Automatic valet parking
A system and method of retrieving a vehicle includes generating a path from a final destination to a starting position, receiving a command to retrieve the vehicle, and autonomously operating the vehicle along the path from the final vehicle destination to the starting vehicle position.
1. A method of retrieving a vehicle using a wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:
recording, using a device installed in the vehicle, a vehicle path from a first position to a second position;
generating a return path from the second position to the first position;
receiving a retrieve command from the wireless device; and
autonomously operating the vehicle along the return path from the second position to the first position in response to receiving the retrieve command.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein recording the vehicle path from the first position to the second position includes collecting vehicle data from at least one of: cameras, sensors, and a GPS module.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the vehicle data includes at least one of the following: a number of turns made by the vehicle, turn angles, distance traveled, and vehicle direction.
4. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of generating a map of the return path.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless device is a keyfob.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receive step further includes receiving a retrieve command sent using a software application on the wireless device.
7. The method of claim 1 , further including monitoring the autonomous operation of the vehicle along the return path for obstacles and pausing the autonomous operation of the vehicle until a detected obstacle has cleared the path.
8. A method of retrieving a vehicle using a wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:
establishing a vehicle starting position upon receiving a learn command;
recording, using a device installed in the vehicle, a path traveled by the vehicle from the starting position to a final destination;
generating a return path from the final destination to the starting position upon receiving a stop command; and
autonomously operating the vehicle along the return path to the starting position upon receiving a retrieve command from the wireless device.
9. The method of claim 8 , further including receiving the learn command from a button located inside the vehicle or by a voice command to a user interface in the vehicle.
10. The method of claim 8 , further including receiving the retrieve command from the wireless device via short-range wireless communication or via a wireless carrier system.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein recording the path from the starting position to the final destination includes collecting vehicle data from at least one of: cameras, sensors, and a GPS module.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the vehicle data includes at least one of the following: a number of turns made by the vehicle, turn angles, distance traveled, and vehicle direction.
13. The method of claim 8 , further including generating a map of the return path.
14. The method of claim 8 , further including monitoring the autonomous operation of the vehicle along the return path for obstacles and pausing the autonomous operation of the vehicle until a detected obstacle has cleared the path.
15. The method of claim 8 , further including resetting the starting position automatically if after establishing the starting position the vehicle subsequently passes the starting position, or manually upon receiving a reset command.
16. The method of claim 8 , further including generating an alternative route for the return path upon receiving an alternative route request.
17. A system for retrieving a vehicle using a wireless device, the system comprising:
at least one vehicle system module and/or a vehicle telematics unit installed in the vehicle and configured individually or in combination to:
establish a vehicle starting position upon receiving a learn command;
record a path traveled by the vehicle from the starting position to a final destination;
generate a return path from the final destination to the starting position upon receiving a stop command; and
receive a retrieve command from the wireless device, and in response, initiate autonomous operation of the vehicle along the return path to the starting position.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein recording the path from the starting position to the final destination includes collecting vehicle data from at least one of: cameras, sensors, and a GPS module, and wherein the vehicle data includes at least one of the following: a number of turns made by the vehicle, turn angles, distance traveled, and vehicle direction.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the retrieve command from the wireless device is received via short-range wireless communication or via a wireless carrier system.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the autonomous operation of the vehicle along the return path is monitored for obstacles and paused until a detected obstacle has cleared the path.