A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A side mirror assembly of a vehicle is provided herein. The side mirror assembly includes a body portion and a camera mounted to the body portion for capturing images of a rear and a side-vehicle operating environment. The camera includes a horizontal field of view angle defined by a first horizontal extent intersecting a centerline longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a second horizontal extent making an angle with a lateral axis of the vehicle that intersects the camera.

A method for determining a distance between a camera positioned on a rear portion of a tow vehicle and a trailer coupler supported by a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle as the tow vehicle approaches the trailer. The method includes identifying the trailer coupler of the trailer within one or more images of a rearward environment of the tow vehicle. The method also includes receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image from the one or more images and a previously received image from the one or more images. The method includes determining the distance based on the identified trailer coupler, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference, the distance includes a longitudinal distance, a lateral distance, and a vertical distance.

An elongate crossbar is provided with adjustable length. Ends of the crossbar are spaced from each other a distance matching a spacing between longitudinally extending frame members of a vehicle which has had its driveline detached from drive wheels and needs to be suspended. A saddle is attached to the crossbar with the saddle having a rest area the driveline can rest upon. Ends of the crossbar preferably include brackets which grip portions of the frame members. The crossbar can include a spring which urges first and second ends of the crossbar away from each other, and with a lock nut acting on a threaded shaft at a first end of the crossbar to lock the crossbar at a desired length once positioned. The saddle preferably includes hooks at the ends of arms on either side of the rest area so that the saddle can conveniently suspend from the crossbar.

Systems and methods are provided for reducing a variation of force between a trailer and a towing vehicle and for maintaining the performance of the towing vehicle when the trailer is attached to it. A trailer may be configured to attach to a towing vehicle. The trailer may comprise a load sensor configured to detect a towing force between the trailer and the towing vehicle and to generate a load signal based on the towing force. The trailer may also comprise a control system coupled to the load sensor that includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The motor may be configured to apply a propulsive force to the trailer. The control system may be configured to receive the load signal and to decrease the propulsive force based on the load signal. The increasing or decreasing of the propulsive force may reduce the towing force.

A method for determining the presence of a trailer (12) attached to a vehicle (10), the method comprising: controlling a vehicle system to obtain a primary indication of the presence of a trailer (12); controlling one or more further vehicle systems to obtain one or more secondary indications of the presence of a trailer (12); and determining a confidence level for the presence of a trailer (12) attached to the vehicle (10) in dependence on the primary indication and the or each secondary indication.

Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a trailer detection system. The trailer detection system includes an image sensor configured to detect a trailering load attached to the vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the image sensor. The ECU is configured to determine the vehicle is operating in a tow mode, determine a frontal area of the trailering load, determine a category of the trailering load based on the frontal area, and adjust a pedal gain based on the category of the trailering load.

A method is provided for charging a battery-operated vehicle having a chargeable traction energy store and a system for autonomously guiding the vehicle with a charging vehicle having an energy generator and/or an energy store. The method forms at least one electrical coupling between the battery-operated vehicle and the charging vehicle via an autonomous driving manoeuver of the battery-operated vehicle and/or the charging vehicle. A charging of the traction energy store of the battery-operated vehicle occurs via the energy generator and/or the energy store of the charging vehicle during the driving of the paired battery-operated vehicle and charging vehicle.

A powered implement system having a ground utility robot, at least one three-point hitch, a means to connect the at least one three-point hitch to at least one end of the ground utility robot, at least one power take-off on the ground utility robot that is connectable to at least one implement, and where the ground utility robot controls and powers the at least one power take-off.

A system and method system for determining when an object detected by a collision avoidance sensor on one member of an articulated vehicle comprises another member of the vehicle are provided. The system includes a collision avoidance sensor disposed on a first member of the vehicle and configured to detect an object within a field of view of the sensor on a side of the first member of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller configured to determine an articulation angle between the first member of the vehicle and a second member of the vehicle and to determine in response to the articulation angle, whether the second member of the vehicle is the object within the field of view of the collision avoidance sensor on the first member of the vehicle.