A precipitation index estimation apparatus includes a data collection unit and an estimation processing unit. The data collection unit is configured to collect rain-related data for estimating a precipitation index indicating an intensity of precipitation within a predetermined period from vehicle state information generated in one or more vehicles. The estimation processing unit is configured to carry out a statistical processing of the collected rain-related data and estimate the precipitation index within the predetermined period. The estimation processing unit is configured to correct, before the statistical processing, a value of the rain-related data to be used for the statistical processing, according to speed of a vehicle at the time at which the rain-related data is acquired.

Sensor cleaning devices, methods, and systems are provided. Output from sensors of a vehicle may be used to describe an environment around the vehicle. In the event that a sensor is obstructed by dirt, debris, or detritus the sensor may not sufficiently describe the environment for autonomous control operations. In response to receiving an indication of an obstructed sensor, the sensor cleaning devices, methods, and systems described herein may proceed to remove the obstruction from the sensor.

An imaging device for a vehicle and a vehicle are disclosed. The imaging device includes: a casing, a camera, a wiping member, and a drive device. The casing includes a casing body and a transparent cover disposed to the casing body, and the transparent cover is rotatable relative to the casing body. The camera is disposed in the casing and configured to obtain image information outside the transparent cover through the transparent cover. The wiping member is disposed to the casing and is stationary relative to the camera. The drive device is connected with the transparent cover and configured to drive the transparent cover to rotate to enable the wiping member to wipe an outer surface of the transparent cover.

A wiper device for a small and curved surface such as a spherical surface of an optical element includes at least one elongate wiper element with two ends, two drive units to which the ends of the wiper element are attached so that the wiper element can be moved on the surface of the optical element using the two drive units, and at least one contacting means for bringing the wiper element into contact with a surface of the optical element, the contacting means shapes the wiper element around at least that part of the surface which is exposed to the environment due to an opening provided by the housing and is to be cleaned.

A system includes a sensor base, a sensor cover having a window that is rotatably mounted to the base. The system includes a contacting cleaner and a contactless cleaner. The system further includes a processor that is programmed to actuate, first, the contactless cleaner and, then, upon determining that opacity of the window exceeds a predetermined threshold after actuation of the contactless cleaner, the contacting cleaner.

A vehicle control device includes a driving controller configured to control one or both of steering and acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle; and a mode determiner configured to determine a driving mode of the vehicle to be one of a plurality of driving modes including a first driving mode and a second driving mod, in which the second driving mode is a driving mode in which a task imposed on a driver of the vehicle is lighter than that of the first driving mode and one or both of the steering and the acceleration or deceleration are controlled by the driving controller, and to change the driving mode to the first driving mode on the basis of an operating state of a wiper mounted in the vehicle when the driving controller controls the vehicle in the second driving mode.

Examples of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising: a wiper assembly and a sensor assembly. The wiper assembly may include: a linkage assembly; a wiper blade removably attached to the linkage assembly; and a actuator coupled to the linkage assembly and configured to enable rotation of the linkage assembly around a shaft. The sensor assembly may include: a plurality of optical sensors arranged along a linear axis; and a window between the plurality of optical sensors and the wiper assembly. The wiper blade is longitudinally oriented parallel to the linear axis, and the wiper blade is configured to translate in a direction perpendicular to the linear axis while maintaining contact with the window during translation.

Examples of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising: a wiper assembly and a sensor assembly. The wiper assembly may include: a linkage assembly; a wiper blade removably attached to the linkage assembly; and a actuator coupled to the linkage assembly and configured to enable rotation of the linkage assembly around a shaft. The sensor assembly may include: a plurality of optical sensors arranged along a linear axis; and a window between the plurality of optical sensors and the wiper assembly. The wiper blade is longitudinally oriented parallel to the linear axis, and the wiper blade is configured to translate in a direction perpendicular to the linear axis while maintaining contact with the window during translation.

An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive video frames comprising at least one of a vehicle or an outdoor environment near the vehicle and a correction signal. The processor may be configured to perform video operations on the video frames to detect objects, predict a state of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames and generate the correction signal. The correction signal may be configured to apply a corrective measure based on the predicted state of the vehicle. The state of the vehicle may be predicted when the vehicle is parked in the outdoor environment. The state of the vehicle may comprise factors that prevent driving the vehicle.

A system for automatically controlling a defog/defrost function of a vehicle climate control system includes a controller configured to calculate an ambient dew point temperature value from a plurality of inputs received from a sensor array. The controller is further configured to set a condensation indicator if a calculated difference between a window exterior surface temperature value input received from the sensor array and the calculated ambient dew point temperature value is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. The controller actuates the vehicle climate control system defog/defrost function and/or a window wiper system in response to the set condensation indicator.