Patent ID: 9086481
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: G01C,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving a set of spatial points obtained using a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device associated with a vehicle, wherein the spatial points are indicative of locations of reflective surfaces in an environment of the vehicle; identifying in the set of spatial points a plurality of target points that correspond to a target surface of a target vehicle, wherein the target surface is a front surface or a rear surface of the target vehicle; identifying, in the plurality of target points, a first point indicative of a first location on the target surface, wherein the first point was obtained by the LIDAR device at a first time; identifying, in the plurality of target points, a second point indicative of a second location on the target surface, wherein the second point was obtained by the LIDAR device at a second time; determining an offset between the first location and the second location, wherein determining the offset between the first location and the second location comprises: determining a time difference between the first time and the second time; and determining, by a computing device, an estimate of a speed of the target vehicle based on the offset divided by the time difference and the direction of motion of the LIDAR device.