Patent ID: 9481367
Filing Date: 2016-11-01
CPC Classification: B60W,G05D

Claim Text:
1. A computer-implemented method for causing a self-driving vehicle (SDV) to avoid a physical encounter with an animal, the computer-implemented method comprising: capturing, by one or more sensors on the self-driving vehicle (SDV), a description of an environment around the animal that the SDV is approaching; capturing, by a camera, an image of the animal that the SDV is approaching; determining, by an SDV on-board computer, a species of the animal based on the captured image of the animal; predicting, by the SDV on-board computer, a direction and speed of movement of the animal based on the determined species of the animal and the captured description of the environment around the animal; determining, by the SDV on-board computer, a probability of a physical encounter (E) between the SDV and the animal exceeding a predefined confidence value (C) based on the predicted direction of movement of the animal and a current speed and direction of movement of the SDV; in response to determining, by the SDV on-board computer and based on the predicted direction and speed of movement of the animal and the current speed and direction of the SDV, that E is greater than C, the SDV on-board computer instructing an SDV control processor on the SDV to direct SDV vehicular physical control mechanisms on the SDV to adjust the current speed and direction of movement of the SDV, thereby reducing a likelihood of the SDV striking the animal; predicting, by the SDV on-board computer and based on the predicted direction and speed of movement of the animal, a length of time that the animal will block a pathway of the SDV; and in response to the predicted length of time exceeding a predetermined value, stopping, by the SDV on-board computer, the SDV and turning off, by the SDV on-board computer, an engine in the SDV.