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.

This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods of accessing a container. In a particular implementation, a container includes a housing that defines a cavity and a ladder coupled to the housing. The ladder is movable relative to the housing while the ladder is coupled to the housing. The ladder is movable relative to the housing between: a first position in which the ladder is disposed within the cavity; and a second position in which the ladder is disposed outside the cavity.

An in-vehicle electronic device includes a host, a first camera, and a first driving device. The first camera is moveably connected to the host, and is configured to capture at least one image of an interior of a vehicle. The first driving device is connected to the first camera, and is configured to drive the first camera to slide between an extended position and a retracted position, so that when the first camera is at the extended position, the first camera is located outside the host, and when the first camera is at the retracted position, the first camera is located inside the host.

A vehicle bumper for a vehicle includes a bumper frame adapted for installing into one of a front end and a rear end of a vehicle to absorb impact in case of collision, and a function unit provided at the bumper frame. The function unit is incorporated with the bumper frame to form at least one of a flip type storage container, a drawer storage container and a detachable storage container for providing an additional storage to the vehicle, wherein the flip type storage container, the drawer storage container and the detachable storage container are located at different locations of the bumper frame, such that the flip type storage container, the drawer storage container and the detachable storage container are individually operated.

An evidence storage container is configured to be either removably or permanently attached to a law enforcement vehicle to secure seized items that may serve as evidence. The evidence storage container has a paper grasp structure for holding currency, driver's licenses, or other items of paper, as well as provisions to store a pen or pencil and drain holes to drain any moisture from precipitation.

A holding device for holding a held object is downsized to reduce an occupied space in an installation space. The holding device in which a holding mechanism for holding the held object is supported on a device main body so as to slidably project and retract includes a lock mounted on the holding mechanism and configured to lock the holding mechanism at an arbitrary projected position, the lock part including a first rotary body pivotally supported on the holding mechanism and configured to rotate upon application of certain operation, a second rotary body that rotates by a force directly or indirectly applied from the first rotary body by the rotation of the first rotary body, and an engagement part that moves between an engaged position at which the engagement part is engaged to the device main body and a disengaged position by the rotation of the second rotary body.

A vehicle storage system is provided having closable storage container which is slidably and removably mounted in a vehicle tailgate, the cover portion of which can serve as a work surface extension of the tailgate, and the interior of which contains reconfigurable dividing walls for separation of contents into discrete locations during both use and storage. One or more of these containers can be mounted, stacked or side by side, within an interior cavity of the tailgate or of a tailgate segment, that tailgate being lockable and removable from the vehicle. Full extension of the storage container from the tailgate interior can be achieved by a double draw slide mechanism. The tailgate end cover is enlarged for both aesthetic and supplemental support surface purposes.

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 invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle having a protective element which can be pivoted from a closed position into an open position, with an environment detection unit which can be moved into an active position for image detection by an extension movement and into a resting position by a retraction movement, in which the environment detection unit is arranged to be externally inaccessible behind the protective element located in the closed position, and having a drive unit acting on the environment detection unit for moving the environment detection unit, the environment detection unit having an end face facing the protective element and two has adjoining side surfaces and wherein a pressing element for pressing on the protective element during the extension of the environment detection unit and a separate closing element for closing the protective element during retraction of the environment detection unit are formed on at least one of the side surfaces.

Mounting tabs, kits and methods of using the mounting tabs where none previously existed or for replacing/repairing broken mounting tabs are disclosed. For example, the mounting tabs, kits and methods disclosed herein are well suited for the repair of high value components, including automotive components.