Systems and methods for semi-autonomous convoying of vehicles
The present invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating participants of vehicular convoys to closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle has significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. On the opposite end of the spectrum, fully autonomous solutions require inordinate amounts of technology, and a level of robustness that is currently not cost effective.
1. A server system useful in association with a plurality of vehicles, the server system comprising:
a processor, located remotely from the plurality of vehicles, configured to select for autonomous or semi-autonomous linking a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle from a plurality of vehicles, the linking selection based on at least a plurality of a vehicular location, a vehicular destination, a vehicular load, weather conditions, traffic conditions, a vehicular type, a trailer type, recent history of vehicular links, a fuel price, a driver profile;
a server transceiver adapted for long range communication, responsive to the processor, and configured to communicate with the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle the linking selection determined by the processor, and
a second communications link for direct short range communications by which the lead vehicle communicates wirelessly with the at least one follower vehicle to control at least acceleration and braking of the at least one follower vehicle.
2. The server of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is further configured to facilitate communications between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle.
3. The server of claim 1 wherein the driver profile includes at least one of driving record, driving experience, and time remaining in current driver operational period.
4. The server of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to analyze fleet logistics and provide recommendations or improvements.
5. The server of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to analyze individual vehicular efficiency, to diagnose mechanical problems impacting fuel efficiency, and to log individual vehicular data.
6. The server of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to analyze driver performance factors impacting fuel efficiency, including at least one of gear selection sequence and cadence, vehicular cruising speed, acceleration and deceleration profiles.
7. The server of claim 6 wherein the processor is further configured to compute at least one vehicular trajectory for smoothly and efficiently managing long range coordination of the at least one follower vehicle with the lead vehicle.
8. In a server-based system useful in association with a plurality of vehicles, a vehicular convoying method comprising:
selecting for autonomous or semi-autonomous linking, by a server remote from the plurality of vehicles, a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle from a plurality of vehicles, the linking selection based on at least a plurality of a vehicular location, a vehicular destination, a vehicular load, weather conditions, traffic conditions, a vehicular type, a trailer type, recent history of vehicular links, a fuel price, a driver profile;
communicating, by a server transceiver associated with the remote server and configured for long range communication, to the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle the linking selection, and
providing a second communications link for short range wireless communications by which the lead vehicle communicates directly with the at least one follower vehicle to control at least acceleration and braking of the at least one follower vehicle.
9. The convoying method of claim 8 further comprising facilitating communications between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle.
10. The convoying method of claim 8 wherein the driver profile includes at least one of driving record, driving experience, and time remaining in current driver operational period.
11. The convoying method of claim 8 further comprising analyzing fleet logistics and provide recommendations on improvements.
12. The convoying method of claim 8 further comprising analyzing individual vehicular efficiency, to diagnose mechanical problems impacting fuel efficiency, and logging individual vehicular data.
13. The convoying method of claim 8 further comprising analyzing driver performance factors impacting fuel efficiency, including at least one of gear selection sequence, cadence, and choices, vehicular cruising speed, acceleration and deceleration profiles, and engine operating parameters.
14. The convoying method of claim 8 further comprising computing at least one vehicular trajectory for smoothly and efficiently managing long range coordination of the at least one follower vehicle with the lead vehicle.
15. A central server useful in association with a plurality of vehicles, the server comprising:
a processor configured to select for linking a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle from a database comprising data representative of a plurality of vehicles, the linking selection based on at least three of a vehicular location, a vehicular destination, a vehicular load, weather conditions, traffic conditions, a vehicular type, a trailer type, recent history of vehicular links, a fuel price, a driver profile; and
a server transceiver responsive to the processor and configured to communicate the linking selection to the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle.
16. The server of claim 15 further comprising analysis of fleet logistics, driver performance, and vehicle performance.