Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a handle, and at least one connection site for the handle at which the handle is selectively connectable to the vehicle. The body defines a passenger compartment and a door opening, and includes a door over the door opening. The at least one connection site includes a home connection site on the door. When connected to vehicle at the home connection site, the handle, from its corresponding location on the door, is subject to being operated by a user to allow the door to open.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a wheel within a wheel well, a fender panel assembly that includes a fender outer panel and a fender inner panel, the fender panel assembly at least partially surrounding the wheel well, and an overfender assembly connected to the fender panel assembly. The overfender assembly includes an overfender backing including a fender outer panel connection portion that connects to the fender outer panel and a fender inner panel connection portion that connects to the fender inner panel and an overfender garnish connected to the overfender backing. The overfender garnish and the overfender backing are formed separately of different materials.

Abstract: A modular system is provided for a multi-purpose accessory configured to selectively operate as a brush guard, a cabin protector, and a tailgate extender for a vehicle. The system includes a first mounting structure connected to a front frame of the vehicle. A second mounting structure is connected to a cabin portion of the vehicle, and a third mounting structure is connected to a tailgate of the vehicle. A multi-purpose accessory is provided including a main body portion and at least one attachment member extending from the main body portion. The attachment member is configured to alternately be received by the first mounting structure, wherein the multi-purpose accessory serves as a brush guard; the second mounting structure, wherein the multi-purpose accessory serves as a cabin protector; and the third mounting structure, wherein the multi-purpose accessory serves as a tailgate extender.

Abstract: A method and a system for theft prevention from an autonomous vehicle are provided. The method includes acquiring data from one or more sensors associated with the autonomous vehicle and analyzing, using processing circuitry, the data to determine whether one or more exterior systems of the autonomous vehicle are tampered with. An alert is output to an electronic device associated with a user of the vehicle when a whether one or more exterior systems of the autonomous vehicle are tampered with. Further, an alert is output the user that the autonomous vehicle is no longer safe to be operated when at least one of the one or more exterior systems tampered with belongs to a predefined category. Further, a signal is output to the vehicle to control one or more systems of the vehicle when whether one or more exterior systems of the autonomous vehicle are tampered with.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a vehicle door glass damping system that functions like a clamp along a perimeter of a door glass when the door glass is in a closed position. The system includes an actuator assembly having a motor housing and a plunger. The assembly is configured to apply a force in the vehicle lateral direction force to a perimeter edge of the door glass. A plurality of actuator assemblies may be provided about the perimeter of the door glass at multiple locations. The actuator assembly may be a single touch location or may touch off on the whole perimeter of the door glass. When the door glass is displaced, a sealing member body within a glass run channel pivotally compresses which creates a compression seal between the sealing member body and the exterior surface of the door glass.

Abstract: A retractable roof apparatus for an autonomous hardtop vehicle is described. The apparatus includes a vehicle roof having an opening to a compartment that extends below the surface of the vehicle roof and a retractable cover assembly that encloses sensor devices. The retractable cover assembly includes a top panel having a peripheral size and shape that matches the roof opening to the compartment. The sensors include an array of cameras having a field of view of the full width of the vehicle in at least the front of the vehicle when the retractable roof cover is in the raised position. The height of the top panel in the raised position above the vehicle roof is a minimal height to accommodate the height of the cameras. When the retractable cover assembly is retracted into the compartment, the top panel is flush with the surrounding roof panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rear deck post assembly is provided for reinforcing a cargo bed of a utility vehicle. The assembly includes a first deck mount coupled to a vehicle frame, and a first rear deck post coupled to the first deck mount. A second deck mount is provided coupled to the vehicle frame and spaced apart from the first deck mount. A second rear deck post is coupled to the second deck mount. A deck sill component is provided longitudinally extending between the first deck post and the second deck post. Deck bolts may be used to couple the deck sill component, deck mounts, and deck posts to the vehicle frame. The first and second deck mounts and deck posts may be a cast aluminum alloy, a cast magnesium alloy, or a fiber reinforced composite material.

Abstract: A foldable table structure is structured to be mountable on a vehicle. The table structure includes a first panel structured to form a first portion of a table top when the table structure is in a deployed condition, a second panel structured to form a second portion of a table top when the table structure is in a deployed condition, and at least one first support. Each of the at least one first support, the first panel, and the second panel are rotatably connected to at least one other of the at least one first support, the first panel, and the second panel, such that the first panel is rotatable to reside along a first side of the at least one first support, and such that the second panel is rotatable to reside along a second side of the at least one first support opposite the first side.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein include washing systems for vehicle truck beds. The system can include one or more nozzles and one or more conduits operatively connected to the truck bed. In some arrangements, the conduits can be formed integrally with the truck bed, such as being molded with an inner panel of the truck bed. The system further includes a fluid inlet operatively connected to the vehicle that is in fluid communication with the one or more conduits. When a fluid is supplied in the fluid inlet it can be routed to the one or more nozzles for spraying into the truck bed.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein include adaptable storage systems for vehicle truck beds, and methods for controlling such systems. The system can include a panel having one or more wheel well cutouts. One or more wheel well covers can be operatively connected to the panel. A lift can be included that can selectively move the panel in an elevational direction between a top position and a bottom position. The wheel well cover(s) can be adaptive relative to the wheel wells to allow substantially unimpeded movement of the panel between the top position and the bottom position. Further, the wheel well cover(s) can substantially cover a wheel well cutout when the panel is in the top position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat base, a seat back rotatably connected to the seat base, a seat bottom mounted on the seat base, and at least one of the following mounted to one of the seat base, seat back, and seat bottom: a resistance mechanism structured to exert a biasing force on at least one exercise arm operatively connected to the resistance mechanism; a bicycle seat receptacle structured for detachably mounting a bicycle seat to the seat base; and a docking mechanism structured for detachably mounting a pedal mechanism to the seat base.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein include washing systems for vehicle truck beds. The system can include one or more nozzles and one or more conduits operatively connected to the truck bed. In some arrangements, the conduits can be formed integrally with the truck bed, such as being molded with an inner panel of the truck bed. The system further includes a fluid inlet operatively connected to the vehicle that is in fluid communication with the one or more conduits. When a fluid is supplied in the fluid inlet it can be routed to the one or more nozzles for spraying into the truck bed.

Abstract: Various arrangements for providing a guided tour are described herein. Generally, the guided tour system determines the location of location sensor(s) along a guided tour. When the location sensor(s) are located at a transition location along a guided tour, the guided tour system selects an active Input/Output (I/O) system for a subsequent segment of the guided tour. The active I/O system is used to render prompts associated with POIs along the guided tour.

Abstract: Provided is a device and method for selective announcement of hazard-noise signals detected in ambient vehicle-noise environments are disclosed. The device and method provide for monitoring an ambient vehicle-noise environment for a hazard-noise signal. Upon detecting the hazard-noise signal, determining whether a source location of the hazard-noise signal closes on a monitoring location of the ambient vehicle-noise environment. When the source location of the hazard-noise signal closes on the monitoring location, generating announcement data relating to the hazard-noise signal, and transmitting the announcement data.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a tonneau cover for a bed of a truck. In one embodiment, the tonneau cover includes a set of panels that span a width of the bed between at least two mounting rails that are attached to sidewalls of the bed. The set of panels detachably connect to the mounting rails at attachment points within the mounting rails and are at least partially supported by the attachment points. Individual panels within the set of panels connect with adjacent ones of the set of panels through a detachable hinge within opposing sides. The individual panels connect to the mounting rails through retractable pins that extend from opposing ends.

Abstract: A dynamic gap at a vehicle interface can be actively managed using an interface seal. The interface can be defined between a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component. A gap can be defined between the first vehicle component and the second vehicle component. The gap can have an associated width. The width of the gap can vary during vehicle operation. An interface seal can be provided at least partially within the first vehicle component. The interface seal can be movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the interface seal can be located substantially entirely within the first vehicle component. In the deployed position, the interface seal can extend at least partially out of the first vehicle component in a direction toward the second vehicle component. As a result, the width of the gap can be reduced.

Abstract: Arrangements described herein include adaptable storage systems for vehicle truck beds, and methods for controlling such systems. The system can include a panel having one or more wheel well cutouts. One or more wheel well covers can be operatively connected to the panel. A lift can be included that can selectively move the panel in an elevational direction between a top position and a bottom position. The wheel well cover(s) can be adaptive relative to the wheel wells to allow substantially unimpeded movement of the panel between the top position and the bottom position. Further, the wheel well cover(s) can substantially cover a wheel well cutout when the panel is in the top position.

Abstract: A foldable table structure is structured to be mountable on a vehicle. The table structure includes a first panel structured to form a first portion of a table top when the table structure is in a deployed condition, a second panel structured to form a second portion of a table top when the table structure is in a deployed condition, and at least one first support. Each of the at least one first support, the first panel, and the second panel are rotatably connected to at least one other of the at least one first support, the first panel, and the second panel, such that the first panel is rotatable to reside along a first side of the at least one first support, and such that the second panel is rotatable to reside along a second side of the at least one first support opposite the first side.

Abstract: Provided is a device and method for selective announcement of hazard-noise signals detected in ambient vehicle-noise environments are disclosed. The device and method provide for monitoring an ambient vehicle-noise environment for a hazard-noise signal. Upon detecting the hazard-noise signal, determining whether a source location of the hazard-noise signal closes on a monitoring location of the ambient vehicle-noise environment. When the source location of the hazard-noise signal closes on the monitoring location, generating announcement data relating to the hazard-noise signal, and transmitting the announcement data.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle running board includes a step moveable between a step position, a retracted position and an aero position. A first support bracket has a first end coupled to the step and an opposite second end connected to a mounting bracket. A slide link has a first end slideably connected to the first support bracket and an opposite second end pivotally connected to the step. The first end of the slide link is moveable along a length of the first support bracket and positionable at a first slide link distance from the second end of the first support bracket when the step is arranged in the step position and a second slide link distance from the second end of the first support bracket when the step is arranged in the aero position. The first slide link distance being greater than the second slide link distance.