TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to cable management systems for sensor implementations on autonomous vehicles.

BACKGROUND

An autonomous vehicle is a motorized vehicle that can navigate without a human driver. An exemplary autonomous vehicle can include various sensors, such as a camera sensor, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, and a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, amongst others. The sensors collect data and measurements that the autonomous vehicle can use for operations such as navigation. The sensors can provide the data and measurements to an internal computing system of the autonomous vehicle, which can use the data and measurements to control a mechanical system of the autonomous vehicle, such as a vehicle propulsion system, a braking system, or a steering system. Typically, the sensors are mounted at fixed locations on the autonomous vehicles.

The field of view and coverage of sensors can depend on their capabilities and placement (e.g., location, angle, etc.). In the context of autonomous vehicles, the field of view and coverage of sensors can also be significantly impacted by changes in motion, driving angles and direction, as well as changes in their environment, including relative changes in the motion, angle, and position of surrounding objects. For example, as an autonomous vehicle travels and performs various driving maneuvers, the position and perspective of the sensors relative to the vehicle's surroundings also change. The changes in the relative position and perspective of the sensors can create blind spots and reduce their field of coverage, thereby limiting what the sensors can “see” or detect. However, autonomous vehicles need to have a robust understanding of their environment to safely operate, and because they largely rely on sensors to navigate and understand their environment, a sensor blind spot or reduced field of coverage can create significant risks to human lives and property.

