Abstract: The technology relates to a wiper systems. For instance, a system may include a sensor including a sensor housing and a housing window in the sensor housing. The system may also include a rotating drive mechanism. A first portion of the rotating drive mechanism is positioned adjacent to a top of the housing window. The system also includes a plurality of pulleys, and the rotating drive mechanism may be wrapped around at least a portion of the pulleys. The system also includes a wiper attached to the rotating drive mechanism and a motor. The motor may be configured to rotate at least one of the pulleys in order to cause at least the first portion of the rotating drive mechanism to rotate in a first direction. As a result, the wiper may move across the housing window from an initial position to a second position in order to move contaminants on the housing window.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering a passenger to a destination autonomously. The vehicle includes a computing system and a set of user input buttons for communicating requests to stop the vehicle and to initiate a trip to the destination with the computing system The vehicle has no steering wheel and no user inputs for the steering, acceleration, and deceleration of the vehicle other than the set of user input buttons. In order to safely test the vehicle, a removable manual control system may be used. The system may include a housing having an electronic connection to a computing system of the vehicle. The housing includes a steering input configured to allow a passenger to control the direction of the vehicle. The system also includes one or more computing devices configured to receive input from the steering input and send instructions the computing system.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering a passenger to a destination autonomously. The vehicle includes a computing system and a set of user input buttons for communicating requests to stop the vehicle and to initiate a trip to the destination with the computing system The vehicle has no steering wheel and no user inputs for the steering, acceleration, and deceleration of the vehicle other than the set of user input buttons. In order to safely test the vehicle, a removable manual control system may be used. The system may include a housing having an electronic connection to a computing system of the vehicle. The housing includes a steering input configured to allow a passenger to control the direction of the vehicle. The system also includes one or more computing devices configured to receive input from the steering input and send instructions the computing system.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a frame and a mount to couple a first end of an apparatus to the frame. The apparatus comprises a central region that includes a first energy-absorbing material. A first side of the central region is included in the first end of the apparatus coupled to the frame. The apparatus comprises a side region that includes a second energy-absorbing material. The side region is positioned along a second side of the upper region. The side region is configured to be positioned above a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for protecting a colliding object from a secondary impact, after an initial impact with a vehicle, including a vehicle having a front end, an adhesive layer positioned on the front end of the vehicle, a coating positioned over the adhesive layer, wherein, upon the initial impact between the colliding object and the vehicle, the coating is broken exposing the adhesive layer to adhere the colliding object to the adhesive layer during the initial impact.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a frame and a mount to couple a first end of an apparatus to the frame. The apparatus comprises a central region that includes a first energy-absorbing material. A first side of the central region is included in the first end of the apparatus coupled to the frame. The apparatus comprises a side region that includes a second energy-absorbing material. The side region is positioned along a second side of the upper region. The side region is configured to be positioned above a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems for mounting a windshield to a vehicle are described. In one example, an apparatus configured to a mount a windshield to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a foam configured to be positioned between the windshield and a frame of the vehicle along at least three sides of an interior perimeter of the windshield. The apparatus also includes one or more rigid components configured to compress the foam when the windshield is deformed. The one or more rigid components may be positioned at least partially within the foam. The apparatus further includes an attachment component configured to attach the foam to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for protecting a pedestrian during impact with a vehicle, the system having a bumper adapted for attachment to an end of the vehicle, wherein the bumper is comprised of a plurality of air sacs, wherein the bumper has a horizontal thickness extends from the end of the vehicle, wherein at least some of the plurality of air sacs stretch and then burst during impact between the bumper and a pedestrian causing deceleration along the horizontal width of the bumper during the impact, wherein the bumper undergoes plastic deformation during impact with the pedestrian as the at least some of the air sacs burst during impact, and wherein the bursting of some of the plurality of air sacs reduces spring back of the bumper on the pedestrian.

Abstract: A vehicle energy absorbing system for a vehicle having a suspension system, a frame and an axle, wherein the frame is spaced apart from the axle in a vertical direction and the suspension system mechanically couples the frame to the axle. The system includes an expandable air bag mechanically coupled to the frame and to the axle, a distance indicator for indicating a vertical distance between the frame and the axle attached to the vehicle, an air bag pressure control valve fluidly connected to the air bag and coupled to the distance indicator, and a source of air under pressure attached to the vehicle and fluidly coupled to the air bag pressure control valve through a control panel.

Abstract: A vehicle energy absorbing system for a vehicle having a suspension system, a frame and an axle, wherein the frame is spaced apart from the axle in a vertical direction and the suspension system mechanically couples the frame to the axle. The system includes an expandable air bag mechanically coupled to the frame and to the axle, a distance indicator for indicating a vertical distance between the frame and the axle attached to the vehicle, an air bag pressure control valve fluidly connected to the air bag and coupled to the distance indicator, and a source of air under pressure attached to the vehicle and fluidly coupled to the air bag pressure control valve through a control panel.