Motor vehicles may be equipped with running board activated powered closure member systems. A powered opening or closing sequence of a closure member may be initiated by activating a running board assembly of the powered closure member system in response to a user input. The user input can be provided by a limb of the user, for example. In some embodiments, the running board assembly may include integrated sensors for receiving the user input. In other embodiments, the running board assembly may be configured to function as a switch for receiving the user input.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a step apparatus for a vehicle and a vehicle. In some embodiments, the step apparatus for the vehicle includes: a foot step; a load detection device coupled to the foot step for detecting a load applied to the foot step; a controller in communication with the load detection device and configured to receive and process a load signal detected by the load detection device and to determine whether the foot step is overloaded; and an alarm in communication with the controller. In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to generate an alerting signal to control the alarm to send out an alert when the foot step is overloaded.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a step apparatus for a vehicle and a vehicle. In some embodiments, the step apparatus for the vehicle includes: a foot step; a load detection device coupled to the foot step for detecting a load applied to the foot step; a controller in communication with the load detection device and configured to receive and process a load signal detected by the load detection device and to determine whether the foot step is overloaded; and an alarm in communication with the controller. In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to generate an alerting signal to control the alarm to send out an alert when the foot step is overloaded.

A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a frame sub-assembly that includes a driver side section, a passenger side section, and a connection member coupling the driver side section to the passenger side section. The assembly further includes a door sub-assembly disposed between the driver side section and the passenger side section. The door sub-assembly and the frame sub-assembly are pivotable together about a first axis between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position. The door sub-assembly is pivotable relative to the frame sub-assembly about a second axis between a door closed position and a door open position. The door sub-assembly in the door open position provides a cargo bed access opening that extends vertically downward at least as far as a floor of the cargo bed.

A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a frame sub-assembly that includes a driver side section, a passenger side section, and a connection member coupling the driver side section to the passenger side section. The assembly further includes a door sub-assembly disposed between the driver side section and the passenger side section. The door sub-assembly and the frame sub-assembly are pivotable together about a first axis between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position. The door sub-assembly is pivotable relative to the frame sub-assembly about a second axis between a door closed position and a door open position. The door sub-assembly in the door open position provides a cargo bed access opening that extends vertically downward at least as far as a floor of the cargo bed.

A step assembly to be attached to a crossbar of a vehicle, the step assembly including a base subassembly including first and second side brackets configured to be coupled to an upper surface of a crossbar of a vehicle, and a stair subassembly including a plurality of step members arranged between first and second side members, wherein proximal ends of each of the first and second side members are configured to be rotatably coupled to the respective first and second side brackets such that the stair subassembly is selectively rotatable between a deployed position and a stored position.

A step assembly to be attached to a crossbar of a vehicle, the step assembly including a base subassembly including first and second side brackets configured to be coupled to an upper surface of a crossbar of a vehicle, and a stair subassembly including a plurality of step members arranged between first and second side members, wherein proximal ends of each of the first and second side members are configured to be rotatably coupled to the respective first and second side brackets such that the stair subassembly is selectively rotatable between a deployed position and a stored position.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a vehicle having a passenger assistance system for facilitating ingress and egress of passengers. The vehicle may include a plurality of wheels. The vehicle may include a body including at least one doorway supported on the plurality of wheels via a suspension. The vehicle may include a door movable between an open position and a closed position covering the at least one doorway. The vehicle may include a first platform movable between a horizontal position beneath a bottom of the doorway and a stowed position parallel to the door. The vehicle may include an occupant compartment within the body. The occupant compartment may include a seat rotatable to face the doorway in an ingress or egress mode. The occupant compartment may include a robotic arm configured to extend along an ingress or egress path through the doorway.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a vehicle having a passenger assistance system for facilitating ingress and egress of passengers. The vehicle may include a plurality of wheels. The vehicle may include a body including at least one doorway supported on the plurality of wheels via a suspension. The vehicle may include a door movable between an open position and a closed position covering the at least one doorway. The vehicle may include a first platform movable between a horizontal position beneath a bottom of the doorway and a stowed position parallel to the door. The vehicle may include an occupant compartment within the body. The occupant compartment may include a seat rotatable to face the doorway in an ingress or egress mode. The occupant compartment may include a robotic arm configured to extend along an ingress or egress path through the doorway.

An assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a step assembly that is movable back-and-forth between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the step assembly is adjustable between a tailgate deployed position and a tailgate stowed position while the step assembly is removably coupled to a tailgate of a vehicle. In the second configuration, the step assembly is adjustable between a vehicle deployed position and a vehicle stowed position while the step assembly is removably coupled to an area of the vehicle other than the tailgate.