Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling 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 refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.

Systems and methods provide for enabling an autonomous vehicle to provide road assistance to a vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can analyze sensor data about the vehicle captured by one or more of its sensors as it navigates a route. Based on the analysis of the sensor data, the autonomous vehicle can determine that the vehicle needs maintenance. The autonomous vehicle can proactively send a request, based on the determination, to initiate a towing mechanism to tow the vehicle. Based on receiving an acceptance of the request from the vehicle, the autonomous vehicle can activate the towing mechanism.

A wrecker vehicle includes a chassis, a boom coupled with the chassis, and a hoist device coupled with the chassis, the hoist device configured to engage a line to position a piece of equipment relative to the chassis. The vehicle may also include a controller configured to receive rigging setup data. The controller may further determine a first utilization state, wherein the first utilization state is a line load utilization state of the line, and a second utilization state, wherein the second utilization state is a first block load utilization state of a first sheave block. Further, the controller may be configured to determine, based on a comparison of the first utilization state to a first threshold and the second utilization state to a second threshold, a rigging setup state, and provide an indication of the rigging setup state.

A wrecker vehicle includes a chassis, a boom coupled with the chassis, and a hoist device coupled with the chassis, the hoist device configured to engage a line to position a piece of equipment relative to the chassis. The vehicle may also include a controller configured to receive rigging setup data. The controller may further determine a first utilization state, wherein the first utilization state is a line load utilization state of the line, and a second utilization state, wherein the second utilization state is a first block load utilization state of a first sheave block. Further, the controller may be configured to determine, based on a comparison of the first utilization state to a first threshold and the second utilization state to a second threshold, a rigging setup state, and provide an indication of the rigging setup state.

A power charging system for a towing vehicle and towed vehicle combination for transferring high charging power from a charging device in the towing vehicle to an energy storage device on the towed vehicle. The power charging system is capable of safely transferring at least 1 kW of charging power. The power charging system includes a controller and sensors operably coupled to the controller via a communication system for safely powering the system when needed to charge the energy storage device, and safely de-powering the system prior to disconnecting the high-power charging circuit between the towing vehicle and the energy storage device.

A power charging system for a towing vehicle and towed vehicle combination for transferring high charging power from a charging device in the towing vehicle to an energy storage device on the towed vehicle. The power charging system is capable of safely transferring at least 1 kW of charging power. The power charging system includes a controller and sensors operably coupled to the controller via a communication system for safely powering the system when needed to charge the energy storage device, and safely de-powering the system prior to disconnecting the high-power charging circuit between the towing vehicle and the energy storage device.

An aid system for a wrecker adapted to perform a lifting operation of an object having a weight, the wrecker comprising an extendable boom wherein the extendable boom is adapted to perform the lifting operation through which the wrecker either hauls or lifts the object. The aid system comprises: sensors mounted to the wrecker adapted to collect intrinsic information associated with the wrecker and extrinsic information on the interaction of the wrecker with the operating environment or on the environment in which the lifting operation is performed; a processing unit adapted to collect and process data collected from the sensors to generate dynamic load chart data; and a display for displaying a graphical representation based on the dynamic load chart data, comprising a depiction of the wrecker and of a limit of an operating condition of the wrecker.

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 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.

The present invention relates to a special vehicle for extinguishing a vehicle fire, comprising a seating unit 100 in which a driver is seated, a loading unit 200 disposed at a rear end of the seating unit and configured to load a vehicle on fire, and a transfer unit 300 configured to transfer the vehicle into the loading unit, in which an opening portion through which the vehicle is transferred is formed at a rear side of the loading unit 200, in which the transfer unit 300 is hingedly and rotatably coupled to a lower end of the opening portion, in which the transfer unit 300 serves as a ramp for transferring the vehicle into the loading unit when the opening portion is opened, and in which the transfer unit 300 serves to isolate the loading unit 200 when the opening portion is closed.