A truck having a tiltable platform or other cargo bed and its methods of use. In some embodiments, the rear suspension of the truck may be lowerable to lower the platform or bed while it undergoes tilting. In other embodiments the rear suspension need not be lowerable and the platform or bed may remain at constant height before, during and after tilting. An integrated hinge and inflatable air bags may be used to move the platform or bed between a horizontal position and a tilted position. One or more loading ramps are deployable to facilitate loading of different types of cargo or vehicles. The platform or bed may be equipped with holes in which pulleys for multiple angles can be placed. Shrouded air bags may be used to prevent unwanted movement or rattling of ramps or other structures.

An electrical vehicle (EV) rescue vehicle includes a mobile platform, which further includes a winch and a ramp. The mobile platform of the EV rescue vehicle is deployable for retrieving a disabled EV (a rescued vehicle) thereon with the winch and the ramp and for transportation of the disabled EV. A charging unit is associated with said mobile platform for connecting and charging of the disabled EV, either on a fixed location or during transport. A systems analysis module can be included with the system for testing a functionality of systems and components of the disabled EV and providing results of the testing to customers. The mobile platform can be provided as an EV rescue vehicle in a form of a trailer pulled by another vehicle or integrated with another vehicle (e.g., a truck). The EV rescue vehicle can also carry passengers associated with the disabled EV when the disabled EV is being transported, charged, and/or analyzed by the EV rescue vehicle.

An electrical vehicle (EV) rescue vehicle includes a mobile platform, which further includes a winch and a ramp. The mobile platform of the EV rescue vehicle is deployable for retrieving a disabled EV (a rescued vehicle) thereon with the winch and the ramp and for transportation of the disabled EV. A charging unit is associated with said mobile platform for connecting and charging of the disabled EV, either on a fixed location or during transport. A systems analysis module can be included with the system for testing a functionality of systems and components of the disabled EV and providing results of the testing to customers. The mobile platform can be provided as an EV rescue vehicle in a form of a trailer pulled by another vehicle or integrated with another vehicle (e.g., a truck). The EV rescue vehicle can also carry passengers associated with the disabled EV when the disabled EV is being transported, charged, and/or analyzed by the EV rescue vehicle.

Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. A computing device may receive data for the same road segment from autonomous vehicles, including (i) an indication of a location within the road segment, and (ii) an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may generate, from the data for the same road segment, an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a computing device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the computing device.

Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. A computing device may receive data for the same road segment from autonomous vehicles, including (i) an indication of a location within the road segment, and (ii) an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may generate, from the data for the same road segment, an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a computing device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the computing device.

Methods and systems for repairing a malfunctioning autonomous vehicle (AV) or semi-autonomous vehicle (SAV) are described herein. The AV or SAV may determine that an autonomous feature or sensor is malfunctioning and the extent of the damage to the autonomous feature or sensor. Then the AV or SAV may compare the extent of the damage to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the AV or SAV remains serviceable or otherwise road worthy. If the AV or SAV remains serviceable, the AV or SAV may locate the nearest repair facility having the necessary electronic components in stock and technical expertise for repairing the AV or SAV. Then the AV or SAV may request the nearest repair facility to send an autonomous repair vehicle to the current location of the AV or SAV to facilitate repair.

A winch assembly includes a first bracket configured to be positioned at a first lateral side of a vehicle, a second bracket configured to be positioned at a second lateral side of the vehicle, a first actuator and a second actuator configured to be coupled to a winch free spool device, a first bushing coupled to the first actuator, a second bushing coupled to the second actuator, and a lever arm coupled to both the first actuator and the second actuator and configured to interface with the winch free spool device. The first actuator and the second actuator are moveable to position the first bushing into engagement with the first bracket or position the second bushing into engagement with the second bracket to selectively lock the winch free spool device in an engaged position.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency.

A tow dolly cross rail assembly includes a male bar and a pair of female bars arranged in a slidable relationship, forming an arched configuration that creates a positive camber effect at dolly tires at the outer ends of the bars. The male bar comprises an apex that forms an angle that orients upwardly, forming an angle between about 165 to 179. The center male bar and pair of female bars are arranged in a slidable relationship with each other. The midpoint of the center male bar forms an apex. The inner end of female bars is in a slidable relationship with free ends of center male bar. The female bars telescopically slide along the free ends of center male bar for increasing and decreasing length of cross rail. The arched configuration of the center male bar slopes the female bars to create a positive camber at the dolly tires.

A device (1) for salvaging a motor vehicle involved in an accident, in particular a burning motor vehicle (12), from a danger zone has an extendable telescopic cylinder (2), at the tip of which at least one catch (5) is attached so that it can be folded in such a way that the motor vehicle (12) is carried along when the device (1) is pulled back.