Autonomous Transportation Technology

Abstract

To provide a system and a method for autonomous transportation of guests (visitors) and materials in entertainment venues.SOLUTION: An amusement park attraction system includes a plurality of autonomous vehicles configured to accommodate one or more guests and located in an attraction dispatch area. An individual autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle controller including a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions. The instructions are configured to allow the vehicle controller to receive an indication that the individual autonomous vehicle is loaded at capacity within the dispatch area and to prompt autonomous operation of the individual autonomous vehicle from the dispatch area to enter a ride path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 558,749, entitled "Autonomous Transportation Technology," filed September 14, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to autonomous transportation technology. Specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for autonomously transporting guests and materials within an entertainment venue. [Background technology]

[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present technology, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0004] Amusement parks or similar entertainment facilities can move people and goods in various ways within their park environments, which are closed to outside vehicles. However, vehicular transportation within the park is complicated. Greenways are often closed to motor vehicles. While amusement park shuttle buses can operate on set routes within the park, guests may be required to wait for the next shuttle. Furthermore, guests often stay overnight at off-park lodging, which discourages them from making round trips to leave unwanted items behind. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005]

[0013] The following summarizes certain embodiments commensurate with the subject matter of the original claims. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather to provide a brief summary of some disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the disclosure may include a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0006] According to one embodiment, an amusement park attraction system is provided that includes a ride path for the amusement park attraction and an attraction dispatch area separated from the ride path. The system also includes a plurality of autonomous vehicles configured to accommodate one or more guests and disposed within the attraction dispatch area. Each autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle controller including a memory that stores instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions, the instructions being configured to cause the vehicle controller to receive an indication that the respective autonomous vehicle is fully loaded within the dispatch area and to prompt autonomous operation of the respective autonomous vehicle from the dispatch area to enter the ride path.

[0007] According to another embodiment, an amusement park transportation system is provided that includes an autonomous vehicle configured to accommodate one or more guests and a controller configured to communicate with the autonomous vehicle, the controller including a memory that stores instructions and a processor configured to execute instructions that cause the controller to access a reservation time or return time of a guest at an attraction within the amusement park, identify or access the location of the guest within a predetermined time frame prior to the reservation time or return time, command the autonomous vehicle to travel to the location, communicate an alert to a guest device associated with the autonomous vehicle, receive an indication from the autonomous vehicle that the guest is on or in the autonomous vehicle, and, after receiving the instruction, command the autonomous vehicle to travel to the attraction with the guest.

[0008] In another embodiment, an amusement park transportation system is provided that includes an autonomous vehicle that holds a guest's belongings, and a controller configured to communicate with the autonomous vehicle, the controller including a memory that stores instructions and a processor that is configured to execute instructions that cause the controller to: receive a request from a guest for the belongings, identify or access the guest's location, instruct the autonomous vehicle to travel to the location, communicate an alert to the guest associated with the autonomous vehicle, and receive an indication that the guest has retrieved the belongings.

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park including an autonomous vehicle transportation system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of an autonomous vehicle transportation system according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an autonomous vehicle guest transportation technique according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an autonomous vehicle attraction ride technique according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park attraction operating with autonomous vehicle attraction ride technology, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an attraction autonomous vehicle adaptive path technique, according to aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park attraction operating with autonomous vehicle adaptive path technology, according to aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes one or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure. In the interest of brevity in describing these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described herein. It is understood that the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, requires numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made to achieve the developer's particular objectives, including compliance with system- and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. Moreover, it is understood that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Furthermore, to the extent specific terms, such as parallel and perpendicular, are used in the present disclosure, it is understood that these terms allow for departures from their strict mathematical definitions and account for departures related, for example, to manufacturing imperfections and associated tolerances.

[0012] Provided herein is an autonomous vehicle transportation system in which guests at numerous locations dispersed throughout a resort or area can access transportation system landings with interactive devices, functionally similar to elevator call buttons, that provide input(s) to a control system that dispatches autonomous vehicles to landings for the guests. Individual autonomous vehicles can also be equipped with on-board input devices that allow guests to select a destination and be taken there via a 2D / 3D elevator model. Requests can be made from call buttons or devices at fixed locations or via personal or distributed mobile devices. Thus, as shown herein, autonomous vehicles can be used to transport guests within areas such as amusement parks that are generally closed to outside vehicles. In contrast to autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles traveling on roads open to the general public, transportation within closed areas such as theme parks can be performed according to different considerations. Specifically, such closed areas are generally limited in size and relatively well mapped, allowing for less complex processing and navigation capabilities to reside on the autonomous vehicles. Additionally, such vehicles may operate according to a combination of predetermined rule-based behaviors based on desired entertainment stories and routes, and user-driven behaviors, which may allow for, for example, selection of destinations and / or input into the route traveled by the autonomous vehicle.

[0013] In another embodiment, the disclosed technology configures autonomous vehicles to travel directly to a user's location, either passively or actively. In one example, if a guest has a reservation or return time, the autonomous vehicles track the guest's location while the guest is enjoying other entertainment opportunities. The autonomous vehicles arrive at the guest's location in advance (e.g., within a predetermined time frame before the guest's turn to board a ride) regardless of whether the guest has requested vehicle transportation. In one embodiment, the autonomous vehicles can be themed ride vehicles with a theme that matches the ride for the guest's reservation or return time. In this way, guests can easily distinguish their assigned autonomous vehicle from other autonomous vehicles. The system can send an alert or message to the user informing them that the autonomous vehicle is en route to the guest's current location or to one or more fixed boarding locations designated for boarding the autonomous vehicle. Furthermore, themed ride vehicles can be dispersed throughout the amusement park and programmed to only head to rides or areas related to the vehicle's theme upon boarding. As an example, if a guest sees farm animal-themed vehicles, they may board any such vehicle and be transported to the petting zoo area of ​​the amusement park without providing any user input or commands.

[0014] The technology provides autonomous vehicles that travel along predetermined or partially predetermined paths from landings to destinations, interacting with sets, scenery, and mechanized equipment according to a guest experience delivery plan or stored guest profile. This interaction can include dynamic interaction with show systems mounted on similar autonomous transport material handling devices. The autonomous vehicle transport systems can be commanded to encounter show or interaction equipment that is also capable of autonomous driving.

[0015] In other embodiments, the autonomous vehicle transport system may be configured to operate as a three-dimensional mini-elevator (e.g., delivering goods to guest rooms) or as a traveling locker that arrives to collect (and later redeliver) guest belongings based on requests from mobile devices or call stations, etc.

[0016] In other embodiments, an autonomous vehicle transportation system can be configured such that individual autonomous vehicles operate as general-purpose ride vehicles capable of transporting guests between rides, while also serving as ride vehicles themselves so that guests do not need to board or disembark from the vehicles between rides. It can be advantageous for autonomous vehicles to be able to support passengers when configured as ride and / or guest transportation vehicles. In some embodiments, autonomous vehicles can also or alternatively be deployable or dockable towing elements, which can be advantageous, for example, when a passenger cabin must bear significant track-mounted motion base loads that a towing unit would not otherwise have to bear.

[0017] In other embodiments, an autonomous vehicle transportation system can be configured as a distributed station system that facilitates boarding and disembarking of amusement ride guests. Such embodiments can be implemented with autonomous ride vehicles that are at least partially disengaged from the ride environment during the boarding / disembarking phase, thereby allowing them to roam the boarding area and / or the larger amusement park area, seeking guests until each vehicle is filled to capacity. In another embodiment, the autonomous ride vehicles are parked in one or more boarding areas separate from the ride itself. Each autonomous ride vehicle can enter the ride path once it has filled to capacity, so that each vehicle within the ride is more efficiently boarded, as opposed to traditional first-in, first-out boarding systems. Furthermore, such embodiments can be implemented in a variety of spaces and areas, providing flexibility in ride design to allow for a relatively small ride footprint and low ride infrastructure costs.

[0018] In other embodiments, the autonomous vehicle transportation system can be configured to automatically set up and remove props for special events and shows. For example, autonomous vehicles can be employed to set up temporary stages and then tear them down for road shows. Each autonomous independent vehicle can dynamically reconfigure to navigate around malfunctioning show equipment or malfunctioning ride vehicles, including moving show equipment out of the way. Ride vehicle intelligence can also reside on the ride vehicle, not necessarily in a master controller. Autonomous vehicles can also make intelligent decisions independently based on onboard sensors. However, in some embodiments, ride vehicle commands can be provided by a central controller.

[0019] To this end, features of the autonomous transportation system illustrated herein can be used in conjunction with the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park 10 in which guests 12 can interact with an autonomous vehicle transportation system 14 through interaction with a guest device 20, such as a mobile device or an active wearable device (e.g., a bracelet, a watch, etc.). The amusement park 10 includes multiple destinations or attractions 22 (shown as 22a-i). If a guest 12 wishes to be transported to a particular attraction 22, they can request transportation by, for example, entering a request on a guest device interface. In some embodiments, the guest device 20 can include an application or specialized software package for interacting with a controller 24. The application is stored on the guest device 20 and configured to receive information from the controller 24 to provide to the guest 12. The application is also configured to provide user input and other information (e.g., GPS data) to the controller 24 as needed.

[0020] The controller 24 communicates with one or more autonomous vehicles 26 (e.g., as part of a fleet of autonomous vehicles) dispersed throughout the amusement park 10 and capable of traveling along a route 27 within the amusement park 10. The controller 24 can direct individual vehicles 26 to travel to and pick up users based on user input or a user schedule and guest locations. The autonomous vehicle transportation system 14 can also include vehicle call stations 30 having, for example, call buttons 32 or other user input devices.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram of certain components of autonomous vehicle transportation system 14. It should be understood that the components shown may include additional software or hardware elements. Furthermore, the components shown may duplicate and / or replace functionality of various disclosed hardware or software elements.

[0022] System 14 can be configured to operate at least in part through instructions from controller 24, which can include memory 40 that stores instructions executable by processor 42 to perform the methods and control operations described herein. Processor 42 can include one or more processing devices, and memory 40 can include one or more tangible, non-transitory machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to hold or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by processor 42 or a dedicated or programmed computer or other machine having a processor. Controller 24 can also be configured to include communications circuitry 44, such as a transceiver or other communications device, for communicating with one or more other components of system 14 via wired and wireless communication paths.

[0023] In one embodiment, communication between the controller 24 and the guest devices 20 occurs at least in part over a wireless network. While these components are described in the context of the system 14, it should be understood that the guest devices 20 can include similar functionality, such as a processor 50, a display 52, a user input device 54, a memory 56, and wireless communication circuitry 58. In one embodiment, the guest devices 20 interact with the system through operation of an application stored on the guest's mobile device 20 and communicating with the system 14, which application may include navigation or guidance functionality that allows a user to select an attraction 22 and summon or request autonomous vehicle transportation. Additionally, the guest devices 20 may be configured to provide user location information (e.g., GPS information accessed from a GPS chip in the guest device 20 or a user location determined by cellular base station communication). The user location information 64 may include tracking location information as the user moves throughout the amusement park. In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle transportation system 14 is configured to request periodic (e.g., every 10 seconds) location updates. In some embodiments, the guest devices 20 may provide the user location information automatically. In one embodiment, guest location information may be determined based on multiple sources of location data. For example, GPS information may provide a rough estimate of a guest's location, while more precise location information may be estimated from LIDAR and / or facial recognition via image sensors within the amusement park 10.

[0024] As described above, the autonomous vehicle transportation system 14 may include one or more autonomous vehicles 26 including a motor 60 and a power source 62, such as a battery, solar panels, a generator, a gas engine, or any combination thereof. The operation of the motor 60 may be controlled by a vehicle controller 70 including a memory 72 and a processor 74 configured to operate any onboard logic to control the path or progression of the controlled vehicle. For example, the vehicle may respond to local environmental inputs via one or more onboard sensors 75. The vehicle controller 70 may control the motor 60 to adjust its output to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle 26. The vehicle controller 70 may also control the brakes to slow or stop the vehicle 26. Furthermore, the vehicle controller 70 may operate according to commands from a passenger via a user input interface or user input 73 or from the controller 24 via communications circuitry 80. In some embodiments, the autonomous vehicle 26 may be an autonomous mobile robot configured to include a customized or interchangeable top module. Accordingly, the top module may be interchangeable depending on the implementation of the autonomous vehicle 26. For example, if the autonomous vehicle 26 is provided as a personal locker or roaming dumb waiter, the top module may include one or more lockers compatible with guest identification signals. The autonomous vehicle 26 may store images and / or navigation files of the amusement park 10 in memory 72 so that it can use the processor 74 of the vehicle controller 70 to perform navigation and execute on-board logic. The sensors 75 may include one or more cameras, laser scanners, and / or ultrasonic scanners that provide input to the vehicle controller 70 to execute turning or navigation commands to avoid obstacles. Additionally, the sensors 75 may include one or more readers configured to receive biometric input (e.g., fingerprint, facial image) or wireless signals from the guest device 20 to confirm the presence of the guest 12 and / or provide guest verification data.In some embodiments, autonomous vehicle 26 may receive a guest identification code or guest identification information, which may then be passed to controller 24 to verify that the guest aboard autonomous vehicle 26 is the correct guest. Once verified, controller 24 may transmit an authentication / verification signal that allows autonomous vehicle 26 to continue on its route.

[0025] The autonomous vehicle transportation system 14 may also include one or more call stations 30 that can facilitate user input via call buttons or other user input devices 32, which are further communicated to the controller 24 via communications circuitry 84 to call the vehicle 26 to the location of the fixed call station 30.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 90 for autonomous vehicle guest transportation technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the method 90 accesses a guest reservation time or return time for a particular attraction 22 (see FIG. 1) at block 92. The reservation time or return time may be stored in a controller (e.g., controller 24, see FIG. 2), which further communicates with various components of the autonomous vehicle transportation system 14 (see FIG. 2). If the reservation time or return time is within a specific time frame (e.g., 45 minutes from return time, 15 minutes from return time), the guest location is identified or accessed at block 94. In one embodiment, when a guest interacts with the system 14 using a guest device 20 (see FIG. 2), GPS information is pulled from a GPS chip in the guest device 20. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the GPS information provides a rough estimate of the guest location, and other techniques, such as radio beacon triangulation with the guest device 20, facial recognition date from the amusement park, or light detection and ranging (LIDAR), are used in addition to GPS to more precisely identify the guest location. Once the guest location is identified, in block 96, an autonomous vehicle is dispatched to the guest location. Because the guest may be traveling, instructions can be sent from the controller 24 to the guest device 20 to notify the guest that transportation is in progress and suggest a pickup location. In one embodiment, the autonomous vehicle is automatically dispatched in a passive manner based on existing attraction reservation or return times and the guest location, so that the guest does not need to arrange transportation. However, if the controller 24 determines that the guest is within a distance threshold of an attraction 22 that is deemed relatively close to the attraction (e.g., within 200 feet), the controller 24 may not dispatch the autonomous vehicle. Additionally, the guest may receive an alert and decline the transportation offer. The controller 24 may communicate with the park's autonomous vehicle fleet to dispatch the nearest available vehicle. In another embodiment, the controller 24 selects an autonomous vehicle thematically matching the attraction 22 of interest to direct to the guest for transportation, so that the guest can easily notice the autonomous vehicle.

[0027] After the guest boards the autonomous vehicle (block 98), the system 14 receives an indication that the guest is in or on the autonomous vehicle. This indication may occur via onboard sensors (pressure / weight sensors, cameras, light sensors) of the autonomous vehicle or via communication between the guest's guest device 20 and the autonomous vehicle's wireless communication circuitry, such as via NFC communication that transmits guest identification information to the controller 24 to perform guest verification. Once the guest is confirmed to be on board, in block 100, the system 14 commands the autonomous vehicle to proceed to the attraction 22. In some embodiments, the system 14 may update an existing reservation time or return time based on the autonomous vehicle's progress toward the attraction 22. If the autonomous vehicle is delayed, the existing reservation time or return time is updated to reflect the subsequent estimated arrival of the guest.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 110 for autonomous vehicle attraction ride technology, for example, for an amusement park ride. A fleet of autonomous vehicles disperses throughout an area, such as an entire amusement park or a distribution area of ​​an attraction (block 112). The autonomous vehicles collect guests from the area who are entering the attraction, and when an individual autonomous vehicle provides an indication to system 14 (e.g., controller 24, see FIG. 2 ) that it is full or has reached guest capacity (114), it is commanded to return to the ride's distribution area (block 116) or ultimately enter the attraction or ride as a ride vehicle (block 118). In this manner, one or more autonomous ride vehicles can travel through an area of ​​an amusement park looking for attraction guests. For example, if an attraction is short of guests, an autonomous ride vehicle can serve to collect guests at the attraction.

[0029] In another embodiment, one or more autonomous vehicles may operate within a dispatch area of ​​an attraction to facilitate more efficient guest boarding. For example, one or more autonomous vehicles may be implemented as autonomous ride vehicles that operate according to onboard logic to navigate between a guest boarding area and the attraction. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park attraction 22 operating with autonomous vehicle attraction boarding technology. Guests 12 enter the attraction 22 through a dispatch area 120 where they board and disembark an autonomous vehicle 26. The dispatch area 120 may correspond to a ride waiting area with pre-show elements, where guests 12 are free to move around. In contrast to typical ride boarding procedures in which guests board ride vehicles on a first-in / first-out basis upon joining the ride, in the illustrated embodiment, the autonomous vehicle 26 is released or separated from a ride entry location 124.

[0030] For example, autonomous vehicles 26 may roam or be dispersed throughout the distribution area 120, or may be located in vehicle parking areas 122 within the distribution area 120. Guests 12 may board individual autonomous vehicles 26 within the distribution area 120 at will, without necessarily having to wait in line. In this manner, numerous guests 12 may board autonomous vehicles 26 simultaneously from both sides, a procedure that would be more difficult with traditional boarding procedures. Furthermore, such a configuration may enhance guest comfort and enjoyment, allowing guests 12 to enjoy pre-attraction elements of their own choosing. In one embodiment, guests 12 travel through the distribution area 120 at their own pace and walk to the parking area 122 when they are ready to board an autonomous vehicle 26. In another embodiment, guests 12 travel through the distribution area 120 and board the nearest autonomous vehicle 26 at their convenience. The autonomous vehicles 26 may operate according to onboard logic that facilitates vehicle dispersion within the distribution area. For example, individual autonomous vehicles 26 may travel through the dispatch area 120 and wait for guests only at a minimum distance (e.g., at least 10 feet) from other autonomous vehicles 26. In this manner, autonomous vehicles 26 are programmed to be distributed throughout the dispatch area, thereby preventing overcrowding of guests during rides.

[0031] Once fully loaded, the vehicles 26 are programmed to autonomously navigate along an adaptive path (i.e., using onboard control logic to avoid dynamic obstacles, such as guests 12 or other vehicles 26) to the ride entry location 124 to enter the attraction 22. For example, as shown, a fully loaded autonomous vehicle 26b may navigate from the dispatch area 120 directly into the attraction 22, serving both as transportation to the attraction 22 and as the ride vehicle itself. Additionally, the onboard control logic and / or a central controller (e.g., controller 24; see FIG. 2 ) may adjust vehicle capacity thresholds depending on ride conditions. If the attraction 22 is relatively empty with few waiting guests 12, the autonomous vehicle 26 may be dispatched to the ride entry location 124 even when the attraction 22 is only half-loaded, such as less than 100% capacity. In another embodiment, the autonomous vehicles 26 may be programmed to enter the ride path 130 via the ride entry location 124 at a generally relatively steady rate to achieve a particular throughput of vehicles and / or guests 12. Thus, the next vehicle to be dispatched may be determined based on rules that weight the distance to the vehicle entry location and the occupancy rate (guests 12 already on board as a percentage of available seats in each autonomous vehicle 26) to determine which vehicle to dispatch next to the vehicle entrance 124. In another embodiment, the autonomous vehicles 26 may display available seats to encourage guests to board autonomous vehicles that are not fully filled.

[0032] Within the ride environment 125 of the attraction 22, one or more ride elements 126 may be distributed along a ride path 130. The autonomous vehicles 26 may be programmed to generally travel along the ride path 130. However, onboard control logic may allow for deviations from the ride path 130, as generally described in FIGS. 6-7 . The autonomous vehicles 26 may be programmed to interact with certain features of the ride path 130 (e.g., special effect locations 132). In one example, the special effect locations 132 may track the vehicle features 134 of individual autonomous vehicles 26d to facilitate motion effects at predetermined locations within the ride environment 125. In this manner, trackless autonomous vehicles 26 may be configured to produce specific motion effects. Upon completion of the ride path 130, individual autonomous vehicles 26, such as autonomous vehicle 26e, exit the ride environment of the attraction 22 and re-enter the distribution area 120 to pick up new guests 12.

[0033] As described above, the autonomous vehicle 26 can enable dynamic and adaptive transportation within amusement parks and attractions to avoid obstacles, enable efficient maintenance, and vary the ride experience. For example, the disclosed autonomous vehicle 26 can allow the ride path to flow in and out of more controlled ride environments as desired. In this manner, the ride experience can extend to one or more locations within the amusement park before returning to a more controlled, conventional ride environment. Furthermore, the ride path can be adjusted based on changing ride conditions, even within the ride environment.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an attraction autonomous vehicle adaptive path method 140 executed within an attraction. In the illustrated guest transportation embodiment, the method 140 begins upon the presence of a guest in an individual autonomous vehicle, identified, for example, by sensors or other guest tracking capabilities (block 142), which further triggers the autonomous vehicle's progression along a predetermined ride path within the attraction (block 144). However, it should be understood that the autonomous vehicles 26 illustrated herein may also travel along adaptive paths regardless of whether a guest is present. The presence of a change in conditions within the attraction, such as a vehicle malfunction, a malfunction of an attraction element, or overcrowding at a particular location, can trigger a determination that a deviation from expected ride conditions has occurred. One or more autonomous vehicles 26 within the attraction receive this indication (block 146) and are directed to avoid the area associated with the deviation by adjusting their navigation onto a new path (block 148). The new path can then return to the predetermined ride path once the deviation has been successfully avoided (block 150).

[0035] The autonomous vehicles disclosed herein can dynamically adapt to changing vehicle conditions or edge cases, such as vehicle failures. For example, a vehicle failure in a tracked or trackless vehicle operating with traditional vehicles can bring the entire vehicle to a halt when the failed vehicle blocks the track or space. An autonomous vehicle implemented as a ride vehicle as described herein can navigate around obstacles so that a vehicle failure has less impact on the entire vehicle. Because the control logic resides on the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle responds to obstacles in real time. For example, the autonomous vehicle can deviate from its path to avoid another stuck vehicle. In another example, if a misbehaving guest strays into the ride path, the autonomous vehicle can navigate around the guest, preventing the entire ride from coming to a halt.

[0036] In one example, the vehicle generally follows a predetermined path but can also operate around edge cases (broken vehicles, obstacles). As shown herein, autonomous vehicles 26 can be implemented as smart vehicles within attractions 22 and ride environments 158. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park attraction operating with autonomous vehicle adaptive path technology. In the illustrated example, guest 12a in autonomous vehicle 26a inadvertently drops an object 158 ​​into the ride environment external to autonomous vehicle 26a, causing a ride delay by bringing the entire ride to a halt while an operator removes the obstacle created by object 158 ​​from the ride environment. However, in the illustrated embodiment, an autonomous vehicle 26, such as autonomous vehicle 26b behind obstacle 158, dynamically adjusts away from the predetermined path indicated by arrow 160 to follow an alternative path indicated by arrows 162a, 162b.

[0037] While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

[0038] The technology shown and claimed herein refers to and applies to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that will materially improve the art, and thus are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Furthermore, where any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," such elements are to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Conversely, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, such elements are not to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. 1. An autonomous vehicle, comprising: a vehicle controller including a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions, the instructions causing the vehicle controller to: receiving an indication that the autonomous vehicle is occupied while the autonomous vehicle is within a dispatch area; prompting autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle to enter a vehicle route from the dispatch area based on the instruction; configured to cause the the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to space itself a predetermined distance from other autonomous vehicles in the distribution area until receiving the instruction. An autonomous vehicle characterized by:

2. the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to move along an adaptive path adapted to avoid dynamic obstacles and enter the vehicle path. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

3. An autonomous vehicle, a vehicle controller including a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions, the instructions causing the vehicle controller to: receiving an indication that the autonomous vehicle is occupied while the autonomous vehicle is within a dispatch area; prompting autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle to enter a vehicle route from the dispatch area based on the instruction; configured to cause the the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to loiter within the dispatch area until receiving the instruction. Autonomous vehicles.

4. the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel an adaptive path adapted to avoid dynamic obstacles to the dispatch area after traversing the vehicle path. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

5. the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel to the dispatch area after traversing the vehicle route. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

6. the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel along an adaptive path adapted to avoid dynamic obstacles. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

7. the vehicle controller is configured to identify a vehicle failure of the autonomous vehicle and cause the autonomous vehicle to exit the vehicle path. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

8. the vehicle controller is configured to identify one or more obstacles along the vehicle path and cause the autonomous vehicle to temporarily exit the vehicle path to avoid the one or more obstacles. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

9. the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to move to a location on the vehicle path where one or more features of an attraction track one or more complementary features of the autonomous vehicle, thereby causing a predetermined effect on the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

10. the vehicle controller is configured to cause the autonomous vehicle to travel along an at least partially predetermined route according to a guest experience delivery plan or a guest profile. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

11. the indication is received when the autonomous vehicle is at a vehicle occupancy threshold. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

12. the vehicle capacity threshold is less than full capacity; The autonomous vehicle of claim 11 .

13. the vehicle occupancy threshold is adjustable; The autonomous vehicle of claim 11 .

14. the vehicle capacity threshold is adjusted based on the number of waiting guests for the attraction; 14. The autonomous vehicle of claim 13.

15. the instructions are based on a determination of the next autonomous vehicle based on rules for determining a next autonomous vehicle to be dispatched in the vehicle route; The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

16. the autonomous vehicle is a trackless autonomous vehicle; The autonomous vehicle of claim 1 .

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