Method for communicating intent of an autonomous vehicle

Abstract

One variation of a method for communicating intent includes, at an autonomous vehicle: autonomously approaching an intersection; autonomously navigating to a stop proximal the intersection; while stopped proximal the intersection, projecting an intent icon onto pavement at a first distance ahead of the autonomous vehicle; calculating a confidence score for possession of right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection based on objects detected in a field around the autonomous vehicle; projecting the intent icon onto pavement at distances ahead of the autonomous vehicle proportional to the confidence score and greater than the first distance; and in response to the confidence score exceeding a threshold score, autonomously entering the intersection.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for communicating intent comprising, at an autonomous vehicle:
 autonomously approaching an intersection;   autonomously navigating to a stop proximal the intersection;   while stopped proximal the intersection, projecting an intent icon onto pavement at a first distance ahead of the autonomous vehicle;   calculating a confidence score for possession of right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection based on objects detected in a field around the autonomous vehicle;   projecting the intent icon onto pavement at distances ahead of the autonomous vehicle proportional to the confidence score and greater than the first distance; and   in response to the confidence score exceeding a threshold score, autonomously entering the intersection.   
     
     
         2 . A method for communicating intent comprising, at an autonomous vehicle:
 autonomously approaching an intersection;   while slowing upon approach to the intersection, projecting an intent icon onto pavement at a distance ahead of the autonomous vehicle decreasing with decreasing speed of the autonomous vehicle;   while stopped proximal the intersection, projecting an intent icon onto pavement at a first distance ahead of the autonomous vehicle;   predicting possession of right of way of the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection based on objects detected in a field around the autonomous vehicle;   in preparation for navigating into the intersection, projecting the intent icon onto pavement at a second distance ahead of the autonomous vehicle greater than the first distance; and   autonomously entering the intersection.