A representative spacecraft system includes a launch vehicle elongated along a launch vehicle axis and having at least one stage carrying a corresponding rocket engine. The representative system further includes an annular support structure carried by the at least one stage and positioned to support a cargo spacecraft having a service module and a cargo module. The cargo module of the cargo spacecraft is positioned along the launch vehicle axis in a direction distal from the support structure, and at least a portion of the service module of the cargo spacecraft positioned within an annulus of the support structure.

A cargo bed extension system includes: a cargo bed; a tailgate configured to pivot to a down position via one or more first hinges, where the tailgate includes: an outer portion having first lateral sides and one or more second hinges; an inner portion having second lateral sides that are disposed adjacent to the first lateral sides when the tailgate is in the down position, where the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges, where the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the down position; at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position; and at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly and to directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position.

Systems, methods, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and devices associated with the operation of a vehicle are provided. For example, a receptacle system can determine states of a receptacle of a vehicle. Further, the states of the receptacle can be associated with accommodation of objects by the receptacle. The receptacle system can receive object data that includes information associated with accommodation of the objects by the receptacle. The receptacle system can also determine operations associated with the receptacle based at least in part on the object data and the states of the receptacle. Furthermore, the receptacle system can generate control signals to perform the operations associated with the receptacle which can include transporting objects in the receptacle, charging objects in the receptacle, extending the receptacle, or retracting the receptacle.

The present application relates to a caravan. The caravan includes a chassis and a body for being carried by the chassis and defining a tapering tail. The tapering tail provides for improved rear clearance and maneuverability when backing into tight spaces. The caravan includes one or more storage modules for being releasably fastenable to the body.

The present invention provides a control module (10) for controlling powered operation of a platform (2) for a vehicle compartment (101) that is movable between a first position in which the platform engages a moveable structure (102) of the vehicle (100) and a second position; wherein the control module (10) is configured to control movement of the platform (2) from the second position to the first position by first controlling a powered actuation means (5) to move the platform (2) from the second position through the first position and into a third position, and then controlling the powered actuation means (5) to move the platform (2) from the third position into contact with the moveable structure (102) to thereby bring the platform (2) into the first position.

A delivery container is designed to fit into the rear passenger compartment of a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle (AV) that makes deliveries without a human driver. The delivery container has a drawer that can move from one side of the delivery container near a first rear door to the other side of the delivery near the opposite rear door. A single load of items can be accessed from the same side of the AV, or two different loads may be accessed from the same side. The drawer can automatically or manually move items from one side of the vehicle to the other.

A representative spacecraft system includes a launch vehicle elongated along a launch vehicle axis and having at least one stage carrying a corresponding rocket engine. The representative system further includes an annular support structure carried by the at least one stage and positioned to support a cargo spacecraft having a service module and a cargo module. The cargo module of the cargo spacecraft is positioned along the launch vehicle axis in a direction distal from the support structure, and at least a portion of the service module of the cargo spacecraft positioned within an annulus of the support structure

An automobile having a cargo space, a rear door opening for accessing the cargo space and a door pillar which delimits the rear door opening. The vehicle has a rack which in a stowed state is arranged entirely in the cargo space and is at least partially concealed by the door pillar as viewed from outside the automobile in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis of the automobile, and in a deployed state is arranged at least partially outside the cargo space. The vehicle has a transfer mechanism to transfer the rack between the stowed state and the deployed state via the rear door opening, wherein the transfer mechanism is configured such that, during a transfer of the rack from the stowed state into the deployed state, the rack moves inward in the direction of the vehicle transverse axis of the automobile.

A bed extender is provided for a bed of a truck. That bed extender includes a reel mounted to a first sidewall of the bed, a line received on that reel, and a fastener carried on a distal end of the line. An anchor is carried on a second sidewall of the bed. In addition, the bed extender includes a support arm including a receiver that engages the line when the line is extended from the reel and fastened to the anchor. The support arm is mounted to the tailgate of the truck.

Disclosed herein is a retractable cargo box assembly for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The retractable cargo box assembly includes a cargo box. The cargo box includes a base extending laterally between a first side and a second side, and extending longitudinally between a front end and a rear end. A linear wheel assembly is mounted to the base. The linear wheel assembly includes a plurality of rollers aligned in a linear arrangement between the front end and the rear end of the base. The rollers are configured to rotatably support the cargo box on the cargo bed of the vehicle between a retracted position and an extended position.