Autonomous Vehicle Queue Selection for Rider Assignment Clarity
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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
1Productivity
If autonomous vehicles queue at a location to serve high rider demand, then service capacity is improved, but rider ability to identify and select their assigned vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual indicators (such as lights, displays, or color-coded markings) on autonomous vehicles to communicate vehicle identification and assignment status to riders. These visual signals enable riders to quickly identify their assigned vehicle among multiple queued vehicles, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining high service capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system (such as mobile app notifications, display screens, or audio signals) that conveys vehicle assignment information from the dispatch system to riders. This intermediary provides riders with the necessary information to locate and identify their assigned vehicle without reducing queue efficiency.
2Loss of time
If multiple autonomous vehicles are stationed at a queuing location, then rider wait time is reduced, but vehicle utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic vehicle queuing system where vehicles are not statically stationed but actively managed through real-time dispatch. Vehicles can be dynamically assigned to different queuing locations based on rider demand patterns, arrival rates, and fleet availability, optimizing both wait time reduction and utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters such as queue size, vehicle dispatch intervals, and queuing location selection based on real-time conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between having enough vehicles available to reduce wait times and maintaining high utilization efficiency.
3Reliability
If rider authentication is required for vehicle selection, then service reliability is improved, but operational complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service authentication mechanisms where riders automatically authenticate through their mobile devices or biometric systems without manual intervention. The authentication process is integrated into the vehicle selection workflow, allowing riders to seamlessly confirm their vehicle choice while the system verifies their identity and service eligibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary authentication and vehicle assignment before the rider reaches the vehicle. By pre-verifying rider identity and pre-assigning vehicles in the digital system, the actual on-ground interaction is simplified to minimal confirmation steps, maintaining reliability while reducing operational complexity.
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.