VEHICLE COMMUNICATION USING AUDIBLE SIGNALS

摘要

The present disclosure relates to enabling an autonomous vehicle operating in a self-driving mode to communicate information about what the vehicle is about to do or is currently doing. For example, one or more processors may maneuver a vehicle in an autonomous or self-driving mode. While maneuvering the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode, a time when the vehicle will begin to accelerate may be determined. A first audible signal may be played through a speaker at a time t seconds before the time when the vehicle will begin to accelerate. While maneuvering the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode, a time when the vehicle will begin to decelerate may also be determined. A second audible signal, different from the first audible signal, may be played through the speaker at the time when the vehicle begins decelerating.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
maneuvering a vehicle, by one or more processors, in an autonomous driving mode; while maneuvering the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode, determining, by the one or more processors, a time when the vehicle will begin to accelerate; beginning to play, by the one or more processors, a first audible signal through a speaker at a time t seconds before the determined time in the future when the vehicle will begin to accelerate, where t is greater than 0, wherein the first audible signal is played such that a first object in the vehicle's external environment is provided with an indication that the vehicle intends to accelerate; while maneuvering the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode, determining, by the one or more processors, a time in the future when the vehicle will begin to decelerate; and beginning to play, by the one or more processors, through the speaker a second audible signal, different from the first audible signal, at a time when the vehicle begins decelerating based on the determined time in the future when the vehicle will begin to decelerate, wherein the second audible signal is played such that a second object in the vehicle's external environment is provided with an indication that the vehicle is currently decelerating.