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.

An aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for improving fuel efficiency of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The apparatus for assisting driving of a host vehicle includes an input configured to receive an input for activation of a fuel efficiency mode; and a controller configured to: in response to receiving the input for activation of the fuel efficiency mode, determine a control factor for power distribution based on route information received from a navigation device of the host vehicle and a state of a battery, and perform power distribution based on the control factor.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control relating to malfunctions are disclosed. Malfunctioning sensors or software of autonomous vehicles may be identified from operating data of the vehicle, and a component maintenance requirement status associated with such malfunctioning component may be generated. Based upon such status, usage restrictions may be enacted to limit operation of the vehicle while the component is malfunctioning. This may include disabling or restricting use of certain autonomous or semi-autonomous features of the vehicle until the component is repaired or replaced. Repair may be accomplished by automatically scheduling repair of the vehicle or installing an updated or uncorrupted version of a software program, in various embodiments.

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 autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control relating to malfunctions are disclosed. Malfunctioning sensors or software of autonomous vehicles may be identified from operating data of the vehicle, and a component maintenance requirement status associated with such malfunctioning component may be generated. Based upon such status, usage restrictions may be enacted to limit operation of the vehicle while the component is malfunctioning. This may include disabling or restricting use of certain autonomous or semi-autonomous features of the vehicle until the component is repaired or replaced. Repair may be accomplished by automatically scheduling repair of the vehicle or installing an updated or uncorrupted version of a software program, in various embodiments.

A system and method for power management of hybrid electric vehicles is provided. In some implementations, a plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle may include an engine, a motor/generator (MG), a traction motor, an energy storage device, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the engine and the MG to control operation of the engine and the MG such that a state-of-charge (SOC) of the energy storage device tracks a dynamic reference SOC profile during a trip and an average engine power (AEP) is maintained above a threshold. In some instances, maintaining AEP above a threshold supports emission control of the vehicle.

An example operation includes one or more of determining, by a transport, that an issue will soon occur, determining, by the transport, a time the issue will occur, and displaying, by the transport, the time the issue will occur. The issue is based on sensor data approaching a threshold within a period of time that is faster than an average period of time.

A vehicle, system and method for improving driving efficiency for a first host vehicle with at least one propulsion unit and at least one energy storage unit are provided. The method comprises; determining a first set of parameters which affects driving efficiency before a driving session with the first host vehicle is initiated and providing input indicative thereof to a user interface or an autonomous or semi-autonomous driving system of the first host vehicle, monitoring a second set of parameters which affects driving efficiency during the driving session of the first host vehicle, comparing parameters of the first and second set of parameters with corresponding parameters received from at least one second host vehicle, and in response to identified differences between parameters of the first and second host vehicle, and providing input indicative thereof to the user interface or the autonomous or semi-autonomous driving system of the first host vehicle.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous electric vehicles may be automatically recharged by routing the vehicles to available charging stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A charge level of the battery of an autonomous electric vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a recharging threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to recharge may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a charging station, recharge the battery, and return to its starting location in order to recharge when not in use.