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 for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. Several communications from autonomous vehicles may be received at a computing device, where the autonomous vehicles are travelling within a threshold distance of each other. Each communication may include an indication of the next waypoint on a route for the respective vehicle. The computing device may analyze the communications to determine maneuvers for the autonomous vehicles so that each autonomous vehicle may navigate to the corresponding waypoint in the least amount of time or distance. The computing device also may cause each of the autonomous vehicles to move in accordance with the maneuvers for the respective vehicle.

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 to determine the robustness of autonomous systems, including the use of virtual assessment of software components within a simulated environment. 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. A risk of malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined by collecting operating data from a plurality of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes. The operating data may be analyzed to identify occurrences of a component malfunctioning. For each component, a risk associated with malfunctioning and/or cyber-attack may be determined based upon the identified occurrences. Based on the risks, at least one result associated with the malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined. A component profile may be generated based upon the determined risk and/or the impact of the determined results.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control relating to anomalies are disclosed. Anomalous conditions with a vehicle operating environment, such as ice patches or flooded roads, may be identified and categorized using autonomous vehicle operating data, and corrective actions to mitigate the impact of such anomalies may be taken. Corrective actions may include maneuvering the vehicle in the area of the anomaly or rerouting the vehicle around the area of the anomaly. A vehicle encountering an anomaly may further communicate an alert to warn other nearby vehicles, including non-autonomous vehicles. Such communication may be limited to anomalies of certain types or severity, and duplicative communications may be suppressed. Vehicles receiving such alerts may take corrective actions or present information regarding the anomaly for operator response.

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.

An L-arm protection system includes an L-arm assembly to engage with wheels of a vehicle for towing the vehicle, the L-arm assembly having a first side and a second side; a sleeve to secure over the first side of the L-arm assembly, the sleeve having a body extending from a first side to a second side and having a channel, the first side being open and the second side being closed; a set screw extending through the body and to tighten the body to the first side of the L-arm assembly; and a chain link secured to the second side of the body and to provide a securing point; the body of the sleeve is to secure around the first side of the L-arm assembly via the set screw.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. A risk of malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined by collecting operating data from a plurality of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes. The operating data may be analyzed to identify occurrences of a component malfunctioning. For each component, a risk associated with malfunctioning and/or cyber-attack may be determined based upon the identified occurrences. Based on the risks, at least one result associated with the malfunction and/or cyber-attack may be determined. A component profile may be generated based upon the determined risk and/or the impact of the determined results.

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.

An anchor spade attachment is disclosed and includes a ground engaging component comprising a platform, a first plurality of teeth and a second plurality of teeth. A first body is longitudinally affixed to the ground engaging component. A second body is longitudinally affixed to the first body. A reinforcing plate is affixed to the platform, the first body, and the second body. The reinforcing plate is positioned orthogonal to the platform. The first plurality of teeth is positioned orthogonal and adjacent to the platform. The second plurality of teeth is positioned orthogonal and adjacent to the platform. The first body and the second body are each positioned orthogonal to the ground engaging component. The first body is centrally positioned on the platform. The platform longitudinally traverses the first body. The second body longitudinally traverses the first body. The second body extends beyond the first body.