This disclosure details vehicle front trunk utility systems for increasing the usefulness of front truck cargo spaces. In exemplary embodiments, a vehicle front trunk utility system includes a utility table that may be deployed between a first configuration in which the utility table functions as a floor liner of a cargo space of the front trunk and a second configuration in which the utility table functions as a tabletop or work space that extends away from the cargo space. The utility systems of this disclosure may additionally or alternatively include various other utility features including but not limited to storage compartments, lighting, battery and stereo interface panels, power outlets, etc.

A cargo area partition system for a vehicle includes a rear seat positioned within a cabin area of the vehicle and adjacent a cargo area in the vehicle. The rear seat includes a rear seat back that is pivotally positionable between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position. The system further includes a seat striker adapted to engage and to releasably fix the rear seat back in an upright position, and a partition panel configured to releasably engage the seat striker and define a partition in the cargo area when the rear seat back is positioned in the substantially horizontal position.

A vehicle status management apparatus includes: a sound detector that is disposed in an object storage compartment of a vehicle and that detects a sound generated in the object storage compartment; a camera that obtains an image by photographing an inside of the object storage compartment; a display disposed in the vehicle; and a controller that controls the display to display the image of the inside of the object storage compartment which is obtained through the camera when the sound is detected.

A storage compartment of a vehicle including a passenger compartment and a passenger compartment door controlling access to the passenger compartment. The storage compartment includes a base and a side wall surrounding a storage volume. The storage compartment is located forward of a footwell of the passenger compartment, the storage compartment is further positioned so that an opening to the storage volume is accessible from a lateral side of the vehicle.

Apparatus to store a mobility device in a lift gate of a vehicle are described herein. An example apparatus includes a lift gate of a vehicle and a mobility device coupled to an interior of the lift gate.

A luggage board apparatus for a vehicle includes an upper board and a lower board. The upper board and the lower board are capable of moving together in a vertical direction, and the upper board is capable of moving in a front-rear direction with respect to the lower board. A shopping cart may be seated, loaded and stored on the luggage board by using a slide rail provided on the luggage board and a slide roller coupled to the slide rail on the luggage board.

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for changing vehicle configuration based on vehicle storage compartment contents. At an autonomous vehicle, a camera is mounted inside a storage compartment. The camera monitors the interior of the storage compartment. The camera can confirm that the storage compartment is empty when it is supposed to be empty and contains an object when it is supposed to contain an object. Any discrepancies can be reported to a human operator. The human operator can instruct the autonomous vehicle to change configuration to address discrepancies. In one aspect, a machine-learning camera memorizes a background pattern permeated to a surface of the storage compartment. The machine-learning camera detects objects in the storage compartment based on disturbances to the background pattern.

A method of operating a moving object on which a drone is mounted includes detecting, by the moving object, occurrence of an event; determining whether to use the drone, on the basis of the detected event; and determining an operation mode, among a first operation mode and a second operation mode, of the drone when the drone is used.

This toolbox will be mounted in a pickup truck bed and will expand to create space for a toolbox if needed and will also collapse when a toolbox is not needed. It is secured to the front wall of the pickup truck bed and will take up a minimum amount of space when it is not being used as a toolbox. A lock to secure the contents of the toolbox is also provided when the toolbox is in use. The top surface of the toolbox will remain flush with the pickup truck bed to avoid obscuring the view of the driver.

A freestanding holder device to secure cargo items of different sizes or orientation in different types of cargo area comprises a horizontal base section and a wall section extending from one side of the base section, wherein the wall section comprises at least one vertical indentation forming a recess in the wall section and the underside of the base section comprises a high friction surface. The high friction surface comprises a rubber or elastomer material.