurality of relay sensors to transceive collected data between sequential relay sensors and ultimately to an operator. The communication system has a tractor for dispensing plural relay sensors throughout the hostile environment. The sensors may be dispensed by an elevator to a position where a relay sensor can be retrieved by a drone for placement to maintain line of sight communication. And relay sensors can be dispensed directly from the tractor to the ground or water. Direct dispensing of the relay sensors can occur through a hole in tractor or off a ramp.

A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus transporting an item being shipped including a mobile base platform, a component alignment interface, a mobility controller, a propulsion and steering system, and sensors. The component alignment interface provides an alignment channel into which another modular component can be placed and secured on the platform. The mobility controller generates propulsion control signals for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and steering control signals for navigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system is connected to the platform and responsive to the propulsion control signal. The steering system is connected to the mobile base platform and is responsive to the steering control signal to cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base. The sensors are disposed on the platform provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.

Examples described may enable provision of remote assistance for an autonomous vehicle. An example method includes a computing system operating by default in a first mode and periodically transitioning from operation in the first mode to operation in a second mode. In the first mode, the system may receive environment data provided by the vehicle and representing object(s) having a detection confidence below a threshold, where the detection confidence is indicative of a likelihood of correct identification of the object(s), and responsive to the object(s) having a confidence below the threshold, provide remote assistance data comprising an instruction to control the vehicle and/or a correct identification of the object(s). In the second mode, the system may trigger user interface display of remote assistor alertness data based on pre-stored data related to an environment in which the pre-stored data was acquired, and receive a response relating to the alertness data.

A method and system for providing a companion autonomous vehicle are described. In one embodiment, a method includes linking a companion autonomous vehicle to at least one vehicle, device, or user. The companion autonomous vehicle is tethered to the at least one vehicle, device, or user such that the companion autonomous vehicle is configured to stay within a predetermined range of the at least one vehicle, device, or user. The method further includes operating the companion autonomous vehicle to travel along with the tethered at least one vehicle, device, or user within the predetermined range.

A vehicle includes a maintenance-necessity detector and an automatic driving controller. The maintenance-necessity detector is configured to determine whether maintenance of the vehicle is necessary. The automatic driving controller is configured to cause the vehicle to move to a maintenance facility at which the maintenance of the vehicle is to be performed, on the basis of automatic driving that is independent of driving to be performed by an occupant of the vehicle, in a case where the maintenance is determined by the maintenance-necessity detector as being necessary.