Method and control system for shielding meteorological phenomena using an autonomous vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and control system for shielding a meteorological phenomenon over a drivable road area using an autonomous vehicle and a motor vehicle having the control system. The method includes determining whether to shield the drivable road area from the meteorological phenomenon, and autonomously driving the vehicle over the drivable road area to at least partially cover the drivable road area to protect it from the meteorological phenomenon. In addition, the method includes determining whether to expose the drivable road area, and autonomously driving the vehicle away from the drivable road area to expose the drivable road area.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10-2018-220362.8, filed on November 27, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a method and a control system for shielding meteorological phenomena using an autonomous vehicle, and more particularly, to a method and a control system for shielding snow using an autonomous vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Today's motor vehicles are increasingly connected with sensors and telematics devices to enable advanced autonomous driving features. For example, a vehicle may include multiple sensors and various technologies for acquiring data from the environment, for example, to provide accurate detection of other vehicles, pedestrians, the road ahead and / or behind, weather, etc. Typical technologies used for this purpose include radar, laser, lidar, infrared, ultrasonic, camera, stereo vision, computer vision, range finding, accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, etc. In order to produce a more consistent, accurate and useful view of the environment, a variety of such sensors may be installed on the vehicle, and the information from these sensors may be combined within the sensor system.

[0005] Snow is a common weather phenomenon in many parts of the world and often places a heavy burden on traffic management and road safety. For example, snow often makes roads slippery for pedestrians and vehicles. In some countries, homeowners must ensure that the sidewalks in front of their houses are snow-free, which means that they must clear the sidewalks themselves or hire professional clearing services. Snow can further make it difficult to exit underground garages, especially if there is a high slope at the entrance / exit.

[0006] The technology developed in the related art teaches a system that includes a processor configured to receive parking space environmental characteristics from a vehicle parked in the parking space. The processor is further configured to download weather data for the area where the parking space is located for the duration of the vehicle being parked. The weather data is then associated with the received environmental characteristics to generate a parking space environmental profile for a period of time, and the parking space model is updated based on the environmental profile. However, there remains a need to find solutions for protecting selected areas from meteorological phenomena in an effortless and effective manner. In particular, there remains a need to find solutions for keeping these types of areas snow-free. Summary of the invention

[0007] Thus, the present invention provides a method for shielding against meteorological phenomena, particularly snow, using an autonomous vehicle.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method may include: determining whether a drivable road area is to block meteorological phenomena; autonomously driving a vehicle above the drivable road area so that the vehicle at least partially covers the drivable road area to protect it from the impact of meteorological phenomena; determining whether the drivable road area is to be exposed; and autonomously driving the vehicle to leave the drivable road area to expose the drivable road area.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a control system for using an autonomous vehicle to block meteorological phenomena (particularly snow) may include: an autonomous driving unit configured to autonomously drive a vehicle; and a decision unit configured to determine whether a drivable road area is to block the meteorological phenomenon, and in that case prompt the autonomous driving unit to drive the vehicle above the drivable road area so that the vehicle at least partially covers the drivable road area to protect it from the influence of the meteorological phenomenon, and to determine whether the drivable road area is to be exposed, and in that case prompt the autonomous driving unit to drive the vehicle away from the drivable road area to expose the drivable road area.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle may include a control system according to the invention. In particular, the invention uses autonomous vehicles to shield against meteorological phenomena, in particular snow, by parking them above certain areas to keep these areas from being affected by snow, hail, wind, etc. For example, when snow is about to fall and / or has already begun, unused autonomous vehicles can (at least temporarily) be driven above these areas. The vehicles can be moved away at the end of the snowfall. At the same time, the snow will accumulate on the vehicle and thus will not affect the ground below the vehicle.

[0011] Therefore, the road surface area covered by the vehicle will be kept snow-free in a simplified manner. In a specific example, an autonomous vehicle parked in a parking lot or parking space adjacent to a sidewalk can (autonomously) move from the parking lot to the sidewalk to protect the sidewalk from the snow. Other areas of interest include house entrances and / or exits, ramps of (underground) garages, etc. When several autonomous vehicles are available, vehicles such as trucks and / or SUVs, etc., covering the largest road surface area, can be used. In addition, several vehicles can be parked together or continuously (e.g., front and back or side by side) as close as possible to produce a larger coverage range, and the gaps between vehicles are minimal. Even according to the present invention, vehicles can be rented and / or shared to provide snow protection functions, for example, unused car sharing vehicles can be used to keep sidewalks snow-free throughout the city.

[0012] The invention makes it possible to keep critical areas free of snow in winter in a time- and cost-effective manner and also increases road safety on a general level. Furthermore, the invention can be used for other applications, for example, to keep specific road surface markings free of snow. In principle, the invention can be used to keep drivable road surface areas free of snow and, for example, also to shield specific areas from rain, sun, hail, wind or other meteorological phenomena. The invention enables an integrated shielding function in rented and / or shared vehicles to avoid various weather influences.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include: determining, by a determination unit of the vehicle, whether a meteorological phenomenon is occurring in the drivable road area and / or whether a meteorological phenomenon is about to occur in the drivable road area. Therefore, the decision unit may be configured to prompt the autonomous driving unit to drive the vehicle above the drivable road area. The method may further include: determining, by a determination unit, whether the meteorological phenomenon in the drivable road area is over. Therefore, the decision unit may be configured to prompt the autonomous driving unit to drive the vehicle out of the drivable road area. The determination unit may be used to determine whether a meteorological phenomenon is occurring in the drivable road area and / or whether a meteorological phenomenon is about to occur in the drivable road area.

[0014] In one specific example, the determination unit may be configured to determine whether snow is falling in the drivable road area and / or whether snow is about to fall in the drivable road area. The determination unit may also be configured to determine whether snow has stopped falling in the drivable road area. However, alternatively or additionally, the driver may also be able to provide a command to activate the "snow block" function of the vehicle, for example, via a smartphone and / or a driver interface of the vehicle, regardless of whether snow and / or other meteorological phenomena are about to occur and / or are occurring. Similarly, the driver may access the vehicle via a remote control device or the like and request that the vehicle return to the original parking position, for example, via a smartphone.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include: determining, by a determination unit, whether another vehicle and / or traffic participant is approaching a drivable road area and / or conveying an intention to pass through the drivable road area. Therefore, the determination unit may be configured to determine whether another vehicle and / or traffic participant is approaching a drivable road area and / or conveying an intention to pass through the drivable road area. When another vehicle and / or traffic participant intends to pass through the drivable road area, the decision unit may be configured to prompt the autonomous driving unit to partially or completely drive the vehicle out of the drivable road area. When other vehicles and / or traffic participants have passed through the drivable road area, the vehicle may return to above the drivable road area.

[0016] For example, when a pedestrian intends to pass through the drivable road area (e.g., a sidewalk) covered by the vehicle, the vehicle can move away autonomously to partially or completely expose the drivable road area. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the vehicle may have been initially positioned, for example, to cover only a portion of the drivable road area, so that the pedestrian can pass through without subsequently repositioning the vehicle.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may use a sensor system configured to detect meteorological phenomena, other vehicles and / or traffic participants. Meteorological phenomena may include snow, hail, rain, sun, wind, etc. For example, snow may be detected by onboard sensors, such as cameras, radars, lidars, rain sensors (e.g., in combination with temperature sensors). Another vehicle and / or traffic participant (e.g., pedestrian) may be detected by a camera, radar, lidar, microphone (e.g., by detecting walking sounds, voice, etc.) and / or by a system configured to sense proximity to a smart phone, etc.

[0018] However, the determination unit may further use meteorological data and / or environmental data. Furthermore, the determination unit may use vehicle-to-vehicle communication and / or environment-to-vehicle communication. Thus, even sensor systems of other vehicles and / or based on the overall environment may be used to detect meteorological phenomena, other vehicles and / or other traffic participants, whose information is then transmitted to the vehicle. Typically, the determination unit may be configured to determine other trigger conditions and / or reasons that necessitate the vehicle to partially or completely leave the drivable road area. For example, the door of a neighboring vehicle may need to be opened directly. Additionally, on-board sensors such as ultrasonic sensors may be used to detect corresponding events.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensor system may be further configured to determine a curb height within the drivable surface area. Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may be configured to determine whether the curb height is greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, the vehicle may be moved above the drivable surface area without sustaining any damage, for example, where the curb is very high. The curb threshold may be defined based on the chassis clearance of the vehicle. When the determined curb height is greater than the threshold, the vehicle may be prohibited from moving on the curb.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle may include a sensor system configured to detect meteorological phenomena (in particular snow), vehicles and / or traffic participants. The sensor system may be configured to determine the height of the curb within the drivable road surface area. The sensor system may be kept snow-free by heating the sensor system using the vehicle's heating system. The sensor system may be further kept snow-free by cleaning the sensor system with a cleaning device of the vehicle. In order to ensure proper sensing functionality of the respective sensors when snowing, the relevant sensors (e.g., camera sensors) should be kept snow-free. The present invention provides several possible solutions to keep the sensors free of snow. For example, the sensors and / or the area around the sensors may be heated to melt any snow that falls on the sensors and may obscure the sensors.

[0021] Similarly, cleaning devices such as windshield wipers can be used to clean the area around and / or in front of the sensor. Other options for keeping the sensor free of snow include covering the sensor area with a specific coating that is configured to block snow. Another option includes placing the sensor in a dedicated area where snow cannot fall and / or where snow cannot adhere to the vehicle, i.e. an area where the sensor is thus protected from snow due to the sensor arrangement.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the decision unit can be configured to take into account priority information of the vehicle, including tire quality, tire type, drive type, fuel level, battery level and / or coverage area, etc. When multiple autonomous vehicles are available in the same area, the vehicle with the highest priority can be used first. The priority can be based on the available priority information of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle with winter / snow tires, four-wheel drive and / or a greater tread depth may be preferred. Alternatively or additionally, fuel and / or battery levels may be considered when making decisions between different vehicles. In addition, vehicles that cover the largest road surface area, such as trucks and / or SUVs, etc., can be used. The coverage area of ​​the corresponding vehicle can be matched to the size of the drivable road surface area.

[0023] In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the drivable road surface area may include a sidewalk, a building entrance / exit area, a parking area, and / or a garage / parking space entrance / exit area. For example, an autonomous vehicle can travel from a parallel parking space to a sidewalk / road surface to cover the sidewalk, thereby blocking snow. In another example, an autonomous vehicle can travel forward or backward from a parking space perpendicular to the sidewalk. In yet another example, an autonomous vehicle parked in a garage and / or a parking space can move out of the garage / parking space and park on a sidewalk, for example, in front of the entrance / exit of a building. In another example, an autonomous vehicle can move from an underground garage to the sidewalk in front of the corresponding building or to the inclined exit / entrance of the garage. In this particular example, the vehicle can be used to cover the entrance / exit of the garage, thereby blocking snow.

[0024] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present invention. Other exemplary embodiments of the present invention and many of the expected advantages of the present invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. In the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals represent the same or functionally similar components.

[0026] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates a control system for blocking snow over a drivable road area using an autonomous vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Schematically illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including Figure 1 The control system of the vehicle;

[0028] Figure 3 Showing road surface areas during snowing and no snowing of the present invention according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 The use of an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 1 A flow chart of a method for using an autonomous vehicle to block snow using a control system; and

[0030] Figures 5 to 10 The exemplary embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figures 1 to 4 Various exemplary applications of the systems and methods.

[0031] Although specific exemplary embodiments are shown and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various alternative and / or equivalent embodiments may be used to replace the specific exemplary embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. In general, this application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific exemplary embodiments discussed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-related" or other similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles; watercraft including various boats and ships, and aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels from non-petroleum resources). As mentioned herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with two or more power sources, such as gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.

[0033] However, the vehicle according to the invention also includes a combination of a motor vehicle and a non-motor vehicle, in particular a trailer or the like towed by a powered vehicle. For example, a powered vehicle can autonomously tow a non-powered trailer above a drivable surface area in order to shield the area from snow. Subsequently, the vehicle can detach the trailer and leave it above the drivable surface area. Later, for example after the snowfall has ended, the vehicle can return, reconnect to the trailer and move it away. Thus, in the present invention, a trailer can be combined with a powered vehicle capable of repositioning the trailer to shield the snow.

[0034] Although the exemplary embodiments are described as using multiple units to perform the exemplary processes, it should be understood that the exemplary processes can also be performed by one or more modules. In addition, it should be understood that the term controller / control unit refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store the modules, and the processor is specifically configured to execute the modules to perform one or more processes described further below.

[0035] In addition, the control logic of the present invention may be embodied as a non-transitory computer-readable medium on a computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, a controller / control unit, etc. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disk (CD)-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage device. The computer-readable medium may also be distributed in a network-connected computer system so that the computer-readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed manner, such as by a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0036] The terms used herein are only used to illustrate specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "a kind of" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates. It is further understood that when "including" and / or "comprising" are used in this specification, it refers to the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0037] Figure 1 Schematically illustrating the use of an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, for example Figure 2 1 and 2 , an autonomous vehicle 10 is shown controlling system 7 for blocking snow on a drivable road area 8 . Figure 3 The present invention is shown with respect to a road area 8 during snowing and non-snowing periods. Figure 4 Show use Figure 1 The control system 7 uses Figure 2 The corresponding method M of the autonomous vehicle 10 blocking snow. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the control system 7 and the method M can be configured in other exemplary embodiments to block the drivable road area 8 to block other meteorological phenomena besides snow removal, including but not limited to rain, hail, sun, wind, etc.

[0038] In particular, the control system 7 of the vehicle 10 may include a sensor system 1 configured to detect falling snow 9 at least in a drivable road area 8. However, it will be clear to the skilled person that the sensor system 1 may be configured to detect falling snow 9 in a sensing area that is larger than the drivable road area 8. The sensor system 1 may further be configured to detect other vehicles and traffic participants, such as pedestrians etc. Thus, the sensor system 1 may include a variety of different sensor technologies as they are used in modern motor vehicles, in particular in assisted and / or autonomous driving systems.

[0039] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The specific example of the sensor system 1 shown in the figure may include a front camera 1a and a 360° viewfinder camera system, which includes a plurality of individual cameras 1b arranged at several positions on the vehicle 10. The sensor system 1 may further include several radars 1c and ultrasonic sensors 1d. However, depending on the current specific application, the technician can provide the motor vehicle 10 with other sensors. In addition, different sensor technologies and arrangements can be used, such as lidar, laser scanners, temperature sensors, infrared sensors, etc. The various sensors 1a-d can be communicatively connected (e.g. in parallel) to the sensor controller 1e of the sensor system 1. The connections described will be understood in a purely schematic manner.

[0040] The control system 7 may further include a determination unit 2 configured to determine whether snow is falling on the drivable road area 8 and / or whether snow is about to fall within the drivable road area 8. The determination unit 2 may also be configured to determine whether snowfall has ended. Therefore, the determination unit 2 may be coupled to the sensor controller 1e of the sensor system 1 and configured to analyze information recorded by the sensor system 1. For example, the snow 9 may be detected by a camera 1a, 1b and / or a radar 1c of the vehicle 10. In particular, the determination unit 2 may be operated by a controller within the vehicle.

[0041] Furthermore, the determination unit 2 may be configured to determine whether at least one of another vehicle and a traffic participant is approaching the drivable road area 8 and / or communicates an intention to pass through the drivable road area 8. This may be determined using the cameras 1a, 1b and / or the radar 1c of the sensor system 1 of the vehicle 10. In addition, however, the determination unit 2 may use meteorological and / or environmental data provided via a communication device 4 communicatively coupled to the determination unit 2. The determination unit 2 may also be configured to communicate with other vehicles and / or the environment via the communication device 4 to request and / or receive information about the snow conditions and approaching vehicles and / or traffic participants.

[0042] The determination unit 2 may be configured to determine whether the curb height is greater than a predetermined threshold to avoid damage to the vehicle 10 during a potential repositioning process (see below). The sensor system 1 may thus be configured to determine the curb height within the drivable road surface area 8. The ultrasonic sensor 1d of the sensor system 1 may be used, for example, to determine the curb height.

[0043] The control system 7 may further include: an autonomous driving unit 6 configured to autonomously drive the vehicle 10; and a decision unit 3 configured to determine whether the drivable road surface area 8 is to remain snow-free. The autonomous driving unit 6 and the decision unit 3 may also be operated by a controller. In particular, the decision unit 3 may be configured to prompt the autonomous driving unit 6 to drive the vehicle 10 above the drivable road surface area 8 to at least partially cover the drivable road surface area 8, thereby protecting it from the snow 9. The decision unit 3 may be further configured to determine whether the drivable road surface area 8 is to be exposed, for example, when the snowfall ends, the shielding function is no longer needed. Then, the decision unit 3 may be configured to prompt the autonomous driving unit 6 to drive the vehicle 10 away from the drivable road surface area 8 to expose the drivable road surface area 8.

[0044] Furthermore, the control system 7 may include a driver interface 5 configured to display relevant information for the driver and to receive input from the driver, for example, in case the driver wants to take over control of the vehicle 10. The determination unit 2, the decision unit 3, the communication device 4, the autonomous driving unit 6 and other components of the control system 7 may be part of a telematics and / or computing system of the motor vehicle 10 for autonomous driving.

[0045] Furthermore, the control system 7 may include a heating system 11 and a cleaning system 12 , both configured to remove snow 9 from the vehicle 10 , in particular from the sensor system 1 . Figure 3 Show according to Figure 1 The basic principle of the control system 7. Without using the control system 7, the drivable road area 8 may be covered with snow 9 during snowfall ( Figure 3 Depending on where the drivable road area 8 is located, this may be considered disadvantageous. For example, when the drivable road area 8 is covered and / or is a sidewalk 8a ( Figure 5 ) part, the sidewalk 8a may become slippery due to snow.

[0046] However, when the vehicle 10 equipped with the control system 7 detects that snow 9 has fallen on the drivable road area 8, the vehicle 10 can be configured to at least partially autonomously drive over the drivable road area 8, thereby shielding the area from the falling snow 9 ( Figure 3 After the snowfall stops, the vehicle 10 can be configured to autonomously drive back to the original position so that there is no snow 9 in the drivable road area 8 ( Figure 3 For example, any vehicle 10 parked near or adjacent to the drivable road area 8 can be used to cover the drivable road area 8.

[0047] Figure 4 The corresponding method M may include determining, under determination at M0, whether snow is falling on the drivable road area 8 and / or whether snow is about to fall in the drivable road area 8 by the determination unit 2. The method M may further include determining, under determination at M1, whether the drivable road area 8 is to remain snow-free by the decision unit 3, and under determination at M2, in response to determining that the drivable road area 8 is to remain snow-free, autonomously driving the vehicle 10 by the autonomous driving unit 6 above the drivable road area 8 to at least partially cover the drivable road area 8, thereby protecting it from the influence of the snow 9.

[0048] The method M may further include determining, at M3, whether snowfall on the drivable road area 8 has stopped by the determination unit 2, and determining, at M3', whether another vehicle and / or traffic participant is approaching the drivable road area 8 and / or conveying an intention to pass through the drivable road area 8 by the determination unit 2. In both cases, the method M may further include determining, at M4, whether to expose the drivable road area 8 by the decision unit 3, and at M5, autonomously driving the vehicle 10 by the autonomous driving unit 6 to leave the drivable road area 8 to expose the drivable road area.

[0049] Figures 5 to 10 Show Figures 1 to 4 Various exemplary applications of the systems and methods.

[0050] Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 1 , autonomous vehicle 10 is parked in parking area 8 c parallel to and adjacent to road 21 on a first side and sidewalk or pavement 8 a in front of building 20 on a second side, the latter having building entrance / exit area 8 b ( Figure 5 When the vehicle 10 detects snow, the vehicle 10 can autonomously turn from the parking area 8c to the sidewalk 8a, especially the building entrance / exit area 8b ( Figure 5 on the right side of the ).

[0051] In particular, the vehicle 10 can be positioned so that the building entrance / exit area 8b is covered by the vehicle 10 from the snow, and thus, the building entrance / exit area 8b will remain snow-free during any further snowfall. Before and / or during the repositioning maneuver, the determination unit 2 can be configured to detect whether the curb height is less than a predetermined threshold value to avoid any damage to the vehicle 10. If another vehicle and / or pedestrian or other traffic participant intends to pass through the building entrance / exit area 8b during this period, the vehicle 10 can autonomously drive back to the original position or another parking position in the parking area 8c and / or the sidewalk 8a. Figure 7 Another example is shown where the vehicle 10 is positioned only to partially cover the building entrance / exit area 8b, while its left side remains in the parking area 8c. This situation makes it easier for pedestrians to pass through.

[0052] Figure 6 A corresponding example for a bay parking scenario is shown, where multiple autonomous vehicles 10 are parked in a direction perpendicular to the sidewalk 8a. In this example, the vehicles 10 can move backward or forward to cover the sidewalk 8a ( Figure 6 to the right of the parking space) to protect it from the snow. Figure 5 In contrast to the example of Figure 5In the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 10 requires space in the front and / or rear to be repositioned.

[0053] Alternatively, and similar to Figure 7 , the vehicle 10 may only partially move onto the sidewalk 8a ( Figure 8 ) to leave room for pedestrians on the sidewalk 8a. It will be clear to the skilled person that a number of repositioning scenarios can be implemented in which one or more vehicles 10 are repositioned individually or collectively. The vehicles 10 can be positioned as close together as possible, for example, one after the other or side by side, to create greater coverage with minimal gaps between the vehicles 10. In addition, only the largest autonomous vehicles 10 available nearby, such as trucks and / or SUVs, etc., can be used.

[0054] Fig. 9 An example is shown of an autonomous vehicle 10 parked in a garage / parking space 22 of a building 20. When the vehicle 10 is needed to keep out the snow, the vehicle 10 can be moved from the garage 22 onto the sidewalk 8a, for example, within the building entrance / exit area 8b. Also in this example, curb height determination can be used to minimize the risk of damage to the vehicle 10 during the repositioning process. After the snowfall ends, the vehicle 10 can be moved back to the garage 22. In particular, a dedicated gutter and / or drain can be provided within the garage 22 that drains the water generated by the melting snow in a controlled manner.

[0055] Fig.10 is an example of an underground garage 22 beneath a building 20, which has a garage entrance / exit 8d with a steeper slope. Therefore, in this example, it is particularly important to keep the garage entrance / exit 8d free of snow. Therefore, several autonomous vehicles 10 from the garage 22 and / or outside (e.g., parking area 8a) can be repositioned to cover the slope of the garage entrance / exit 8d during snowfall. As in Fig. 9 As shown in the example of , a gutter and / or drain may be provided in the garage 22 to direct any melt water. In one exemplary approach, vehicles 10 that have been parked in the garage 22 for the longest time, i.e., vehicles 10 that are used less frequently than other vehicles, may be used for this purpose.

[0056] In the above detailed description, various features are combined together in one or more examples or examples for the purpose of simplifying the present disclosure. It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents. After reading the above description, many other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0057] The exemplary embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various exemplary embodiments with various modifications as are suitable for the particular use contemplated. Many other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above description.

[0058] Description of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1: Sensor system

[0060] 1a, 1b: Camera

[0061] 1c: Radar

[0062] 1d: Ultrasonic sensor

[0063] 1e: Sensor Controller

[0064] 2: Determine the unit

[0065] 3: Decision-making unit

[0066] 4: Communication device

[0067] 5: Driver Interface

[0068] 6: Autonomous driving unit

[0069] 7: Control system

[0070] 8: Driving area

[0071] 8a: Sidewalk

[0072] 8b: Building entrance / exit areas

[0073] 8c: Parking area

[0074] 8d: Garage / parking space entrance / exit

[0075] 9: snow

[0076] 10: Vehicles

[0077] 11: Heating system

[0078] 12: Cleaning system

[0079] 20: Buildings

[0080] 21: Road

[0081] 22: Garage / Parking Space

[0082] M: Method

[0083] M0-M5: Methods and Steps

Claims

1. A method for shielding a meteorological phenomenon over a drivable road area using an autonomous vehicle, comprising the following steps: Determining, by a control system, whether the meteorological phenomenon is occurring in the drivable road area, and whether the meteorological phenomenon is about to occur in the drivable road area; When it is determined that the meteorological phenomenon is occurring in the drivable road area or is about to occur in the drivable road area, determining, by the control system of the vehicle, whether to shield the drivable road area from the meteorological phenomenon; When it is determined that the drivable road area needs to be shielded from the meteorological phenomenon, the control system autonomously drives the vehicle above the drivable road area to at least partially cover the drivable road area, so that the drivable road area is not affected by the meteorological phenomenon; determining, by the control system, whether the meteorological phenomenon has stopped in the drivable road area; as well as determining, by the control system, whether at least one of another vehicle and a traffic participant is approaching the drivable road area or conveying an intention to pass through the drivable road area; When it is determined that the meteorological phenomenon has stopped in the drivable road area and it is determined that at least one of another vehicle and a traffic participant is approaching the drivable road area or conveys an intention to pass through the drivable road area, determining by the control system whether to expose the drivable road area; as well as When it is determined that the drivable road area is to be exposed, autonomously driving the vehicle to leave the drivable road area through the control system to expose the drivable road area; The control system's determination process uses at least one of the following: detecting at least one of meteorological phenomena, other vehicles, and traffic participants by a sensor system in the vehicle; Meteorological data; Environmental data; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and Environment-Vehicle Communications, Wherein, the sensor system is kept free of snow by at least one of the following processes: heating the sensor system using a heating system of the vehicle; and Clean the sensor system using a cleaning device of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The control system is configured to take into account priority information of the vehicle, the priority information comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of: tire mass, tire type, drive type, fuel level, battery level, and coverage area.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The drivable road area includes at least one selected from the following: a sidewalk, a building entrance / exit area, a parking area, and a garage / parking space entrance / exit area. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system is configured to determine a curb height within the drivable surface area.

5. A control system for shielding meteorological phenomena over a drivable road area using an autonomous vehicle, comprising: an autonomous driving unit configured to autonomously drive the vehicle; a decision unit configured to determine that when a meteorological phenomenon is to be shielded from the drivable road area, prompt the autonomous driving unit to drive the vehicle above the drivable road area to at least partially cover the drivable road area, so that the drivable road area is not affected by the meteorological phenomenon; and configured to, when it is determined that the drivable road area is to be exposed, prompt the autonomous driving unit to drive the vehicle away from the drivable road area to expose the drivable road area; as well as a determination unit configured to: determine whether the meteorological phenomenon is occurring in the drivable road area, and whether the meteorological phenomenon is about to occur in the drivable road area; The determining unit is further configured to determine whether the meteorological phenomenon has stopped in the drivable road area, and whether at least one of another vehicle and a traffic participant is approaching the drivable road area or conveys an intention to pass through the drivable road area. Wherein, the determining unit is configured to use at least one of the following: detecting at least one of meteorological phenomena, other vehicles, and traffic participants by a sensor system in the vehicle; Meteorological data; Environmental data; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and Environment-Vehicle Communications, Wherein, the sensor system is kept free of snow by at least one of the following processes: heating the sensor system using a heating system of the vehicle; and Clean the sensor system using a cleaning device of the vehicle.

6. The control system according to claim 5, wherein: The decision unit is configured to consider priority information of the vehicle, the priority information comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of: tire quality, tire type, drive type, fuel level, battery level, and coverage area.

7. The control system according to claim 6, wherein: The drivable road area includes at least one selected from the following: a sidewalk, a building entrance / exit area, a parking area, and a garage / parking space entrance / exit area.

8. A motor vehicle having a control system according to claim 5.

9. A motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein: The sensor system is configured to determine a curb height within the drivable surface area.

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