TECHNICAL FIELD

The illustrative embodiments generally relate to methods and apparatuses for vehicle interior evaluation and situational servicing.

BACKGROUND

Autonomous vehicles may operate in a vehicle-as-a-service model, which may embody a fleet of vehicles that are ordered and used in an on-demand manner. Just as with a taxi or ride-shared vehicle, it is possible for occupants to leave objects behind in a vehicle cabin, or simply to generally leave a mess (e.g., food, spilled drink, etc.). Unlike the human driven taxis and ride-shared services, however, there is no driver in the autonomous model. Thus, there is no one to notice when an object is left behind or a drink is spilled.

With vehicles potentially servicing tens, if not hundreds, of occupants a day, there is significant opportunity for spillage and objects left behind in every vehicle. This presents opportunities to irritate other passengers in the case of mess, and opportunities for permanently lost items in the case of objects left behind.

SUMMARY

In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to detect an object within a vehicle interior using a vehicle sensor. The processor is further configured to determine whether the object should be removed, based on a determined object value. The processor is also configured to, responsive to determining the object should be removed, schedule removal at an automated object-removal center. Further, the processor is configured to wirelessly notify the object-removal center of vehicle arrival when the vehicle arrives at the object-removal center, including sending identification of the object, receive indication from the object-removal center that the object has been removed, and confirm removal of the object by attempting to detect the object using the vehicle sensor, the confirmation occurring based on non-detection of the object.

In a second illustrative embodiment, a system includes a robotic removal device, equipped with a sensor and a processor configured to receive wireless identification of an object, from a vehicle from which the object is to be removed. The processor is also configured to guide the removal device within a vehicle interior to identify, using the sensor, the object based on the identification. Further, the processor is configured to secure and remove the object using the removal device. The processor is also configured to place the object in a locking receptacle, create temporary access parameters for the locking receptacle, and wirelessly communicate the access parameters to an object owner, having a predefined association with the object.

In a third illustrative embodiment, a system includes a processor configured to use a robotic removal device to secure and remove an object, wirelessly identified by a vehicle, from an interior of the vehicle. The processor is also configured to confirm with the vehicle, via wireless communication, that the identified object was removed, based on the vehicle confirming that the vehicle no longer senses the object. This removal can also include using robotic arms, drones and other robotic devices to change odor (viaalterant dispensing), wipe surfaces and dry wet areas or spills.

