Vehicle with autonomous feature override for theft prevention
Embodiments of the present invention provide an autonomous vehicle with an emergency escape mode. When fleeing a scene is critical, embodiments provide an AV that can operate in an emergency escape mode (EEM) to enable the AV to flee a scene, protecting its occupants. Typically, a passenger or operator invokes EEM in an AV when they are in imminent danger from criminal activity such as carjacking. A least resistance route can be computed to determine an escape route that provides for reduced chance of injury and/or increased probability of a successful escape.
1. A computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium, comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
receive an emergency activation signal;
determine a path of least resistance;
deactivate a collision avoidance system; and
direct a vehicle in the path of least resistance.
2. The computer program product of claim 1 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to send an emergency escape warning message upon receiving the emergency activation signal.
3. The computer program product of claim 2 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to initiate a video recording upon receiving the emergency activation signal.
4. The computer program product of claim 3 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to stream the video recording to a third party upon receiving the emergency activation signal.
5. The computer program product of claim 1 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to determine the path of least resistance by computing an impact target body mass estimate; and selecting a path that travels in a direction of a minimal target body mass.
6. The computer program product of claim 1 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to determine the path of least resistance by computing an impact target body distance estimate; and selecting a path that travels in a direction of a greatest target body distance.
7. The computer program product of claim 1 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to disable an airbag immobilization interlock upon receiving the emergency activation signal.
8. The computer program product of claim 1 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to activate an external audible alert upon receiving the emergency activation signal.
9. The computer program product of claim 1 , further comprising machine instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to activate external visual alert upon receiving the emergency activation signal.
10. A vehicle, comprising:
a drive train;
a steering mechanism;
an onboard computer configured to control the drive train and steering mechanism,
an emergency escape button coupled to the onboard computer;
wherein the computer comprises:
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor;
wherein the memory contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the steps of:
receiving an emergency activation signal based on one or more presses of the emergency escape button;
determining a path of least resistance;
deactivating a collision avoidance system; and
directing the vehicle in the path of least resistance by controlling the drive train and the steering mechanism.
11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the steering mechanism includes a steering wheel, and wherein the emergency escape button is affixed to the steering wheel.
12. The vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising a vehicle floor, and wherein the emergency escape button is affixed to the vehicle floor.
13. A computer-implemented method for performing an emergency maneuver in a vehicle, comprising:
receiving an emergency activation signal;
determining a safety zone for the vehicle;
detecting one or more pedestrians within the safety zone;
determining a path of least resistance based on the pedestrians within the safety zone;
deactivating a collision avoidance system; and
directing the vehicle in the path of least resistance.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein determining a path of least resistance based on the pedestrians within the safety zone comprises:
determining a first number of pedestrians within the safety zone and in front of the vehicle;
determining a second number of pedestrians within the safety zone and behind the vehicle; and
comparing the first number to the second number.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
setting, as the path of least resistance, a forward direction in response to detecting the first number being smaller than the second number.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
setting, as the path of least resistance, a reverse direction in response to detecting the second number being smaller than the first number.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein determining a path of least resistance based on the pedestrians within the safety zone comprises:
determining a first distance of a first pedestrian within the safety zone and in front of the vehicle;
determining a second distance of a second pedestrian within the safety zone and behind the vehicle; and
comparing the first distance to the second distance.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
setting, as the path of least resistance, a forward direction in response to detecting the first distance being larger than the second distance.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
setting, as the path of least resistance, a reverse direction in response to detecting the second distance being larger than the first distance.