Abstract: The technology relates to cargo vehicles. National, regional and/or local regulations set requirements for operating cargo vehicles, including how to distribute and secure cargo, and how often the cargo should be inspected during a trip. However, such regulations have been focused on traditional human-driven vehicles. Aspects of the technology address various issues involved with securement and inspection of cargo before a trip, as well as monitoring during the trip so that corrective action may be taken as warranted. For instance, imagery and other sensor information may be used to enable proper securement of cargo before starting a trip. Onboard sensors along the vehicle monitor the cargo and securement devices/systems during the trip to identify issues as they arise. Such information is used by the onboard autonomous driving system (or a human driver) to take corrective action depending on the nature of the issue.

Abstract: A locking carabiner system and methods comprising a frame, gates and a gate biasing apparatus that includes a wire formed gate pivotably attached to the carabiner frame which can be rotated between two positions with movement from either position to the other position opposed by a biasing force, such force undergoing a change in the direction of bias as the gate is pivoted from one position to the other position resulting in two separate and distinct stable gate positions. Among other uses, such a gate can form a locking mechanism when in a first position it obstructs other gates from operating until it is rotated to the second position. The inventive locking mechanism can be incorporated into carabiners and other attachment devices to prevent the accidental opening of gates and to ensure that attached ropes, keys and other articles remain secured.