Abstract: A lidar module configured for mounting on a vehicle is provided. The lidar module may include a module housing structured to be securable to a vehicle. The module housing may define a cavity configured for receiving a lidar scanner unit therein. The lidar module may include a lidar scanner unit configured to be received within the module housing cavity. The lidar scanner unit may be configured to be removable from the module housing cavity whenever the lidar scanner unit is not in use.

Abstract: A vehicle that comprises a passenger compartment comprising a plurality of door openings. The vehicle also includes a plurality of selectively openable and closable doors movably disposed in the door openings. The vehicle also includes a selectively openable and closable vent duct. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to selectively open and close the selectively openable and closable vent duct, the controller configured to control an open condition of the vent duct during a door close event or a door open event of one of the doors. The vehicle may use the controller to sense the door close event or the door open event for at least one of the doors and a vehicle state; determine whether an opening of a predetermined first cross-sectional area exists in that state; and if not, use the controller to control the open condition thereby providing the predetermined first cross-sectional area by opening the vent duct.

Abstract: A customizable cargo bed system for a vehicle includes a plurality of adjoining surfaces, with at least one surface of the plurality of adjoining surfaces including at least one recessed portion. The system also includes at least one accessory panel structured to be removably attachable to the at least one surface along the at least one recessed portion. The at least one accessory panel is structured to support at least a portion of an object to be positioned in the cargo bed when the at least one accessory panel is attached to the at least one surface.

Abstract: A system for adjusting lighting of a towing hitch region of a vehicle includes processor, user input device communicatively coupled to the processor, and light source comprising actuator communicatively coupled to the processor. The light source are configured to selectively illuminate the towing hitch region of the vehicle. The system further includes memory module communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to receive user instructions from the user input device; and adjust an angle of illumination of the light source with the actuator to illuminate the towing hitch region based on the user instructions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback and a side armrest. The side armrest includes an elongate frame anchored to the seatback and an elongate cover supported on the frame. The frame includes a base segment, by which the frame is anchored to the seatback, and a pivoting distal segment. With the frame's base segment extending away from the seatback, the side armrest is reconfigurable between an armrest configuration and an auxiliary configuration. In the armrest configuration, the frame's distal segment is inline with its base segment, the cover covers the frame, and the cover is supported on the frame for sliding movement along the frame that culminates in lodgment onto its distal segment. In the auxiliary configuration, the cover is lodged onto the frame's distal segment, and the frame's distal segment is pivoted towards the seatback to position the cover to extend in front of the seatback.

Abstract: An adjustable cargo rack for a vehicle includes a mount for connecting the cargo rack to a vehicle. The cargo rack includes a rack arm having a proximal end pivotally connected to the mount by a pivot shaft. The rack arm is selectively pivotable between a loading position, in which the rack arm extends outboard an outer perimeter of the vehicle and a generally upright first travel position. A cargo support bracket is detachably connected to a distal end of the rack arm. An orientation of the cargo support bracket is adjustable between a first support bracket orientation and a second support bracket orientation. The orientation of the cargo support bracket relative to the rack arm and a location of the pivot shaft relative to the vehicle remain substantially constant when pivoting the rack arm between the loading position and the first travel position.

Abstract: A resting surface accessory can be used within a vehicle space to provide a resting surface for one or more vehicle occupants. As an example, the resting surface accessory can be used in the bed of a pickup truck. The resting surface accessory includes a main body. The main body can have a first lateral side and an opposite second lateral side. The main body can include a central region with a plurality of sleeves. Each of the sleeves can define a cavity. The plurality of sleeves can be spaced from the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The resting surface accessory includes a first connector. The first connector can be operatively connected to the main body and can extend along the first lateral side. The resting surface accessory can include a second connector operatively connected to the main body and extending along the second lateral side.

Abstract: A method of distributing digital content to occupants of a vehicle using an in-vehicle entertainment system is provided. The method includes providing the digital content to a content distribution system. The digital content is selectively transmitted from the content distribution system to only one or some of a plurality of digital content access stations associated with seat locations within the vehicle. The digital content from the at least one of the plurality of digital content access stations is selectively transmitted to another of the plurality of digital content access stations.

Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle cargo bed dividing member includes a base, a first projection extending from the base, and a second projection extending from the base opposite the first projection so as to define a first cavity therebetween. The first projection defines a cavity first wall portion, and the second projection defines a cavity second wall portion positioned opposite the cavity first wall portion. The first projection also defines a cavity third wall portion extending opposite the cavity second wall portion from an end of the cavity first wall portion and in a direction away from the cavity second wall portion. The cavity third wall portion and the cavity second wall portion are structured to maintain a cargo bed dividing member in a pre-support position prior to positioning of the dividing member between the cavity second wall portion and the cavity first wall portion.

Abstract: Described herein is a fishing rod carrier. The fishing rod carrier may comprise a front holder portion. The front holder portion may comprise a foam body surrounding an opening for receiving a tip end of a fishing rod and a first connector assembly proximate to the foam body. The fishing rod carrier may comprise a rear holder portion. The rear holder portion may comprise a semi-cylindrical body for receiving a handle end of the fishing rod and a second connector assembly proximate to the semi-cylindrical body. The fishing rod carrier may comprise a first rail configured to receive one or more of the first connector and the second connector.

Abstract: A customizable cargo bed system for a vehicle includes a plurality of adjoining surfaces, with at least one surface of the plurality of adjoining surfaces including at least one recessed portion. The system also includes at least one accessory panel structured to be removably attachable to the at least one surface along the at least one recessed portion. The at least one accessory panel is structured to support at least a portion of an object to be positioned in the cargo bed when the at least one accessory panel is attached to the at least one surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback and a side armrest. The side armrest includes an elongate frame anchored to the seatback and an elongate cover supported on the frame. The frame includes a base segment, by which the frame is anchored to the seatback, and a pivoting distal segment. With the frame's base segment extending away from the seatback, the side armrest is reconfigurable between an armrest configuration and an auxiliary configuration. In the armrest configuration, the frame's distal segment is inline with its base segment, the cover covers the frame, and the cover is supported on the frame for sliding movement along the frame that culminates in lodgment onto its distal segment. In the auxiliary configuration, the cover is lodged onto the frame's distal segment, and the frame's distal segment is pivoted towards the seatback to position the cover to extend in front of the seatback.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a retractable truck bed lighting system. The lighting system may comprise an illumination device. The illumination device may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion coupled to the upper portion. The upper portion may comprise an upper body, a cap covering a top portion of the upper body, and a diffuser module comprising a light source set within a front wall of the upper body. The lower portion may comprise a lower body surrounding a first cavity, the upper portion fits within the first cavity when the upper portion is in a recessed position and the upper portion extends from the first cavity when the upper portion is in an extended position, and an extension mechanism coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion, the extension mechanism configured to extend the upper portion from the recessed position to the extended position.

Abstract: A tie down assembly for a vehicle cargo bed. The tie down assembly is structured to be coupled to a sidewall of a vehicle cargo bed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket structured to be positionable and securable along the sidewall. The assembly also includes a tie down member rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket and including an indexing member. The mounting bracket has a first indexing cavity structured for receiving the indexing member therein, and a second indexing cavity angularly spaced apart from the first indexing cavity and structured for receiving the indexing member therein. The tie down assembly is structured such that the tie down member is secured in a first angular orientation when the indexing member resides within the first indexing cavity, and in a second angular orientation different from the first angular orientation when the indexing member resides within the second indexing cavity.

Abstract: A method of distributing digital content to occupants of a vehicle using an in-vehicle entertainment system is provided. The method includes providing the digital content to a content distribution system. The digital content is selectively transmitted from the content distribution system to only one or some of a plurality of digital content access stations associated with seat locations within the vehicle. The digital content from the at least one of the plurality of digital content access stations is selectively transmitted to another of the plurality of digital content access stations.

Abstract: A system for adjusting lighting of a towing hitch region of a vehicle includes processor, user input device communicatively coupled to the processor, and light source comprising actuator communicatively coupled to the processor. The light source are configured to selectively illuminate the towing hitch region of the vehicle. The system further includes memory module communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to receive user instructions from the user input device; and adjust an angle of illumination of the light source with the actuator to illuminate the towing hitch region based on the user instructions.

Abstract: A tie down assembly for a vehicle cargo bed. The tie down assembly is structured to be coupled to a sidewall of a vehicle cargo bed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket structured to be positionable and securable along the sidewall. The assembly also includes a tie down member rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket and including an indexing member. The mounting bracket has a first indexing cavity structured for receiving the indexing member therein, and a second indexing cavity angularly spaced apart from the first indexing cavity and structured for receiving the indexing member therein. The tie down assembly is structured such that the tie down member is secured in a first angular orientation when the indexing member resides within the first indexing cavity, and in a second angular orientation different from the first angular orientation when the indexing member resides within the second indexing cavity.

Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle cargo bed dividing member includes a base, a first projection extending from the base, and a second projection extending from the base opposite the first projection so as to define a first cavity therebetween. The first projection defines a cavity first wall portion, and the second projection defines a cavity second wall portion positioned opposite the cavity first wall portion. The first projection also defines a cavity third wall portion extending opposite the cavity second wall portion from an end of the cavity first wall portion and in a direction away from the cavity second wall portion. The cavity third wall portion and the cavity second wall portion are structured to maintain a cargo bed dividing member in a pre-support position prior to positioning of the dividing member between the cavity second wall portion and the cavity first wall portion.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an autonomous drone for refueling. The autonomous drone may comprise a fuel storage area; a fuel delivery mechanism coupled to the fuel storage area; a delivery connection coupled to the fuel delivery mechanism; a drive mechanism; and a central controller. The central controller may be configured to receive a refueling location; and control the drive mechanism to pilot the autonomous drone to the refueling location.

Abstract: An adjustable cargo rack for a vehicle includes a mount for connecting the cargo rack to a vehicle. The cargo rack includes a rack arm having a proximal end pivotally connected to the mount by a pivot shaft. The rack arm is selectively pivotable between a loading position, in which the rack arm extends outboard an outer perimeter of the vehicle and a generally upright first travel position. A cargo support bracket is detachably connected to a distal end of the rack arm. An orientation of the cargo support bracket is adjustable between a first support bracket orientation and a second support bracket orientation. The orientation of the cargo support bracket relative to the rack arm and a location of the pivot shaft relative to the vehicle remain substantially constant when pivoting the rack arm between the loading position and the first travel position.