Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes the use a software application to order the use of the autonomous vehicle. Thereafter, the software application can be used to determine an amount of control over the autonomous vehicle held by one or more passengers of the trip. The software can be used remotely from the autonomous vehicle, as opposed to being used by the one or more passengers.

Abstract: A vehicle utility seat in which the seat back can be rotated down onto the seat bottom to form a pass through opening into the trunk area of the vehicle. In addition, the seat bottom can be rotated upward to a stowed position immediately in front of the seat back providing increased cargo area in the rear seat area. A flat load floor is provided beneath the seat bottom for placing cargo thereon. The seat bottom and seat back are formed with complementary seating surfaces so that the seat bottom and seat back can nest together and occupy a minimal volume in the vehicle to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle. In addition, the seat bottom and seat back are mounted to the vehicle for rotation about a common pivot axis.

Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle cargo compartment which includes a cover attached to the floor of the cargo compartment at a location spaced from an upright wall of the cargo compartment. The cover extends from the floor to the upright wall at a location above the floor thereby enclosing a storage space defined by the floor, upright wall and the cover. The cover is attached to the floor by a pivot mechanism enabling the cover to rotate between open and closed positions. The cover can be removably attached to the floor so that it can be removed from the floor to merge the storage space with the remaining space of the cargo compartment, if necessary. The cover is preferably made of a translucent or transparent material whereby items placed within the storage space can be seen.

Abstract: A seat platform extends between the sidewalls of a vehicle and is mounted to rotating members and is offset from their axis of rotation such that the seat, when rotated to a seating position, is positioned above the floor level and, when rotated to a storage position, is positioned in a recess with the opposite side of the seating surface defining the floor of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seating platform is slidably mounted to a beam such that the seat can be rotated to one or more intermediate vertical positions and locked in such positions with the seat platform defining a divider for a storage area between the seat platform and the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seating/storage system includes a seat which is rotatably supported on opposite ends between the sidewalls of a vehicle on a pivot axle in spaced relationship above the floor level of the vehicle. The seat pivot axle, in turn, is mounted to a rotating member offset from the pivot axle such that, when rotated to a seating position, the seat is positioned above the floor level and, when rotated to a storage position, the seat is positioned in a recess with the lower side of the seat defining the floor of the vehicle. A releasable latching member extends between the rotatable member and the vehicle seat to selectively lock the seat in use or stored positions. In a preferred embodiment, a releasable latch also extends between a fixed seat frame and the rotatable member to selectively lock the seat back and seat in use or stored positions.

Abstract: A storage system includes an elongated, generally rectangular housing which has a forward-facing surface in the vehicle defining the rear seat backs of a vehicle and which has an open opposite end for extending into the trunk of a vehicle. The housing is slidably mounted to move from a retracted position substantially within the vehicle trunk in which the forward-facing surface defines the rear seat back rests of the rear passenger area of a vehicle and an extended position in which the generally rectangular housing is moved forwardly to expand the available storage space within the trunk. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the generally rectangular storage housing includes at least one pivoted access door such that access can be obtained to the rectangular storage housing from within the rear seat passenger area of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access means includes a pivoted top lid.

Abstract: A sliding visor includes a visor body with a slide extending within a track extending along the upper edge of the door frame and downwardly into the A-pillar. A storage pocket located at the end of the track receives the visor body for the unobtrusive storage of the visor when not in use. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a windshield mounted track visor is employed and includes a track concealably mounted behind the vehicle headliner above the windshield. The headliner includes a recess formed therein for receiving the visor for storage.

Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle includes a molded bin configured to fit within a trunk or rear storage area of the vehicle. A bin cover is pivotally secured to the bin to cover the bin for safe storage of articles in the bin. The bin cover includes an opening, and a second cover is pivotally secured to the primary cover over the opening so that the bin can be selectively accessed by opening either the bin cover or the secondary cover. Dividers are pivotally secured to the bottom of the bin and also to the bin cover so that they can be selectively raised to subdivide the space over the bin bottom and the bin cover for laterally supporting articles placed on the bin bottom and the bin cover, respectively. A modified storage system having a molded bin and adjacent covers is also disclosed.