The technology relates to enhancing the operation of autonomous vehicles. Extendible sensors are deployed based on detected or predicted conditions around a vehicle while operating in a self-driving mode. When not needed, the sensors are fully retracted into the vehicle to reduce drag and increase fuel economy. When the onboard system determines that there is a need for a deployable sensor, such as to enhance the field of view of the perception system, the sensor is extended in a predetermined manner. The deployment may depend on one or more operating conditions and/or particular driving scenarios. These and other sensors of the vehicle may be protected with a rugged housing, for instance to protect against damage from the elements. And in other situations, deployable foils may extend from the vehicle's chassis to increase drag and enhance braking. This may be helpful for large trucks in steep descent situations.

The present invention relates generally to the field of camera covers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle camera cover for exterior cameras of a vehicle. The cover is comprised of a base that is further comprised of a padded magnet or adhesive layer that allows the cover to magnetically or adhesively attach to the exterior surface of a vehicle. A magnetic base layer with a magnetic bottom surface further attaches to the top surface of the magnet layer, and is comprised of a hinge. A transparent lid further attaches to the hinge, wherein the outer surface of the hinge is comprised of a water-repelling coating. Therefore, the cover ensures precipitation or debris cannot obstruct, cover, or damage the exterior cameras of a vehicle, and wherein the cover can be removed as desired without damaging the exterior vehicle surface.

A surveillance equipment platform mounting in an interior cabin of a vehicle. The interior cabin of the vehicle has a roof with an opening. The surveillance equipment platform includes a retractable telescoping structure having surveillance equipment mounted so as to extend through the opening of the roof, and to fully retract into the interior cabin. The surveillance equipment platform also includes a sealing device that mounts to the retractable telescoping structure below the surveillance equipment and oriented parallel to the roof of the interior cabin. The sealing device includes an elastically deformable gasket that elastically deforms during travel of the sealing device through the roof of the interior cabin when the surveillance equipment extends through the opening in the roof during extension of the retractable telescoping structure, and when the surveillance equipment retracts into the interior cabin during retraction of the retractable telescoping structure.

The technology relates to enhancing the operation of autonomous vehicles. Extendible sensors are deployed based on detected or predicted conditions around a vehicle while operating in a self-driving mode. When not needed, the sensors are fully retracted into the vehicle to reduce drag and increase fuel economy. When the onboard system determines that there is a need for a deployable sensor, such as to enhance the field of view of the perception system, the sensor is extended in a predetermined manner. The deployment may depend on one or more operating conditions and/or particular driving scenarios. These and other sensors of the vehicle may be protected with a rugged housing, for instance to protect against damage from the elements. And in other situations, deployable foils may extend from the vehicle's chassis to increase drag and enhance braking. This may be helpful for large trucks in steep descent situations.

Improved systems and methods for securing license plates are disclosed herein. In the preferred embodiments discussed, the systems and methods are applied to the securing of dealer license plates. There are numerous problems with the unauthorized or illegal use of these types of license plates, and the machine and software combination disclosed herein may provide solutions to at least some of these problems.

The technology relates to enhancing the operation of autonomous vehicles. Extendible sensors are deployed based on detected or predicted conditions around a vehicle while operating in a self-driving mode. When not needed, the sensors are fully retracted into the vehicle to reduce drag and increase fuel economy. When the onboard system determines that there is a need for a deployable sensor, such as to enhance the field of view of the perception system, the sensor is extended in a predetermined manner. The deployment may depend on one or more operating conditions and/or particular driving scenarios. These and other sensors of the vehicle may be protected with a rugged housing, for instance to protect against damage from the elements. And in other situations, deployable foils may extend from the vehicle's chassis to increase drag and enhance braking. This may be helpful for large trucks in steep descent situations.

In embodiments herein, a vehicle cover device is provided. The device includes a vehicle cover member and a housing for receiving the vehicle cover member, including a first housing member and a second housing member hingeably associated with one another. The housing includes a roller rotatably disposed there within for receiving the vehicle cover member, the roller having a first and a second end, and being rotatable to roll the vehicle cover member into a retracted position, and to extend the vehicle cover member. The housing includes a first end member and a second end member for abutting the first and second ends, respectively, of the roller, and a biasing member associated with at least one of the first end member or the second end member to bias the roller in the first rotatable direction, wherein vehicle cover member is movable between an extended and a retracted position.

A clip assembly is provided for a storage system, and includes a receiver clip and a floor clip. The receiver clip includes a base section and a support section, the support section having a main surface and a pair of arm extensions extending from opposing edges of the main surface to define a receiving region. The arm extensions each define a guiding ramp and a securing cavity. The floor clip includes a lower section and an upper section, the lower section comprising nobs extending from sidewalls thereof. The securing cavities of the receiver clip are configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the nobs of the floor clip so that the floor clip is hingedly connected to the receiver clip by the nobs, and the floor clip may pivot relative to the receiver clip between an open position and a closed position.

Provided is a receiving/transmitting device for vehicle that inhibits applied cleaning liquid from spoiling an outer appearance of a vehicle. A receiving/transmitting device for vehicle of the present invention includes: a receiver/transmitter configured to receive and/or transmit a radio wave; a transmissive cover positioned so as to be fixed relative to the receiver/transmitter; a receiver/transmitter moving unit configured to cause the cover and the receiver/transmitter to reciprocate between a receiving/transmitting position and a cleaning position; and a nozzle device configured to eject cleaning liquid toward the surface of the cover when the receiver/transmitter is at the cleaning position.

A concealing device for an imager of a vehicle includes a photochromic lens cover with an external surface that is co-extensive with an adjacent portion of the vehicle and disposed proximate a lens of the imager. The photochromic lens cover is operable between a first condition wherein the photochromic lens cover is exposed to ultraviolet light and darkens to a transmissivity of less than 15% and a second condition wherein the photochromic lens cover includes a transmissivity of greater than 50%.