Autonomous Vehicle Queue Assignment Through Rider Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high rider demand situations, it is challenging for riders to determine which autonomous vehicle has been assigned to provide their requested service, leading to inefficiencies in vehicle utilization and rider experience.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that allows riders to select an available autonomous vehicle at a queuing location, initiates rider authentication, and matches the vehicle to the rider's service request, optimizing vehicle utilization and reducing wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If autonomous vehicles queue at high-demand locations to serve riders, then service availability and response time are improved, but riders cannot determine which vehicle is assigned to their request
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the computing system provides information to the rider's device about the autonomous vehicle's identification and status. This feedback loop resolves the information asymmetry by continuously updating the rider on which vehicle is assigned to their request, thereby eliminating the uncertainty while maintaining the efficiency benefits of queued vehicle assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system acts as an intermediary between the autonomous vehicle and the rider. It manages the assignment process, maintains the mapping between requests and vehicles, and communicates this information to the rider's device. This intermediary role resolves the information gap without requiring direct communication between the vehicle and rider, enabling efficient queued assignment while keeping riders informed.
2Ease of operation
If riders are provided with vehicle selection capabilities at queuing locations, then rider experience and control are improved, but system complexity and authentication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing riders to initiate the matching process themselves through their devices. Riders can actively select or confirm vehicle assignments at queuing locations, giving them control over the process. This self-service approach simplifies the user interface and reduces the need for complex automated assignment algorithms, as the rider's device becomes the primary interface for vehicle selection and authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are directed to matching an available vehicle to a rider requesting a service. In one example, a computer-implemented method includes obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, a service request from a rider. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, data indicative of a current location of the rider; and determining that the current location of the rider is within proximity of an autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes providing, by the computing system, data to the rider to provide for selection of an available autonomous vehicle at the autonomous vehicle queuing location. The method further includes obtaining, by the computing system, rider authentication data upon a selection of an autonomous vehicle by the rider; and, in response to obtaining rider authentication data, matching an autonomous vehicle selected by the rider to provide for performance of the service request.