SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING OBJECTS WITHIN A VEHICLE

Methods and systems are provided for detecting objects within a vehicle. A sensor monitors an interior of the vehicle and generates sensor data. A detection module detects objects in the interior of the vehicle based on the sensor data. An action module takes an action based on the objects detected in the interior.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to object detection systems, and more particularly relates to methods and systems for detecting extraneous objects in a vehicle using a sensor.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle rental, vehicle sharing, ride sharing, and the development of autonomous vehicles allows for individuals to share or rent time using a vehicle without vehicle ownership. This in turn allows for rental companies to maximize vehicle uptime and for users to enjoy the benefits of vehicle transportation without ownership. Currently, vehicle renting and sharing companies have staffed rental centers where cars are turned in, inspected, cleaned, and made ready for the next user. However, this business model is shifting towards one where vehicles may be parked in a lot and rapidly turned around to another user without being inspected by a human. This is more convenient for users as they can simply walk up and use a vehicle while also being more cost effective for companies by reducing overhead.

However, as with any publically used space or item, users may inadvertently leave objects in the vehicle, create a mess for the next user, or damage a portion of the vehicle. Likewise, an owner or operating company needs ways to ensure that the interior of the vehicle will be in good condition for the next user, alert the previous user of any items left behind, and identify any vehicles in need of cleaning or repair.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods for detecting objects in a vehicle. It is additionally desirable to compare a state of the vehicle interior before and after use to allow for the identification of any changes to the vehicle interior. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are provided for detecting objects within a vehicle. In one non-limiting example, a system for detecting objects within a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a sensor that is configured to monitor an interior of the vehicle and generate sensor data. The system further includes, but is not limited to, a detection module that is configured to detect objects in the interior of the vehicle based on the sensor data. The system further includes, but is not limited to, an action module that is configured to take an action based on the objects detected in the interior.

In another non-limiting example, a system for detecting objects within a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a remote server. The system further includes, but is not limited to, a sensor that is configured to monitor an interior of the vehicle and generate sensor data. The system further includes, but is not limited to, a telematics control unit that is configured to transmit the sensor data to the server and take an action. The remote server identifies objects in the interior of the vehicle based on the sensor data and transmits an action instruction to the telematics control unit based on the objects identified in the interior.

In another non-limiting example, a method is provided for detecting objects within a vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to, capturing sensor data of an interior of the vehicle with a sensor. The method further includes, but is not limited to, detecting objects in the interior of the vehicle based on the captured sensor data. The method further includes, but is not limited to, taking an action based on the objects detected in the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIG. 1, there is shown a non-limiting example of a communication system10that may be used together with examples of the apparatus/system disclosed herein or to implement examples of the methods disclosed herein. Communication system10generally includes a vehicle12, a wireless carrier system14, a land network16and a call center18. It should be appreciated that the overall architecture, setup and operation, as well as the individual components of the illustrated system are merely exemplary and that differently configured communication systems may also be utilized to implement the examples of the method disclosed herein. Thus, the following paragraphs, which provide a brief overview of the illustrated communication system10, are not intended to be limiting.

Vehicle12may be any type of mobile vehicle such as a motorcycle, car, truck, recreational vehicle (RV), boat, plane, etc., and is equipped with suitable hardware and software that enables it to communicate over communication system10. Some of the vehicle hardware20is shown generally inFIG. 1including a telematics unit24, a microphone26, a speaker28, and buttons and/or controls30connected to the telematics unit24. Operatively coupled to the telematics unit24is a network connection or vehicle bus32. Examples of suitable network connections include a controller area network (CAN), a media oriented system transfer (MOST), a local interconnection network (LIN), an Ethernet, and other appropriate connections such as those that conform with known ISO (International Organization for Standardization), SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), and/or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards and specifications, to name a few.

The telematics unit24is an onboard device that provides a variety of services through its communication with the call center18, and generally includes an electronic processing device38, one or more types of electronic memory40, a cellular chipset/component34, a wireless modem36, a dual mode antenna70, and a navigation unit containing a GNSS chipset/component42. In one example, the wireless modem36includes a computer program and/or set of software routines adapted to be executed within electronic processing device38.

The telematics unit24may provide various services including: turn-by-turn directions and other navigation-related services provided in conjunction with the GNSS chipset/component42; airbag deployment notification and other emergency or roadside assistance-related services provided in connection with various crash and/or collision sensor interface modules66and collision sensors68located throughout the vehicle; and/or infotainment-related services where music, internet web pages, movies, television programs, videogames, and/or other content are downloaded by an infotainment center46operatively connected to the telematics unit24via vehicle bus32and audio bus22. In one example, downloaded content is stored for current or later playback. The above-listed services are by no means an exhaustive list of all the capabilities of telematics unit24, but are simply an illustration of some of the services that the telematics unit may be capable of offering. It is anticipated that telematics unit24may include a number of additional components in addition to and/or different components from those listed above.

Vehicle communications may use radio transmissions to establish a voice channel with wireless carrier system14so that both voice and data transmissions can be sent and received over the voice channel. Vehicle communications are enabled via the cellular chipset/component34for voice communications and the wireless modem36for data transmission. Any suitable encoding or modulation technique may be used with the present examples, including digital transmission technologies, such as TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multiple access), W-CDMA (wideband CDMA), FDMA (frequency division multiple access), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access), etc.

Dual mode antenna70services the GNSS chipset/component42and the cellular chipset/component34.

Microphone26provides the driver or other vehicle occupant with a means for inputting verbal or other auditory commands, and can be equipped with an embedded voice processing unit utilizing a human/machine interface (HMI) technology known in the art. Conversely, speaker28provides audible output to the vehicle occupants and can be either a stand-alone speaker specifically dedicated for use with the telematics unit24or can be part of a vehicle audio component64. In either event, microphone26and speaker28enable vehicle hardware20and call center18to communicate with the occupants through audible speech. The vehicle hardware also includes one or more buttons and/or controls30for enabling a vehicle occupant to activate or engage one or more of the vehicle hardware components20. For example, one of the buttons and/or controls30can be an electronic pushbutton used to initiate voice communication with call center18(whether it be a human such as advisor58or an automated call response system). In another example, one of the buttons and/or controls30can be used to initiate emergency services.

The audio component64is operatively connected to the vehicle bus32and the audio bus22. The audio component64receives analog information, rendering it as sound, via the audio bus22. Digital information is received via the vehicle bus32. The audio component64provides amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) radio, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), and multimedia functionality independent of the infotainment center46. Audio component64may contain a speaker system, or may utilize speaker28via arbitration on vehicle bus32and/or audio bus22.

The vehicle crash and/or collision detection sensor interface66is operatively connected to the vehicle bus32. The collision sensors68provide information to the telematics unit via the crash and/or collision detection sensor interface66regarding the severity of a vehicle collision, such as the angle of impact and the amount of force sustained.

Vehicle sensors72, connected to various sensor interface modules44are operatively connected to the vehicle bus32. Example vehicle sensors include but are not limited to gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, emission detection, and/or control sensors, and the like. Example sensor interface modules44include powertrain control, climate control, and body control, to name but a few.

Wireless carrier system14may be a cellular telephone system or any other suitable wireless system that transmits signals between the vehicle hardware20and land network16. According to an example, wireless carrier system14includes one or more cell towers48

Land network16can be a conventional land-based telecommunications network that is connected to one or more landline telephones, and that connects wireless carrier system14to call center18. For example, land network16can include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and/or an Internet protocol (IP) network, as is appreciated by those skilled in the art. Of course, one or more segments of the land network16can be implemented in the form of a standard wired network, a fiber or other optical network, a cable network, other wireless networks such as wireless local networks (WLANs) or networks providing broadband wireless access (BWA), or any combination thereof.

Call center18is designed to provide the vehicle hardware20with a number of different system back-end functions and, according to the example shown here, generally includes one or more switches52, servers54, databases56, advisors58, as well as a variety of other telecommunication/computer equipment60. These various call center components are suitably coupled to one another via a network connection or bus62, such as the one previously described in connection with the vehicle hardware20. Switch52, which can be a private branch exchange (PBX) switch, routes incoming signals so that voice transmissions are usually sent to either advisor58or an automated response system, and data transmissions are passed on to a modem or other piece of telecommunication/computer equipment60for demodulation and further signal processing. The modem or other telecommunication/computer equipment60may include an encoder, as previously explained, and can be connected to various devices such as a server54and database56. For example, database56could be designed to store subscriber profile records, subscriber behavioral patterns, or any other pertinent subscriber information. Although the illustrated example has been described as it would be used in conjunction with a call center18that is manned, it will be appreciated that the call center18can be any central or remote facility, manned or unmanned, mobile or fixed, to or from which it is desirable to exchange voice and data.

With reference toFIG. 2, there is shown a non-limiting example of a system100for detecting objects110in a vehicle120. It should be appreciated that the overall architecture, setup and operation, as well as the individual components of the illustrated system100are merely exemplary and that differently configured systems may also be utilized to implement the examples of the system100disclosed herein. Thus, the following paragraphs, which provide a brief overview of the illustrated system100, are not intended to be limiting.

The system100for detecting objects110within a vehicle120generally includes a sensor130, and a detection module140, and an action module150. The term “module,” as used herein, generally refers to an electronic component, as is known to those skilled in the art, and is not intended to be limiting. The sensor130is configured to monitor an interior122of the vehicle120and generate sensor data. The detection module140is configured to detect objects110in the interior122of the vehicle based on the sensor data generated by the sensor130. The action module150is configured to take an action based on the objects110detected in the interior122.

Vehicle120may be any type of mobile vehicle such as a car, truck, recreational vehicle (RV), boat, plane, etc., and is equipped with suitable hardware and software that enables it to communicate over the system100. In a non-limiting embodiment of the system100, the sensor130, detection module140, and action module150are onboard the vehicle120and operatively coupled to a vehicle bus124. Examples of suitable vehicle busses124include a controller area network (CAN), a media oriented system transfer (MOST), a local interconnection network (LIN), an Ethernet, and other appropriate connections such as those that conform with known ISO (International Organization for Standardization), SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), and/or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards and specifications, to name a few.

The sensor130is configured to monitor the interior122of the vehicle120and generate sensor data. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor130includes at least one of an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a weight sensor, or a combination thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that while only two sensors130are shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 2, this does not limit the understanding of the system100to only using two sensors130. Additional combinations of sensors130may be used in the system100to provide greater coverage of the interior122of the vehicle120. Likewise, fewer sensors130may be used in the system100according to design parameters specific to the vehicle120in which the system100is implemented.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor data generated by the sensor130is electronically communicated over the bus124. For example, the sensor data may be an image or a plurality of images of the interior122captured by an optical sensor. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the sensor data generated by the sensor130will be particular to the type of sensor130implemented in the system100and should not limit the understanding.

The detection module140is configured to detect objects110in the interior122of the vehicle120based on the sensor data. While the detection module140is depicted as a separate component in the system100ofFIG. 2, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the detection module140may be incorporated into the sensor130itself or alongside another vehicle system such as a vehicle control module without departing from the spirit of the system100. The detection module140uses the sensor data generated by the sensor130to detect objects110in the vehicle120.

In a non-limiting example, the detection module140uses images of the interior122to detect objects110. An object110such as a wallet, purse, mobile device, or other personal effect left by a user of the vehicle120may be identified by the detection module140using the sensor data. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the manner in which an object110is detected by the detection module140depends on the type of sensor130used in the system100. Many methods for identifying features, outliers, inconsistencies, etc., in various forms of sensor data are known and are contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, the detection module140may use digital feature matching to identify an object110that stands out from its surroundings, such as a wallet left on a seat or a cell phone left in a cup holder.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the detection module140is configured to detect a change in the interior122of the vehicle120. In addition to identifying objects110left behind by a user, the system100may additionally identify changes in the interior122such as interior damage, a stain, or other differences. In a non-limiting embodiment, the detection module140compares a steady state interior of the vehicle120with a present state interior of the vehicle120. For example, the steady state interior of the vehicle120is an image of the interior122before a user begins using the vehicle120while the present state interior of the vehicle120is an image of the interior122immediately after the user stops using the vehicle120. In this way, the detection module140can detect ways in which the user changes the interior122of the vehicle120. While a comparison of images was used in the non-limiting example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other comparisons with before and after data obtained from different types of sensors, as detailed above, is contemplated by the present disclosure.

The action module150is configured to take an action based on the objects110detected in the interior122. While the action module150is depicted as a separate component in the system100ofFIG. 2, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the action module150may be incorporated into the sensor130, the detection module140, or alongside another vehicle system such as a vehicle control module without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. The action module150takes an action based on the objects110detected by the detection module140.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the action taken by the action module150includes at least one of a user notification, a horn action, a light action, an owner notification, a route action, or a combination thereof. In a non-limiting example, the system100detects that a user has left a wallet in the interior122of the vehicle120and the action module150takes an action. The system100may send a notification to the user's mobile device, honk the horn of vehicle120, flash the lights of vehicle120, or otherwise attempt to alert the user.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the system100transmits the user notification to the user's mobile device is via Bluetooth protocol, a text message, a multimedia message, a near field communication, or a combination thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the system100will accordingly be configured with a transceiver or the like to allow for the user notification to be communicated via the chosen protocol. In this way, the system100brings attention to the user before the user leaves the vicinity of the vehicle120or another user uses the vehicle120. Accordingly, the action module150is in communication with vehicle systems over the bus124in order to take the action.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the action module150notifies the vehicle owner of the detected object110. In the event that the system100was unable to alert the user using the notifications detailed above, notifying the vehicle owner provides yet another way of communicating that an object110was left in the vehicle120.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the action includes a route action to alter a route of the vehicle120. In a non-limiting example, the route action allows the vehicle120to be routed to a location to drop off objects110left behind in the vehicle120or to receive cleaning based on a change in the interior122, as detailed above. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle120is an autonomous vehicle and the route action allows the vehicle120to be directed to autonomously proceed to the location.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the system100further includes a telematics control unit160configured to report detected objects110to a remote server170. The term “server,” as used herein, generally refers to electronic component, as is known to those skilled in the art, such as a computer program or a machine that waits for requests from other machines or software (clients) and responds to them. As detailed above, the telematics control unit160is in communication with various vehicle systems over the bus124, such as the sensor130, detection module,140, and action module150. When an object is detected by the system100, the telematics control unit160reports the object110to the remote server170. Once the object110has been reported to the remote server170, an email or other form of electronic communication may be dispatched by the remote server170to further notify the user or the owner.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the telematics control unit160is configured to adjust a route of the vehicle120based on the action from the action module150. For example, when the action module150takes an action to route the vehicle120to a location to be serviced or cleaned, the telematics control unit160interfaces with an onboard navigation system (not shown) or navigation from the remote server170to route the vehicle120to the location. In this way, the telematics control unit160may be used to improve the routing of the vehicle120when a routing action is taken.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the telematics control unit160is configured to transmit the user notification to the user's mobile device is via Bluetooth protocol, a text message, a multimedia message, a near field communication, or a combination thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the telematics control unit160will accordingly be configured with a transceiver or the like to allow for the user notification to be communicated via the chosen protocol. In this way, the telematics control unit160brings attention to the user before the user leaves the vicinity of the vehicle120or another user uses the vehicle120.

With reference now toFIG. 3and with continued reference toFIG. 2, there is shown a non-limiting example of a system200for detecting objects210in a vehicle220. It should be appreciated that the overall architecture, setup and operation, as well as the individual components of the illustrated system200are merely exemplary and that differently configured systems may also be utilized to implement the examples of the system200disclosed herein. Thus, the following paragraphs, which provide a brief overview of the illustrated system200, are not intended to be limiting. As similar components are used in the system200relative to the system100, similar reference numerals will be used and the description of system200will focus on the differences relative to the system100.

The system200for detecting objects210in a vehicle220generally includes a sensor230, a telematics control unit260, and a remote server270. The sensor230is configured to monitor an interior222of the vehicle220and generate sensor data. The telematics control unit260is configured to transmit the sensor data to the remote server270and take an action. The remote server270is configured to identify objects210in the interior222of the vehicle220based on the sensor data and transmit an action instruction to the telematics control unit based on the objects210identified in the interior222.

Relative to system100, in system200the sensor data is transmitted to the remote server270and the remote server270identifies the objects210and provides instructions to the telematics control unit260. In this way, the system200provides an embodiment in which the identification of objects210and selection of an action are handled by the remote server270.

Vehicle220may be any type of mobile vehicle such as a car, truck, recreational vehicle (RV), boat, plane, etc., and is equipped with suitable hardware and software that enables it to communicate over the system200. In a non-limiting embodiment of the system200, the sensor130and telematics control unit160are onboard the vehicle220and operatively coupled to a vehicle bus224. Examples of suitable vehicle busses224include a controller area network (CAN), a media oriented system transfer (MOST), a local interconnection network (LIN), an Ethernet, and other appropriate connections such as those that conform with known ISO (International Organization for Standardization), SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), and/or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards and specifications, to name a few.

The sensor230is configured to monitor the interior222of the vehicle220and generate sensor data. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor230includes at least one of an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a weight sensor, or a combination thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that while only two sensors230are shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 3, this does not limit the understanding of the system200to only using two sensors230. Additional combinations of sensors230may be used in the system200to provide greater coverage of the interior222of the vehicle220. Likewise, fewer sensors230may be used in the system200according to design parameters specific to the vehicle220in which the system200is implemented.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor data generated by the sensor230is electronically communicated over the bus224to the telematics control unit260. For example, the sensor data may be an image or a plurality of images of the interior222captured by an optical sensor. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the sensor data generated by the sensor230will be particular to the type of sensor230implemented in the system200and should not limit the understanding.

The telematics control unit260is configured to transmit the sensor data to the remote server270and take an action. As detailed above, the telematics control unit260is in communication with various vehicle systems over the bus224, such as the sensor230. In the embodiment of the system200, the telematics control unit260transmits the sensor data to the remote server270. The telematics control unit260is further configured to take an action, similar to the action module150from system100.

The remote server270is configured to detect objects210in the interior222of the vehicle220based on the sensor data. In a non-limiting example, the remote server270uses images of the interior222to detect objects210. An object210such as a wallet, purse, mobile device, or other personal effect left by a user of the vehicle220may be identified by the remote server270using the sensor data. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the manner in which an object210is detected by the remote server270depends on the type of sensor230used in the system200. Many methods for identifying features, outliers, inconsistencies, etc., in various forms of sensor data are known and are contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, the remote server270may use digital feature matching to identify an object210that stands out from its surroundings, such as a wallet left on a seat or a cell phone left in a cup holder.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the remote server270is configured to detect a change in the interior222of the vehicle220. In addition to identifying objects210left behind by a user, the system200may additionally identify changes in the interior222such as interior damage, a stain, or other differences. In a non-limiting embodiment, the remote server270compares a steady state interior of the vehicle220with a present state interior of the vehicle220. For example, the steady state interior of the vehicle220is an image of the interior222before a user begins using the vehicle220while the present state interior of the vehicle220is an image of the interior222immediately after the user stops using the vehicle220. In this way, the remote server270can detect ways in which the user changes the interior222of the vehicle220. While a comparison of images was used in the non-limiting example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other comparisons with before and after data obtained from different types of sensors, as detailed above, is contemplated by the present disclosure.

The remote server270transmits an action instruction to the telematics control unit260based on the objects210identified in the interior222of the vehicle220. In a non-limiting embodiment, the action induced by the action instruction includes at least one of a user notification, a horn action, a light action, an owner notification, a route action, or a combination thereof. In a non-limiting example, the system200detects that a user has left a wallet in the interior222of the vehicle220and the telematics control unit260receives an action instruction to take an action. The system200may send a notification to the user's mobile device, honk the vehicle's220horn, flash the vehicle's220lights, or otherwise attempt to alert the user.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the system200transmits the user notification to the user's mobile device is via Bluetooth protocol, a text message, a multimedia message, a near field communication, or a combination thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the system200will accordingly be configured with a transceiver or the like to allow for the user notification to be communicated via the chosen protocol.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the telematics control unit260is configured to transmit the user notification to the user's mobile device is via Bluetooth protocol, a text message, a multimedia message, a near field communication, or a combination thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the telematics control unit160will accordingly be configured with a transceiver or the like to allow for the user notification to be communicated via the chosen protocol. In this way, the system200brings attention to the user before the user leaves the vicinity of the vehicle220or another user uses the vehicle220. Accordingly, the telematics control unit260is in communication with vehicle systems over the bus224in order to take the action.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the system200notifies the vehicle owner of the detected object210. In the event that the system200was unable to alert the user using the notifications detailed above, notifying the vehicle owner provides yet another way of communicating that an object210was left in the vehicle220. The remote server270may further transmit a mobile notification to a mobile device to alert the user and the owner of the object210left in the vehicle220.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the action taken by the telematics control unit260includes a route action to alter a route of the vehicle220. In a non-limiting example, the route action allows the vehicle220to be routed to a location to drop off objects210left behind in the vehicle220or to receive cleaning based on a change in the interior222, as detailed above. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle220is an autonomous vehicle and the route action allows the vehicle220to be directed to autonomously proceed to the location. As detailed above, the telematics control unit260may interface with an onboard navigation system (not shown) or navigation from the remote server270to route the vehicle220to the location. In this way, the telematics control unit260may be used to improve the routing of the vehicle220when a routing action is taken.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the remote server270remote server transmits the action instruction based upon a predetermined event. Non-limiting examples of predetermined events include a predetermined time period, a predetermined number of uses, a predetermined number of users, a predetermined occurrence, or a combination thereof. For example, the remote server270may instruct the telematics control unit260to route the vehicle220to a car wash when the vehicle220has traversed dirt roads, after it rains, or every week. In this way, the action taken by the telematics control unit260may be controlled and modified by the action instruction from the remote server270.

Referring now toFIG. 4, and with continued reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, a flowchart illustrates a method300performed by the systems100,200for detecting objects within a vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure. As can be appreciated in light of the disclosure, the order of operation within the method300is not limited to the sequential execution as illustrated inFIG. 4, but may be performed in one or more varying orders as applicable and in accordance with the requirements of a given application.

In various exemplary embodiments, the systems100,200and method300are run based on predetermined events, and/or can run continuously during operation of the vehicle120,220. The method300starts at310with capturing sensor data of an interior122,222of the vehicle120,220with a sensor130,230. At320, the method300detects objects110,210in the interior of the vehicle120,220based on the captured sensor data. At330, the method300takes an action based on the objects110,210detected in the vehicle120,220. The method300then proceeds to310detect additional objects110,210as necessary.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the system100,200further includes a telematics control unit160,260and a remote server170,270. In a non-limiting embodiment, after310, the method300proceeds to340and the telematics control unit160,260transmits the sensor data to the remote server170,270. At350, the telematics control unit160,260receives an action instruction from the remote server170,270. At360, the method300takes the action based on the action instruction then proceeds to310to detect addition objects110,210as necessary.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the method300adjusts a route of an autonomous vehicle control system based on the action instruction, as detailed above. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method300transmits a mobile notification to a mobile device based on the objects110,210detected in the vehicle120,220. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sensor130,230includes an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, a weight sensor or a combination thereof. In a non-limiting embodiment, the action includes a user notification, a horn action, a light action, an owner notification, a route action, or a combination thereof.