Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, an identity of a vehicle operator may be determined and a vehicle operator profile and/or operating data regarding autonomous operation features of the vehicle may be received after the vehicle operator opts into a rewards program and agrees to share their data. Autonomous operation and vehicle operator risk levels associated with operation of the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined. Based upon the risk levels and/or comparison thereof, one or more autonomous operation features may be disengaged. A preparedness level of the vehicle operator to assume or reassume control of operating the vehicle is determined prior to disengagement. If satisfactory, an alert is presented to the vehicle operator prior to disengagement of the autonomous operation features.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, a computer-implemented method for operating an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be provided. With the customer's permission, an identity of a vehicle operator may be identified and a vehicle operator profile may be retrieved. Operating data regarding autonomous operation features operating the vehicle may be received from vehicle-mounted sensors. When a request to disable an autonomous feature is received, a risk level for the autonomous feature is determined and compared with a driver behavior setting for the autonomous feature stored in the vehicle operator profile. Based upon the risk level comparison, the autonomous vehicle retains control of vehicle or the autonomous feature is disengaged depending upon which is the safer driver—the autonomous vehicle or the vehicle human occupant. As a result, unsafe disengagement of self-driving functionality for autonomous vehicles may be alleviated.

Abstract: A marine radio distress beacon is mounted on the casing of an automatic self-inflating life-raft, the casing being encircled by retaining straps which are broken by the self-inflation of the life-raft, and the beacon being mounted by one or more of the retaining straps so as to be released when the straps break.

Abstract: An alarm switch has a box for mounting on a supporting surface, a front plate movably mounted in the box, a frangible element having a plurality of frangible areas spaced in succession thereon and each of which can be broken off the frangible elements, a stop element on either the box or the front plate, and the frangible element being on the remaining one of the box and the front plate, the stop element and the frangible element being positioned for, when the front plate is moved from a normal position relative to the box, the stop element and one of the frangible areas are engaged for causing the frangible area to be broken off the frangible element, and the frangible element and the stop element being shiftable relative to each other for, after one frangible area has been broken off, bringing the stop element and the next frangible area in succession into position for being engaged with each other when the front plate is moved again, and a switch unit operatively connected to the front plate for being oper

Abstract: In an electric battery comprising a plurality of interconnected cells within an insulating casing, internal connections between the cells and to external terminals are provided by a member which is preformed as a single unitary conducting member, secured in the casing while still in unitary form and subsequently severed in situ in the casing to form a plurality of separate connections.