{
  "patent_number": "US 20210181737",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Autonomous Trucks Predict and Handle Tire Blowouts",
  "original_title": "Prevention, detection and handling of the tire blowouts on autonomous trucks",
  "summary": "This patent describes how an autonomous vehicle uses real-time sensor data, road conditions, and a dynamic model to predict tire failure and take corrective actions like adjusting its path or pulling over.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent outlines a method for an autonomous vehicle to evaluate its tires and prevent or handle failures. First, the vehicle's processors obtain baseline information about its tires (Claim 1). While driving, it receives real-time sensor data, such as tire pressure, temperature, or shape (Claim 5), potentially from a tire pressure monitoring system (Claim 6) or even cameras and lidar (Claim 7). This data updates a 'dynamics model' that represents how the tires behave (Claim 1). The system also considers external factors like roadway conditions (e.g., obstacles like potholes (Claim 2, 3)) or environmental conditions (e.g., ambient temperature (Claim 4)). Based on the updated model and these conditions, the processors determine if the chance of a tire failure, such as a blowout, slow leak, or tread damage (Claim 10), exceeds a set limit. If it does, the autonomous vehicle takes a corrective action. For example, if a pothole is detected ahead and the system predicts a high risk of tire damage, the vehicle might adjust its position within the lane to avoid the impact (Claim 9). Other actions could include pulling over, changing its route, or notifying a remote service (Claim 11).",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover tire monitoring systems in vehicles that are solely human-driven, as the claims specifically refer to an 'autonomous vehicle'.",
    "Does not cover systems that only provide a simple alert (e.g., 'low tire pressure') without updating a 'dynamics model' to predict future failure based on multiple factors.",
    "Does not cover systems where a human driver makes all decisions for corrective action, as the claims state the processors 'causing the autonomous vehicle to take a corrective action'.",
    "Does not cover systems that only use internal tire sensor data without also considering external 'roadway condition' or 'environmental condition' information.",
    "Does not cover a system that only detects a tire failure after it has occurred without attempting to predict the possibility beforehand."
  ],
  "filed": "2019-12-16",
  "granted": null,
  "expires": "2039-12-16",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Waymo",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/waymo",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "William Grossman",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/william-grossman"
    },
    {
      "name": "Vijaysai Patnaik",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/vijaysai-patnaik"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 28,
  "tags": [
    "automotive",
    "ai_ml",
    "telecommunications",
    "software"
  ],
  "abstract": "The technology relates to the prediction and handling of tire blowouts for vehicles operating in a self-driving (autonomous) mode. Aspects involve determining a likelihood of tire failure, including actions the vehicle may take to reduce the likelihood of failure. Pre-trip and real-time system checks can be taken. A vehicle model including the tires may be employed in blowout prediction. The on-board system may store received data and detected sensor regarding tire pressure and temperature, which can be evaluated based on the model in order to avoid or minimize the likelihood of a blowout given various factors. The factors can include the load weight and distribution of cargo, current and upcoming weather conditions on the route, the number of miles traveled per tire, and detected obstructions, such as potholes, debris or other roadway impairments. Should a blowout occur, the autonomous system may immediately take any necessary corrective action.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20210181737/prevention-detection-and-handling-of-the-tire-blowouts-on-autonomous-trucks",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20210181737/prevention-detection-and-handling-of-the-tire-blowouts-on-autonomous-trucks/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210181737",
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