Cybernet Systems Corporation, a leading innovator in technology, announced that is has received a new patent, Autonomous transportation system and methods. The patent improves upon prior efforts in autonomous transportation by integrating autonomous vehicles (AVs) and manually operated vehicles (MVs) into a cohesive, interactive environment, wherein they communicate with each other and their surroundings to improve traffic flow while reducing accidents and other safety concerns.

Cybernet’s patent describes AVs and MVs sharing common modules that enable them to coexist and operate safely by following a common set of rules based on the inputs they receive from sensors, databases or other sources. Both vehicle types exchange messages between each other and with infrastructure devices that help them determine the status of other vehicles (position, speed, orientation, etc.), traffic conditions, and infrastructure in their operating environment. Using the shared vehicle control interfaces, AVs can execute driving activities that are legal, safe and allowable on roadways.

In the preferred embodiment, MVs also possess some or all of the same subsystems used by the AVs to control driving activities that allow them to operate on roadways. More specifically, this includes driving within safety margins, speed limits, on allowed or legal driving lanes, and through turns, intersections and mergers. Similar to the AVs, the MV communications capabilities may include transmitting/receiving radio encodings and common message packets via common radio frequency bands. Such messages would likely also include data involving the location, speed and direction other vehicles, pedestrians and other moving objects in the driving environment.

“We’re particularly excited about this patent because it has so many potential applications – not the least of which, is logistical support for the warfighter,” said Charles Cohen, Cybernet’s chief technology officer. “Just a few of these possible applications include positioning vehicles at refueling and resupply points, or other functions that work concurrently with driving a route, like mapping, scanning for – and firing on – hostile targets, or performing maintenance on roads that will be necessary for future missions. The more functions we can automate represents more focus our deployed warfighters can devote toward accomplishing their mission and getting home safely.”

The combinations of systematic controls in Cybernet’s invention can also support a wide range of other driving and transportation activities, such as utility functions and nonstandard behaviors during stops or at destination points. AVs may pick up or drop individuals or groups, as well as various payloads, from pallets and containers to propane tanks and garbage. Other capabilities could include backing up to trailers, boats, and other vehicles to facilitate coupling, towing or detachment.

The patent was granted to Cybernet on July 23, 2024, and it recognizes Charles Jacobus, Douglas Haanpaa, Eugene Foulk, Pritpaul Mahal, Steve Rowe, Charles Cohen, and Glenn Beach as the inventors.