The technology relates to cargo vehicles. National, regional and/or local regulations set requirements for operating cargo vehicles, including how to distribute and secure cargo, and how often the cargo should be inspected during a trip. However, such regulations have been focused on traditional human-driven vehicles. Aspects of the technology address various issues involved with securement and inspection of cargo before a trip, as well as monitoring during the trip so that corrective action may be taken as warranted. For instance, imagery and other sensor information may be used to enable proper securement of cargo before starting a trip. Onboard sensors along the vehicle monitor the cargo and securement devices/systems during the trip to identify issues as they arise. Such information is used by the onboard autonomous driving system (or a human driver) to take corrective action depending on the nature of the issue.

A tension monitoring device that attaches or clamps onto to a tensioned cargo load securing strap and wirelessly communicates the tension level to the driver via a remote device, such as a mobile smartphone. One or more devices may be installed on a vehicle or trailer to be simultaneously monitoring the tension conditions during transit. The tension signal from the device is received and processed by the mobile smartphone application to display the real-time tension relative to unsafe levels and transmit alerts to the driver when an unsafe or undesired condition occurs. The tension monitoring device includes an electromechanical sensor and microprocessor, powered by a battery, and packaged inside two hinged weatherproof housings for the ability to clamp onto a tensioned cargo strap.

A system includes a plurality of sensors arranged in a vehicle to monitor an item in a storage area of a vehicle. The system comprises a data processing module configured to process data from the sensors, determine whether the item in the storage area of the vehicle is likely to move within the storage area or is likely to fall from the vehicle during travel, and generate a first indication that the item is likely to move within the storage area or is likely to fall from the vehicle during travel. The data processing module is configured to determine whether the item has moved within the storage area or has fallen from the vehicle during travel and generate a second indication that the item has moved within the storage area or has fallen from the vehicle during travel.

A drive control system (S) includes a measurement portion (1) configured to detect an obstacle (R) in a transportation vehicle (T), and a load collapse determination portion (4) configured to acquire an arrangement of a transportation target (C) loaded on the transportation vehicle (T) based on measurement data of the measurement portion (1) to determine a load collapse of the transportation target (C) based on a change in the arrangement over time.

A system includes several load cells, each coupled to a lashing that secures shipping containers, accelerometer cells, each coupled to a shipping container at the top of a stack, and an inclinometer cell coupled to a cargo ship. The cells are configured to transmit data to a computer. All the cells comprise a processor programmed to acquire a time series of measurements and, preferably, decompose the time series into a sum of sinusoidal signals, each having a frequency and an amplitude. Alternatively, the computer can be programmed to decompose the time series. The computer is programmed to identify the signal components caused by the roll of the cargo ship or by resonances in shipping container stacks. The computer estimates cumulated damages caused by fatigue in the lashings and/or twist locks. The system is used to trigger alarms and/or schedule maintenance.

A method for detecting load shift of cargo on a vehicle and/or a trailer during transport, wherein cargo is restrained to the vehicle and/or the trailer by one or more restraining components. The method includes obtaining sensor data of the one or more restraining components via one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors are arranged on the vehicle and/or the trailer, receiving the obtained sensor data in a controlling circuitry, comparing the received sensor data over time in the controlling circuitry in order to establish differences in the received sensor data, and determining in the controlling circuitry whether any established differences in the received sensor data meet or exceed a set threshold for the one or more restraining components, wherein the set threshold is indicative of movement in the one or more restraining components capable of allowing load shift of the cargo.

A device for visually verifying tautness of a cargo strap includes a hinged body, itself including first and second platform surfaces configured to be shifted between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the first and second surfaces form a confronting relationship. The device further includes a light source disposed on the first platform and is configured to emit light parallel to the first platform surface.

A system and method for monitoring one or more objects that have been restrainedly secured to a vehicle by one or more restraint members. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured for monitoring one or more of a compressive or tensile stress or strain in one of the one or more restraint members, and a controller for periodically interrogating each of the plurality of sensors to ascertain a value of stress or strain detected by the respective sensor. When a change in the value of stress or strain is indicative of loosened or overtightened restraint members, a mitigation event is triggered.

A pair of insertion portions each having a through hole through which a lashing belt is inserted and extends are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, and coupled to each other with coupling portions. A tension detecting portion is provided at the coupling portions. The tension detecting portion extends, at a predetermined vertical distance from a line connecting the through holes of the pair of insertion portions to each other, in a width direction of the lashing belt. In a state where the lashing belt is inserted to extend through the pair of insertion portions, a surface of the lashing belt is brought into contact with the tension detecting portion, and the tension detecting portion is configured to be broken when a predetermined or greater tension is applied to the lashing belt.

The invention relates to a device for measuring the tension in a tensioning belt, comprising a retaining device for retaining a spring element, an elastically deformable spring element that is retained by the retaining device and on which a section of the tensioning belt can apply a force and elastically deform the spring element the ends of the spring element being moved closer to one another when the tensioning force increases, and an electronic sensor unit. The sensor unit comprises a sensor system that measures the deflection of the spring element and generates a data signal, and a transmitter for transmitting the data signal to a receiving unit. The sensor system is situated at the ends of the spring element. The sensor unit may also be used for documenting the measured values of the tension.