US Patent 10948912 Automatic following system and method

A method for automatically following a preceding object by an autonomous vehicle is provided and includes the following steps: providing a first predetermined path, locating the preceding object and the autonomous vehicle on the first predetermined path, measuring the distance between the autonomous vehicle and the preceding object by a distance measuring unit disposed on the autonomous vehicle, determining a predetermined distance to be maintained between the autonomous vehicle and the preceding object through a central processor, and when the preceding object moves along the first predetermined path, the central processor drives the autonomous vehicle to be following the preceding object along the first predetermined path with the predetermined distance and a moving velocity.