Audio Pulse TNC Trip Detection for Insurance Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ridesharing with transportation network companies (TNCs) poses risks for drivers, as personal auto policies often do not cover TNC use, leading to uninsured trips and potential liabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system that detects TNC trips using on-board audio signals to determine vehicle occupancy and operation patterns, transmitting locationing pulses and receiving data to identify TNC trips, and offers insurance endorsements or quotes to ensure coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If personal auto policies are used for TNC trips, then drivers can operate vehicles for ridesharing services, but coverage is not provided for TNC use leading to uninsured trips and potential liabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of TNC trips using audio signals and location data before insurance coverage issues arise. By identifying TNC operations in advance through passenger detection and trip pattern analysis, the system enables proactive insurance coverage verification and endorsement application, preventing uninsured operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor vehicle usage patterns, detect TNC trips, verify insurance coverage status, and notify drivers of coverage gaps. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures drivers are aware of their coverage status and can take corrective action before operating without appropriate insurance
2Reliability
If TNC trips are detected and insurance verification is performed, then drivers receive coverage notifications and endorsements, but the system complexity increases requiring audio systems, microphones, and data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the vehicle's existing audio system and microphone, which are already present for other purposes, to perform TNC trip detection. By making the audio system multi-functional—using it both for its original purpose and for passenger detection—the system avoids adding dedicated detection hardware, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own audio system and microphone to detect TNC trips, rather than requiring external detection devices. The vehicle essentially detects its own usage patterns through its built-in components, eliminating the need for separate detection infrastructure and reducing system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively detects TNC trips, verifies insurance coverage, and provides necessary insurance endorsements, mitigating risks and ensuring drivers are adequately insured during TNC operations.
Implementation Method 1
transmit a plurality of locationing pulse requests from a mobile device in a vehicle to an audio system of the vehicle during a period of operation of the vehicle. The audio system may have an array of speakers disposed inside the vehicle, and the locationing pulse requests may include a request to emit a locationing pulse from at least one of the array of speakers. The method may further receive the locationing pulse at a microphone of the mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods may transmit a plurality of locationing pulse requests from a mobile device in a vehicle to an audio system of the vehicle during a period of operation of the vehicle. The audio system may have an array of speakers disposed inside the vehicle, and the locationing pulse requests may include a request to emit a locationing pulse from the array of speakers. The systems and methods may further receive the locationing pulse at a microphone of the mobile device; and determine, based upon receiving the locationing pulse, that the vehicle was in service of a TNC company, or otherwise operating as a TNC vehicle, during the period of operation based upon passengers entering and leaving the vehicle during the period of operation. Insurance covering the operation of the vehicle for TNC use may be verified, and/or alternatively, offered to facilitate insuring TNC vehicle operation.