The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus to automatically maneuver a wheelchair relative to a vehicle. The vehicle has a first sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor, and the wheelchair has a second sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor. The automatic maneuver is carried out both on the basis of sensor signals from the first sensor arrangement and on the basis of sensor signals from the second sensor arrangement.

An automatic device for storing wheelchairs behind vehicles is provided. The wheelchair storage device is configured to mount to the exterior of a vehicle on the vehicle's roof rack. The storage device includes a horizontal and vertical arm, that when activated by a motor, uses a series of motors and gears to move a wheelchair attached to the vertical arm to the rear of the vehicle. A storage platform is further provided that receives and secures the wheelchair behind the vehicle. The motors of the storage device may be powered by the vehicle's engine, and a remote may be provided for user control.

A scooter lift having a wireless remote control that only signals the lift to raise or lower a platform when the remote control is positioned behind the automobile. The remote control only transmit signals if it has a clear line of sight with a transmitter eye located on the back of the control box for the scooter lift. An accelerometer prevents lowering of the platform when it detects motion.

An apparatus for carrying a wheelchair, scooter or other object on the exterior of a vehicle. The apparatus may comprise a vertical slide and to horizontal slides. The horizontal slides may be pivotably attached such that the object to be carried may be extended, for example, from the rear of a vehicle along the rear side of the vehicle pivoting around to a side of the vehicle and extending along the side of the vehicle to a desired position. Thus, a wheelchair may be carried on the rear side of a vehicle and extended along the rear and side of the vehicle so that a user to directly access the wheelchair by opening a vehicle door and having the wheelchair within reach. After removing the wheelchair from the apparatus, the apparatus may retract into a non-extended position. The apparatus may attach to a vehicle using a trailer hitch receiver.

The advanced life has brought the use of strollers, wheelchairs and carriers for easing the life and human care. However, handling these objects in and out of a vehicle has turned to be a practical problem. Commonly these units are lifted for placement in the trunk or inside a vehicle, however, manipulation of these units which have a noticeable weight and a rough shape are difficult and labor intensive. Particularly, by some mothers that does not have enough reserve doing other chores. This activity will increase the pain of those who just had C-sections or it can cause a new back and joint pains or worsen the existing ones. This application introduces methods and means to allow such a process to be done easily. This application introduces new units and methods which allows strollers and carriers and similar units to be placed inside a box means which is attached to the rear of a vehicle by use of a door that opens and stands on the ground to function as a ramp. This allows a wheeled unit to be wheeled up into the box and be kept inside the box means by means that are designed to prevent it from moving. The ramp will close as a door and locked. Thus this method will simplify the process of moving these objects and will practically eliminate the need for bending and lifting of such units. The box means will also function as a protector from rain, snow and bad environment.

A system for boarding a wheelchair on a vehicle is provided. The system includes a pair of tracks affixed to an interior of the vehicle, a panel slidably disposed on the pair of tracks, and a scissor lift mechanism having a first end affixed to the panel. The system also includes a platform configured for receiving the wheelchair, the platform affixed to a second end of the scissor lift mechanism, a first actuator configured to move the panel along the pair of tracks, and a second actuator configured to operate the scissor lift mechanism.

A restraint apparatus for securing a mobility device in a vehicle includes a base configured to being mounted to a floor of the vehicle, a support coupled to the base and extending upward therefrom, and a backing plate adjustably coupled to the support. The backing plate defines a channel to provide vertical adjustment of the backing plate with respect to the support. An upper support is pivotally coupled to the backing plate, and a claw assembly is coupled to the upper support. The claw assembly includes a claw member and a latching member, where the latching member is pivotally coupled to the claw member to enable pivotal movement between an unlatched position and a latched position. A control system operably controls the pivotal movement of the latching member between its latched position to its unlatched positions. In the unlatched position, the claw assembly provides an opening for receiving the device.

Systems and methods that make it simpler for physically challenged users to store and retrieve a mobility device on or in a motor vehicle include autonomously storing the mobility device after the user enters the motor vehicle, and autonomously positioning the mobility device outside of a vehicle door when the user is ready to exit the motor vehicle. The systems use an ultra-wideband (UWB) system to determine location information for the mobility device.