Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of facilitating communications from an autonomous vehicle to a user. For instance, a method may include, while attempting to pick up the user and prior to the user entering an vehicle, inputting a current location of the vehicle and map information into a model in order to identify a type of communication action for communicating a location of the vehicle to the user; enabling a first communication based on the type of the communication action; determining whether the user has responded to the first communication from received sensor data; and enabling a second communication based on the determination of whether the user has responded to the communication.

The disclosure relates to augmented reality vehicle identification with visual light communication. For example, a mobile device may be configured for “scanning” an area having multiple parked vehicles within visual range of the mobile device, to identify a target vehicle. The mobile device may include an application for identifying the target vehicle using visual light communication (VLC) equipment and techniques that present an augmented reality outline or other identification of the target vehicle on the smartphone screen once the vehicle is identified by the system. The encrypted communication channels with the vehicle may be established to utilize vehicle headlamps, interior lights, or another light emitting device to establish the VLC between the user's phone and the vehicle VLC system. The mobile device may emit VLC signals using an onboard light emitter while being in visual communication with the target vehicle, establish an encrypted communication channel with the vehicle, and identify the vehicle using automatic and/or user-selectable identification features.

A holographic projection system and method are implemented by a projection device provided on the vehicle; a water mist generating device for generating water mist provided on the vehicle; and a controller in communication with the projection device and the water mist generating device. The controller is configured to detect a signal of user proximity to the vehicle, and activate the water mist generating device and the projection device respectively based on the detected signal, so that the projection device projects an image onto the water mist.

The vehicle-locating flag is a signal device. The vehicle-locating flag is configured for use with a vehicle. The vehicle further comprises a door and an electrical system. The vehicle-locating flag attaches to the door of the vehicle. The vehicle-locating flag is configured for use with a fob. The vehicle-locating flag comprises a display structure and a control circuit. The display structure visibly displays the location of the vehicle. The control circuit operates a strobe light that draws attention to the location of the display structure. The control circuit transmits an SMS message containing the location of the vehicle over a commercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network to a personal data device. The fob transmits a radio frequency signal to initiate the operation of the control circuit.

Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

One general aspect includes a method to exhibit a vehicle status, the method including: receiving a signal that the vehicle status be exhibited at a vehicle; and based on the signal, generating a vehicle status indicator that corresponds to a status of the vehicle, the vehicle status indicator being a visual cue visible in an environment surrounding the vehicle, where the vehicle status indicator is generated by an antenna module located on a portion of the vehicle.

Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling an autonomous vehicle to provide indicators to distinguish the autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles in a fleet. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, a notification system, and a computing system. The notification system outputs an indicator that is perceivable external to the autonomous vehicle. The computing system receives data specifying an identity of a passenger to be picked up by the autonomous vehicle. Moreover, the computing system controls at least one of the vehicle propulsion system or the braking system to stop the autonomous vehicle for passenger pickup. Further, the computing system controls the notification system to output the indicator; a characteristic of the indicator outputted by the notification system is controlled based on the identity of the passenger to be picked up and whether the autonomous vehicle is stopped for passenger pickup.

Technologies are provided for identification of a vehicle or a condition of the vehicle based on recognition of gestures of a pedestrian in the surrounding of the vehicle. Some embodiments of the technologies utilize multiple devices integrated into the vehicle and include a control unit that can control the operation of at least some of the multiple devices. The control unit can determine that a defined mobile device is within a defined range from the vehicle. In response to such a determination, the control unit can identify a gesture of a pedestrian relative to the vehicle, the pedestrian having the mobile device. The control can then cause at least one of the multiple devices to provide one or more visual signals based at least on the gesture. Such visual signals permit identifying the vehicle, an entry point to the vehicle, a condition of the vehicle, or a combination thereof.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method of facilitating communications from an autonomous vehicle to a user. For instance, a method may include, while attempting to pick up the user and prior to the user entering an vehicle, inputting a current location of the vehicle and map information into a model in order to identify a type of communication action for communicating a location of the vehicle to the user; enabling a first communication based on the type of the communication action; determining whether the user has responded to the first communication from received sensor data; and enabling a second communication based on the determination of whether the user has responded to the communication.

In one embodiment, a method includes detecting, using one or more sensors of a vehicle, an entity in an environment surrounding the vehicle. The method includes determining a position of the entity relative to the vehicle. The method includes determining that a message is to be provided to the entity. The method includes selecting at least one of multiple notification devices of the vehicle based on the position of the entity relative to the vehicle. The method includes providing the message to the entity using the selected notification device.