A method of wrapping an article such as a vehicle, the method comprises applying a wrapping film to a vehicle and locating a thermochromics material in, adjacent or proximate an area requiring post-heating, heating the wrapping film to effect a post-heating operation until the thermochromics material changes colour.

A method of wrapping an article such as a vehicle, the method comprises applying a wrapping film to a vehicle and locating a thermochromics material in, adjacent or proximate an area requiring post-heating, heating the wrapping film to effect a post-heating operation until the thermochromics material changes colour.

A cross bar for mounting a vehicle topper to a roof of a vehicle is provided. A center section has a rectangular cross section, a first end, and a second end. A first tapered section extends from the first end of the center section. A second tapered section extends from the second end of the center section. A longitudinal axis of the center section, the first tapered section, and the second tapered section extend primarily in the same direction.

A cross bar for mounting a vehicle topper to a roof of a vehicle is provided. A center section has a rectangular cross section, a first end, and a second end. A first tapered section extends from the first end of the center section. A second tapered section extends from the second end of the center section. A longitudinal axis of the center section, the first tapered section, and the second tapered section extend primarily in the same direction.

A u-shaped metal portion and a u-shaped plastic portion can be coupled together to define an interior rib receiving cavity between both the metal sides and the plastic sides. The u-shaped metal portion can include a first metal rib retention barb extending interiorly of the plastic portion in the interior rib receiving cavity and can be designed to engage the rib to couple the dual material U-base fastener to a first component rib with the rib received within the interior rib receiving cavity. The u-shaped plastic portion can include a first plastic aperture retention wing extending exteriorly of the metal portion and designed to engage a second component aperture to couple the dual material U-base fastener to the aperture with the inner plastic and outer metal insertion ends extending through the aperture.

A u-shaped metal portion and a u-shaped plastic portion can be coupled together to define an interior rib receiving cavity between both the metal sides and the plastic sides. The u-shaped metal portion can include a first metal rib retention barb extending interiorly of the plastic portion in the interior rib receiving cavity and can be designed to engage the rib to couple the dual material U-base fastener to a first component rib with the rib received within the interior rib receiving cavity. The u-shaped plastic portion can include a first plastic aperture retention wing extending exteriorly of the metal portion and designed to engage a second component aperture to couple the dual material U-base fastener to the aperture with the inner plastic and outer metal insertion ends extending through the aperture.

A closing device for a storage compartment, in particular of a motor vehicle, having a closing element, slidable on a frame, for releasing or closing a frame opening of the frame, and a locking device for locking the closing element in at least one sliding position, wherein the locking device has at least one actuating handle, which is disposed on the closing element and projects from the closing element for gripping, and is coupled to the locking device for locking and releasing the locking. It is provided that the actuating handle is disposed displaceable on the closing element only in one plane, in particular parallel to the frame. The invention further relates to a storage compartment for a motor vehicle with such a closing device.

Disclosed are computer systems and techniques for authenticating a passenger of an autonomous vehicle and operating doors of the autonomous vehicle. For passenger authentication, the computer system is configured to receive a ride request, generate a passcode, transmit the passcode to a user account and the autonomous vehicle, authenticate the user using the passcode, and enable departure of the autonomous vehicle. For door operation, the computer system is configured to detect environmental conditions surrounding an autonomous vehicle, determine based on a set of operational conditions whether one or more doors of the autonomous vehicle are desirable for use, and operate a door if the door is safe to operate and desirable for operation.

Disclosed are computer systems and techniques for authenticating a passenger of an autonomous vehicle and operating doors of the autonomous vehicle. For passenger authentication, the computer system is configured to receive a ride request, generate a passcode, transmit the passcode to a user account and the autonomous vehicle, authenticate the user using the passcode, and enable departure of the autonomous vehicle. For door operation, the computer system is configured to detect environmental conditions surrounding an autonomous vehicle, determine based on a set of operational conditions whether one or more doors of the autonomous vehicle are desirable for use, and operate a door if the door is safe to operate and desirable for operation.

A badge assembly may include a badge having a display surface and an opposite mounting surface, and a sensor module mountable to a motor vehicle and including a deflectable wall with an electrically conductive film affixed thereto, and at least one sensor spaced apart from the electrically conductive film and configured to produce at least one sensor signal. The badge is mounted to the deflectable wall with at least one protrusion extending between and in contact with the mounting surface and the deflectable wall. The at least one protrusion concentrates force applied to the display surface of the badge to the deflectable wall to cause the deflectable wall to deflect toward the at least one sensor to produce a detectable change in the at least one sensor signal, the detectable change in the at least one sensor signal causing a change of state of the access closure.