Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency.

Methods and systems autonomously parking and retrieving vehicles are disclosed. Available parking spaces or parking facilities may be identified, and the vehicle may be navigated to an available space from a drop-off location without passengers. Special-purpose sensors, GPS data, or wireless signal triangulation may be used to identify vehicles and available parking spots. Upon a user request or a prediction of upcoming user demand, the vehicle may be retrieved autonomously from a parking space. Other vehicles may be autonomously moved to facilitate parking or retrieval.

Particular embodiments described herein provide for a system and method to help enable a towing vehicle. In an example, the system can identify a location of the disabled vehicle, deploy the towing vehicle to the location of the disabled vehicle, where the towing vehicle uses sensor data from a sensor suite and a perception module to navigate to the location of the disabled vehicle, and use the towing vehicle to tow the disabled vehicle to a new location.

A 240 degrees radially rotatable deck assembly rotatable in either direction without requiring resetting in a park position and requiring only a rotatable outer ring of a slew gear connected to a rotatable sub-frame attached to the deck, a fixed inner ring of the slew gear affixed to a fixed sub-frame fixed to a frame of the assembly and only a single hydraulic motor requiring no cylinders and only one main valve body with incorporated electric solenoids reducing the complexity of the plumbing and the weight of the assembly resulting in lower construction and maintenance costs, improved fuel economy and allowing an increased load weight. The assembly includes a positive holding brake that eliminates blow-by of the rotating section and is rotatable in either direction without requiring being reset in a park position. Such a deck is especially useful on a tow truck.

A flatbed vehicle carrier assembly comprising a carrier body subassembly including a carrier floor supported by a carrier body slide enabling sill frame. An intermediate subframe subassembly is capable of sliding and being pivotally integrated with a slide enabling tilt and pivotal control subassembly, which is pivotally secured therebetween to a mounting platform support assembly. A pivot control device provides a means to rotate and rearwardly transfer and posture the intermediate subframe. The carrier body sill frame is slideably assembled to the intermediate subframe, being driven by a longitudinal control actuator. A ramp can be pivotally integrated into a loading end of the carrier body subassembly. The carrier and ramp floors are fabricated of a series of interlocking extrusion members. The edge rails can include one or more hook receptacles for receiving flat hooks for tie downs or a slot for receiving one or more sliding latching element assemblies.

A vehicle tow assembly includes an elongated, rigid upper member that attaches to a tow vehicle, and a rigid, elongated lower member that attaches, using U-bolts and/or a chain, to a vehicle to be towed. A downwardly-slanting connecting member connects the upper and lower members such that the upper member is higher off the ground than the lower member. A saddle block on the upper member can be turned one way to engage the fifth wheel of the tow vehicle and can be flipped 180 degrees to engage the frame of the tow vehicle when no fifth wheel is present.

Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. An autonomous vehicle may determine an upcoming maneuver for the autonomous vehicle and identify a vehicle signal which is indicative of the upcoming maneuver. Then the autonomous vehicle may present the vehicle signal. After presenting the vehicle signal, the autonomous vehicle may perform the maneuver.

A rollback wrecker vehicle is disclosed. The wrecker vehicle features a pivotable truck bed, which can slide back and tilt downwards to form a ramp-like structure, facilitated by a hydraulic motor and a threaded rod assembly. The wrecker vehicle is particularly advantageous in confined spaces, enabling safer and more efficient vehicle loading onto the wrecker deck without causing damage. Additionally, the truck bed, varying in length from 15 to 24 feet, incorporates C-channels along the threaded rod assembly for added support and alignment. A wheel lift device is included which slides along the truck bed and employs a hydraulic cylinder to lift vehicles. The device includes a wheel lift member with yokes and a hydraulic cylinder for lifting vehicle wheels.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the robustness of autonomous systems, including the use of virtual assessment of software components within a simulated environment. To this end, a server may retrieve one or more routines associated with autonomous operation. The server may also generate a set of test data associated with test conditions. The server may also execute an emulator that virtually simulates autonomous environment. The test data may be presented to the routines executing in the emulator to generate output data. The server may then analyze the output data to determine a quality metric.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the robustness of autonomous systems, including the use of virtual assessment of software components within a simulated environment. To this end, a server may retrieve one or more routines associated with autonomous operation. The server may also generate a set of test data associated with test conditions. The server may also execute an emulator that virtually simulates autonomous environment. The test data may be presented to the routines executing in the emulator to generate output data. The server may then analyze the output data to determine a quality metric.