An alignment system comprises a first diffractive optical element comprising an image and a laser source. The image is visible when the laser source is viewed from a desired field of view through the diffractive optical element. The laser source may be configured to produce a beam of light that will extend through at least a portion of the first diffractive optical element, thereby illuminating the image. The first diffractive optical element and the laser source may be disposed in a vehicle.

Disclosed are techniques for mutual authentication between a passenger that has requested a transportation service and a dispatched vehicle for providing the requested transportation service. A user device associated with the passenger verifies the dispatched vehicle using a vehicle access token generated by a transportation service platform and sends a secret key to the dispatched vehicle. The dispatched vehicle uses the secret key to recover passenger biometric information from a passenger secret received from the user device through the transportation service platform, captures passenger biometric information on-site, and compares the recovered passenger biometric information and the passenger biometric information collected on-site to verify the passenger.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling 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 refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.

An authentication apparatus comprises a scanning apparatus and an alignment apparatus. The scanning apparatus comprises a sensor configured to capture identifying information of the user in a field of view. The alignment apparatus comprises a housing forming an interior region comprising a viewing aperture positioned proximate to the scanning apparatus. The viewing aperture defines an alignment region intersecting the field of view in an exterior region. A first indicator is positioned in the interior region aligned with the alignment region along an alignment axis of the viewing aperture. The first indicator is configured to emit a first light into the alignment region through the aperture.

This invention relates to security systems. Previously, vehicle vandals and thieves were difficult to stop. Embodiments of the present invention use a vehicle security system (100) includes at least two image capture devices (ICD), sensors, a global positioning system tracking module (GPSTM), a control module (CM), and a monitoring device. The ICD are positioned at predetermined locations of the vehicle for capturing and transmitting images of a target object. The CM receives the captured images and sensor data variables. The CM analyzes the received images and sensor data variables based on predefined criteria to trigger auxiliary units. The CM transmits the images and sensor data variables based on the predefined criteria to the monitoring device. A graphical user interface displays the images for monitoring the vehicle and notifies the user.

Access and/or starting device for a vehicle An access and/or starting apparatus (ZSV) for a vehicle (FZ) has the following features. It comprises a biometric sensor device (BS; BS1-BS4, BSI) for detecting a biometric feature (GE) of a user; a position determining device (ZGS) for determining the position of an identification transmitter (IDG1, IDG2) assigned to the user (BU); a control device (STG) for enabling a vehicle function if the biometric feature of the user that is detected by the biometric sensor device (BS; BS1-BS4, BSI) corresponds to a predetermined feature and, the position determining device (ZGS) detects the identification transmitter in a predetermined region (ANB) around or in the vehicle (FZ). The security of the access and/or starting apparatus is increased in this way.

Hybrid user recognition methods systems for vehicle access and control are disclosed. For one example, a hybrid user recognition system can capture at least two types of biometric data of a user. The user is recognized if at least two types of captured biometric data match with at least two types of registered biometric signatures of the user. If the user is recognized, the user is allowed access or control of at least part of the electronic or driving controls of the otherwise the user is prevented from access or control of the vehicle. Examples of user biometrics include facial, voice, iris, fingerprint and behavioral biometrics.

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. A computing device may receive data for the same road segment from autonomous vehicles, including (i) an indication of a location within the road segment, and (ii) an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may generate, from the data for the same road segment, an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a computing device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the computing device.

Methods and systems for repairing a malfunctioning autonomous vehicle (AV) or semi-autonomous vehicle (SAV) are described herein. The AV or SAV may determine that an autonomous feature or sensor is malfunctioning and the extent of the damage to the autonomous feature or sensor. Then the AV or SAV may compare the extent of the damage to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the AV or SAV remains serviceable or otherwise road worthy. If the AV or SAV remains serviceable, the AV or SAV may locate the nearest repair facility having the necessary electronic components in stock and technical expertise for repairing the AV or SAV. Then the AV or SAV may request the nearest repair facility to send an autonomous repair vehicle to the current location of the AV or SAV to facilitate repair.

A vehicle occupant identification system includes a detection system configured to detect that an individual is proximate a vehicle. The detection system is configured to detect the proximity of an individual by detecting at least one of a door unlock, a key fob, a door opening, a door closing, a seated passenger, and an individual proximate the vehicle. A controller is operably coupled with the detection system and is configured to activate an identification system. The identification system includes an imager configured to illuminate an eye of an occupant of the vehicle and capture at least one image of an iris and a pupil of the eye. A processor is configured to compare the at least one image of the iris of the eye of the occupant with previously stored iris information to identify the occupant and activate the vehicle.