Date: February 12, 2024. — USPTO granted patent to the inventors at Allstate Insurance Company for their work on event-based connected vehicle control and response systems. The patent number 11878643 describes systems and methods for using connected vehicle technology to automatically respond to traffic accidents and other events.
The restoration process following a vehicle-involved event can often become prolonged due to the involvement of multiple entities. For instance, additional vehicles are often drawn to the scene to clear and repair damage. However, these vehicles typically do little to impact the restoration process and instead become a burden. Moreover, this patent introduces a system that identifies events, including vehicle accidents or near misses, determines the at-fault party, and automatically initiates a response.
Key features: (~Bard, Google)
- Event detection: Vehicles use sensors and onboard systems to detect accidents, breakdowns, or other events.
- Data sharing: Vehicles involved and nearby share relevant data like location, severity, and type of event with a central platform.
- Automated responses: The platform analyzes the data and triggers pre-programmed responses based on the event type and severity. These could include:
- Sending alerts to emergency responders and insurance companies.
- Activating vehicle safety features like hazard lights or automatic braking.
- Routing other vehicles around the event to avoid congestion.
- Deploying resources like roadside assistance or medical aid.
Automated systems offer faster response times, surpassing human capabilities and potentially saving lives while mitigating damages. This efficiency extends beyond emergency situations, as automation liberates emergency responders and insurance professionals to address more intricate scenarios. Moreover, automated traffic management aids in minimizing congestion by optimizing traffic flow through strategic vehicle rerouting, ultimately reducing delays and enhancing overall efficiency.
Addressing privacy concerns associated with sharing vehicle data is paramount. This necessitates the implementation of robust security measures and obtaining user consent. Ethical considerations equally crucial, as automated responses must meticulously craft to steer clear of unintended consequences or discriminatory outcomes. Moreover, the technical challenges involved in deploying such a system are significant. They require widespread adoption of connected vehicle technology and the establishment of a resilient communication infrastructure.
This patent streamlines the aftermath of events involving vehicles by automating responses based on real-time data. Moreover, it aims to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on the restoration process.
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