Automotive drone deployment system

摘要

This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.

主权项

1. A drone deployment system comprising:
an aerial drone in operative communication with a vehicle and being configured to land on, and attach to, the vehicle, the drone comprising a plurality of sensors configured to sense external objects; the vehicle comprising a plurality of sensors including one or more leading sensors configured to sense external objects leading the vehicle, a communications interface configured to send information to and receive information from the aerial drone, and processor(s) configured to: determine a vehicle speed; estimate a leading sensing range of the one or more leading sensors; determine a desired leading sensing range of the one or more leading sensors based on the determined vehicle speed; compare the estimated leading sensing range with the desired leading sensing range; command the drone to detach from the vehicle and fly based on the comparison.