A detection device configured to be arranged on a motor vehicle includes at least one bracket construction for mounting on a front of the motor vehicle. The at least one bracket construction has at least one detection element for detecting a road topography in the direction of travel in front of the motor vehicle under a water surface to detect obstacles or a water depth.

A method is disclosed for vehicular operation on a road comprising a road network configured to communicate with one or more vehicles on the road, the method comprising sending a signal from a first vehicle to the road network, the signal comprising an intended path of the first vehicle on the road; receiving the signal at the road network; and adjusting at least one of a speed and a path of a second vehicle with respect to the road in response to the signal.

The present invention pertains to the development of a ground autonomous ambulance that is designed to follow routes that is comprised of an autonomous vehicle that includes a drive by wire kit, a database storing the collection routes, a database of rules of the road and/or other legal allowable behavior, sensors for detecting the pedestrians, cars, and other road obstacles, and a control system that controls the vehicle to follow routes and which is capable of carrying and securing a stretcher or wheelchair. The autonomous ambulance also has a robotic stretcher which is used for transporting patients from their residences or other emergency locations to the ambulance.

Various technologies described herein pertain to sharing of detection of active emergency vehicles within an autonomous vehicle fleet. Information specifying detection of an active emergency vehicle at a first location in an environment is received. The active emergency vehicle is detected based upon sensor inputs of a first autonomous vehicle in an autonomous vehicle fleet. A second autonomous vehicle, at a second location, in the autonomous vehicle fleet is identified as being approached by the active emergency vehicle based on the information specifying the detection of the active emergency vehicle at the first location and the second location of the second autonomous vehicle. A remote assistance session for the second autonomous vehicle is caused to be initiated based on the second autonomous vehicle being identified as being approached by the active emergency vehicle. The second autonomous vehicle is controllable by a remote operator during the remote assistance session.

An autonomous vehicle includes a detection system for identifying the presence of authorities or emergency vehicles on a road, such as law enforcement vehicles, fire engines, fire trucks, police officers, first responders, traffic cones, flares, etc. The detection system may include audio and visual detection system dedicated to the detection of authorities. Additionally, systems that correlate the detected authorities and/or any audible or visual instructions given by the authorities to changes in the behavior of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may react to the detected authorities or emergency vehicles by determining a driving related operation to safely operate around the detected authorities or emergency vehicles.

Various technologies described herein pertain to sharing of detection of active emergency vehicles within an autonomous vehicle fleet. Information specifying detection of an active emergency vehicle at a first location in an environment is received. The active emergency vehicle is detected based upon sensor inputs of a first autonomous vehicle in an autonomous vehicle fleet. A second autonomous vehicle, at a second location, in the autonomous vehicle fleet is identified as being approached by the active emergency vehicle based on the information specifying the detection of the active emergency vehicle at the first location and the second location of the second autonomous vehicle. A remote assistance session for the second autonomous vehicle is caused to be initiated based on the second autonomous vehicle being identified as being approached by the active emergency vehicle. The second autonomous vehicle is controllable by a remote operator during the remote assistance session.

Various technologies described herein pertain to sharing of detection of active emergency vehicles within an autonomous vehicle fleet. Information specifying detection of an active emergency vehicle at a first location in an environment is received. The active emergency vehicle is detected based upon sensor inputs of a first autonomous vehicle in an autonomous vehicle fleet. A second autonomous vehicle, at a second location, in the autonomous vehicle fleet is identified as being approached by the active emergency vehicle based on the information specifying the detection of the active emergency vehicle at the first location and the second location of the second autonomous vehicle. A remote assistance session for the second autonomous vehicle is caused to be initiated based on the second autonomous vehicle being identified as being approached by the active emergency vehicle. The second autonomous vehicle is controllable by a remote operator during the remote assistance session.

The present invention pertains to the development of a ground autonomous ambulance that is designed to follow routes that is comprised of an autonomous vehicle that includes a drive by wire kit, a database storing the collection routes, a database of rules of the road and/or other legal allowable behavior, sensors for detecting the pedestrians, cars, and other road obstacles, and a control system that controls the vehicle to follow routes and which is capable of carrying and securing a stretcher or wheelchair. The autonomous ambulance also has a robotic stretcher which is used for transporting patients from their residences or other emergency locations to the ambulance.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a recognizer which recognize a surrounding situation of a host vehicle, and a driving controller which controls acceleration/deceleration of the host vehicle on the basis of a recognition result of the recognizer, wherein the driving controller causes the host vehicle to operate in any of a first driving state and a second driving state which has a higher rate of automation or fewer tasks requested with respect to an occupant than the first driving state, and changes a driving state of the host vehicle to the second driving state on the basis of at least one of presence or absence of a recognized following vehicle positioned behind the host vehicle and a following vehicle detection situation when the host vehicle is operating in the first driving state.

A method is disclosed for vehicular operation on a road comprising a road network configured to communicate with one or more vehicles on the road, the method comprising sending a signal from a first vehicle to the road network, the signal comprising an intended path of the first vehicle on the road; receiving the signal at the road network; and adjusting at least one of a speed and a path of a second vehicle with respect to the road in response to the signal.