Alphabet has filed a patent for a method that aims to optimize the fuel efficiency of autonomous vehicles (AVs) by adjusting their speed. The method involves identifying a route for the AV and calculating an estimated arrival time based on fuel-efficient speed values for each segment of the route. If the estimated arrival time does not meet a threshold, the method identifies segments where speed can be increased without compromising fuel economy. A correlation metric is computed for each segment, indicating the relationship between fuel economy and speed. The fuel-efficient speed value for the corresponding segment is then increased to reflect the optimized speed profile. GlobalData’s report on Alphabet gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Alphabet, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Alphabet's grant share as of September 2023 was 61%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for optimizing fuel-efficient speed for autonomous vehicles
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230315107A1) describes a method and system for optimizing the fuel efficiency of autonomous vehicles (AVs) during travel. The method involves determining the estimated arrival time of an AV at a destination and comparing it to a threshold arrival time. If the estimated arrival time exceeds the threshold, the method increases the fuel-efficient speed value of specific segments of the route to reflect the increased speed. The AV then travels along the route based on this adjusted speed profile.
To calculate the fuel-efficient speed values for each segment of the route, the method utilizes fuel economy data associated with the AV. It also takes into account regulatory speed limits, traffic data, and minimum and maximum threshold speed values for each segment. By considering these factors, the method determines the optimal speed for each segment that maximizes fuel efficiency.
The method also includes identifying segments of the route that are candidates for speed increase. For each segment in this subset, a correlation metric is computed based on fuel economy data. This metric indicates the correlation between fuel economy and speed for the respective segment. The method selects the segment with the least decrease in fuel economy compared to the increase in speed as the corresponding segment for speed adjustment.
Additionally, the method adjusts the speed between segments if the difference between the fuel-efficient speed values exceeds a threshold speed difference value. This ensures a smooth transition between segments while maintaining fuel efficiency.
The patent also describes a system and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that implement the method. The system includes a memory device and a processing device, which determine the estimated arrival time, increase the fuel-efficient speed values, and perform other calculations based on the fuel economy data and route information.
Overall, this patent presents a method and system for optimizing the fuel efficiency of AVs by adjusting the speed profile based on estimated arrival time, fuel economy data, and other factors. By implementing this method, AVs can achieve better fuel efficiency during travel, leading to reduced fuel consumption and environmental impact.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
