A Shock-Absorbing Energy Dissipation Padding (SAEDP) is coupled to the compartment of an autonomous on-road vehicle, and is located, during normal driving, at eye level in front of an occupant who sits in a front seat of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a stiff element that supports the SAEDP and resists deformation during collision in order to reduce compartment intrusion. The stiff element is located, during normal driving, at eye level between the SAEDP and the outside environment. Optionally, a camera takes video of the outside environment in front of the occupant, and a computer generates for the occupant a representation of the outside environment.

A light shading module is integrated with a vehicle window and is configured to be in different states that involve different values of Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) of the vehicle window. A camera fixed to the vehicle takes video of the outside environment. A computer generates a video see-through (VST) of the outside environment, which is presented to the vehicle's occupant on an augmented reality device (ARD). In order to improve the image quality, the ARD operates according to different modes involving varying intensities, depending on the VLT of the window.

A light shading module is integrated with a vehicle window and is configured to be in different states that involve different values of Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) of the vehicle window. A camera fixed to the vehicle takes video of the outside environment. A computer generates a video see-through (VST) of the outside environment, which is presented to the vehicle's occupant on an augmented reality device (ARD). In order to improve the image quality, the ARD operates according to different modes involving varying intensities, depending on the VLT of the window.

A large mirroring element is located in front of an occupant who sits in a front seat of an autonomous on-road vehicle. The large mirroring element provides the effect of reflecting light arriving from the occupant's direction. Optionally, a camera takes video of the outside environment in front of the occupant, sends the video to a computer that generates a representation of the outside environment in front of the occupant at eye level, and a display located in front of the occupant presents the representation to the occupant.

A large mirroring element is located in front of an occupant who sits in a front seat of an autonomous on-road vehicle. The large mirroring element provides the effect of reflecting light arriving from the occupant's direction. Optionally, a camera takes video of the outside environment in front of the occupant, sends the video to a computer that generates a representation of the outside environment in front of the occupant at eye level, and a display located in front of the occupant presents the representation to the occupant.

A vehicle frame includes: a pair of right and left side frames; plural cross members connecting the pair of right and left side frames; and a pair of right and left push members obliquely extending forward and also toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, from right and left ends of one of the cross members in front of a cabin. The frame further includes: a pair of right and left first diagonal members obliquely extending backward from positions opposing the push members across one cross member to connect the one cross member with an intermediate portion of another cross member behind the one cross member; and a second diagonal member obliquely extending backward in V shape from a position opposing the first diagonal members across the other cross member to connect the other cross member with inner surfaces of the right and left side frames behind it.

A vehicle frame includes: a pair of right and left side frames; plural cross members connecting the pair of right and left side frames; and a pair of right and left push members obliquely extending forward and also toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, from right and left ends of one of the cross members in front of a cabin. The frame further includes: a pair of right and left first diagonal members obliquely extending backward from positions opposing the push members across one cross member to connect the one cross member with an intermediate portion of another cross member behind the one cross member; and a second diagonal member obliquely extending backward in V shape from a position opposing the first diagonal members across the other cross member to connect the other cross member with inner surfaces of the right and left side frames behind it.

Described herein is utilization of nontransparent Shock-Absorbing Energy Dissipation Padding (SAEDP) in an autonomous on-road vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a side window located at eye level of an occupant who sits in the vehicle. The side window enables the occupant to see the outside environment. A motor is configured to move the SAEDP over a sliding mechanism between first and second states. A processor is configured to command the motor to move the SAEDP from the first state to the second state responsive to an indication that a probability of an imminent collision reaches a threshold. In the first state, the SAEDP does not block the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment, and in the second state, the SAEDP blocks the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment in order to protect the occupant's head against hitting the side window during collision.

Described herein is utilization of nontransparent Shock-Absorbing Energy Dissipation Padding (SAEDP) in an autonomous on-road vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a side window located at eye level of an occupant who sits in the vehicle. The side window enables the occupant to see the outside environment. A motor is configured to move the SAEDP over a sliding mechanism between first and second states. A processor is configured to command the motor to move the SAEDP from the first state to the second state responsive to an indication that a probability of an imminent collision reaches a threshold. In the first state, the SAEDP does not block the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment, and in the second state, the SAEDP blocks the occupant's eye level view to the outside environment in order to protect the occupant's head against hitting the side window during collision.

A vehicle frame has a first side member, a second side member and a cross-member. The first and second side members extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The cross-member extends in a vehicle lateral direction between the first and second side members. The cross-member is fixed to the first side member and the second side member. A mid-portion of the cross-member has a first upright wall and a second upright wall spaced apart from one another defining a hollow area therebetween. A bulkhead is installed within the cross-member between the first upright wall and the second upright wall. The bulkhead has a plurality of surface sections that extend between the first upright wall and the second upright wall and perpendicular to the first upright wall and the second upright wall. The bulkhead is configured to restrict movement of the first upright wall relative to the second upright wall.