A front tow extended saddle configured for mounting a vehicle to a towing vehicle and a method of towing a vehicle using the front tow extended saddle are provided. The front tow extended saddle includes front, middle, and rear portions, with the front and rear portions extending along different planes. A protective cover extends along the front tow extended saddle and is supported above the wheels of the towing vehicle.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous electric vehicles may be automatically recharged by routing the vehicles to available charging stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A charge level of the battery of an autonomous electric vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a recharging threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to recharge may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a charging station, recharge the battery, and return to its starting location in order to recharge when not in use.

A directional vehicle recovery unit configured for recovery of a distressed vehicle spaced apart from a recovery vehicle is provided. The directional vehicle recovery unit includes a support framework attached to the recovery vehicle and a swing arm assembly attached to the support framework. The swing arm assembly is configured to support a winch cable. The swing arm assembly is rotatable such that with a winch cable attached to the distressed vehicle, a longitudinal axis of the swing arm assembly is substantially parallel with an axis formed by the winch cable.

A directional vehicle recovery unit configured for recovery of a distressed vehicle spaced apart from a recovery vehicle is provided. The directional vehicle recovery unit includes a support framework attached to the recovery vehicle and a swing arm assembly attached to the support framework. The swing arm assembly is configured to support a winch cable. The swing arm assembly is rotatable such that with a winch cable attached to the distressed vehicle, a longitudinal axis of the swing arm assembly is substantially parallel with an axis formed by the winch cable.

A tow aid system used while operating a wrecker adapted to tow a vehicle, the wrecker comprising an underlift arm extending rearward from the wrecker, wherein the underlift arm is adapted to lift at least a part of the vehicle for towing. The tow aid system comprises: axle load sensors mounted along different longitudinal positions on the wrecker, the axle load sensors generating signals indicative of loads along the different longitudinal positions; an underlift arm load sensor mounted about the underlift arm, the underlift arm load sensor generating signals indicative of a load applied on the underlift arm while holding the vehicle in a towing position; and a controller processing the signals from the axle load sensors and the underlift arm load sensor to calculate operating limits of the wrecker.

A tow aid system used while operating a wrecker adapted to tow a vehicle, the wrecker comprising an underlift arm extending rearward from the wrecker, wherein the underlift arm is adapted to lift at least a part of the vehicle for towing. The tow aid system comprises: axle load sensors mounted along different longitudinal positions on the wrecker, the axle load sensors generating signals indicative of loads along the different longitudinal positions; an underlift arm load sensor mounted about the underlift arm, the underlift arm load sensor generating signals indicative of a load applied on the underlift arm while holding the vehicle in a towing position; and a controller processing the signals from the axle load sensors and the underlift arm load sensor to calculate operating limits of the wrecker.

A debris containment device specifically adapted to prevent unwanted debris from falling off of a vehicle during transportation. The net is specifically adapted to connect to a vehicle and wraparound said vehicle so as to securely contain debris from a damaged vehicle. A net is provided with various connection portions configured to connect directly to the vehicle.

An anchor spade attachment is disclosed and includes a ground engaging component comprising a platform, a first plurality of teeth and a second plurality of teeth. A first body is longitudinally affixed to the ground engaging component. A second body is longitudinally affixed to the first body. A reinforcing plate is affixed to the platform, the first body, and the second body. The reinforcing plate is positioned orthogonal to the platform. The first plurality of teeth is positioned orthogonal and adjacent to the platform. The second plurality of teeth is positioned orthogonal and adjacent to the platform. The first body and the second body are each positioned orthogonal to the ground engaging component. The first body is centrally positioned on the platform. The platform longitudinally traverses the first body. The second body longitudinally traverses the first body. The second body extends beyond the first body.

An anchor spade attachment is disclosed and includes a ground engaging component comprising a platform, a first plurality of teeth and a second plurality of teeth. A first body is longitudinally affixed to the ground engaging component. A second body is longitudinally affixed to the first body. A reinforcing plate is affixed to the platform, the first body, and the second body. The reinforcing plate is positioned orthogonal to the platform. The first plurality of teeth is positioned orthogonal and adjacent to the platform. The second plurality of teeth is positioned orthogonal and adjacent to the platform. The first body and the second body are each positioned orthogonal to the ground engaging component. The first body is centrally positioned on the platform. The platform longitudinally traverses the first body. The second body longitudinally traverses the first body. The second body extends beyond the first body.

Methods and systems for identifying autonomous vehicle users are described herein. An autonomous vehicle may receive a request to transport a first user to a first destination location. While travelling along a route to the first destination location, the autonomous vehicle may receive a request to pick up a second user at a second starting location and transport the second user to a second destination location. The autonomous vehicle may travel to the second starting location when the second user is within the threshold distance of the autonomous vehicle. Upon arriving at the second starting location, the autonomous vehicle may detect whether a person approaching the vehicle is the second user by detecting a biometric identifier for the person. As a result, the second user may be allowed to enter the autonomous vehicle and/or the autonomous vehicle may begin travelling to the second destination location.