Movable Sensors
Apple's patent covers a future vehicle that may be configured to operate on a roadway or other surface. The vehicle may monitor information on vehicle operation such as vehicle speed, vehicle operating mode (parked or moving), vehicle location, weather, and other information on the vehicle and its surroundings. The vehicle may have one or more movable sensors mounted to a vehicle body.
The movable sensors, which may include sensors such as radar sensors, lidar sensors, cameras, and/or other sensors, may be moved in response to information on the vehicle and its surroundings.
For example, a movable sensor may be rotated, linearly translated, or otherwise moved between multiple positions in response to measured and/or predicted location information, parking status, driving mode information (e.g., autonomous, manual, etc.), vehicle speed, weather, and/or other criteria. If desired, a movable sensor may be moved during operation to isolate the sensor from unwanted vehicle motion (e.g., road vibrations, etc.).
In a stowed position, a movable sensor may be protected with a movable cover. A cleaner may clean the sensor. Alignment structures may be used to help accurately maintain the movable sensor in a desired position during use. During vehicle operation, information from the movable sensor may be used to provide control circuitry in the vehicle with driver assistance information and information for an autonomous driving system.
Sensors may also be used to gather user input from vehicle occupants and others.
Apple's patent FIG. 26 below is a flow chart of illustrative operations associated with using sensors in vehicle.
Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a top view of an illustrative vehicle of the type that may include one or more movable sensors. In the example of FIG. 1, vehicle 10 is the type of vehicle that may carry passengers (e.g., an automobile, truck, or other automotive vehicle). Configurations in which the vehicle is a robot (e.g., an autonomous robot) or other vehicle that does not carry human passengers may also be used. Vehicles such as automobiles