Patent attributes
In one embodiment, example systems and methods related to vehicle platooning are provided. Vehicles are equipped with a vehicle platooning system that allows the vehicles to exchange messages related to vehicle platooning. When a following vehicle desires to follow a leading vehicle, the following vehicle sends a request to the leading vehicle, and the leading vehicle sends the following vehicle information such as its current speed. The following vehicle may then use the information, along with sensor data such as images of the rear of the leading vehicle, to follow the leading vehicle from a following distance. When the leading vehicle desires to change lanes, the leading vehicle sends a message to the following vehicle to determine if the following vehicle is able to change lanes. If the following vehicle determines that it can change lanes (i.e., the lane is clear from other vehicles or objects), the following vehicle can send a message to the leading vehicle indicating that it can change lanes. The leading and following vehicles may then change lanes at approximately the same time.
