A vehicle includes a body, an access aperture that is defined by the body, a closure panel, a load ramp, and a moisture sensor. The access aperture provides access to an interior of the vehicle. The closure panel selectively covers at least a portion of the access aperture. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a dosed position relative to the access aperture. The load ramp is deployably coupled to the closure panel. The load ramp includes a coupled end and a free end. The load ramp is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The moisture sensor is positioned proximate to the free end of the load ramp. Methods of controlling the vehicle are also disclosed.

Systems and methods are provided for preventing damage to a vehicle interior due to precipitation. The systems can include a location module, window control module, and rain sensor all communicatively linked to a processor. In the event a vehicle's windows are determined to be down, the processor can determine the likelihood of precipitation in the area of the vehicle's location. If precipitation is likely, the processor causes the rain sensor to be powered. If the rain sensor indicates the presence of precipitation, the processor directs the window control module to close the vehicle's windows.

The disclosure concerns a method for the remote-controlled operation of a tailgate of a motor vehicle. A sensor arrangement of the motor vehicle detects environmental data of the motor vehicle. A control apparatus of the motor vehicle triggers the opening of the tailgate on receiving a wireless opening signal from an operator and triggers the closing of the tailgate on receiving a wireless closing signal from an operator. The control apparatus checks for the presence of at least one closure condition of the tailgate that is independent of the wireless closing signal based on the environmental data detected by the sensor arrangement during opening of the tailgate, and if the closure condition is present, the control apparatus triggers the closing of the tailgate.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method of determining a weather forecast, comprising receiving data indicative of ambient conditions from one or more sensors associated with a vehicle, determining if the data is indicative of a forecast of one or more weather conditions according to at least one predetermined condition, outputting data indicative of the forecast and configuring one or more systems of the vehicle responsive to the output data indicative of the forecast.

An apparatus and a method for controlling an opening and closing of vehicle windows are provided. The method includes receiving, by a controller, an open signal for at least one window disposed within the vehicle. Further, the controller detects a rainfall at an exterior of the vehicle using a sensor and opens and closes the windows based on the open signal and the detected rainfall.

An inflatable barrier (10) including a wall member (12) which includes at least one inflatable element, and at least one frame member (22), the frame member (22) including a guide formation (16), the at least one guide formation (16) including a channel in which at least a part of a corresponding guide member (24), which is carried by the wall member (12), is receivable, wherein in use, at least a part of the guide member (24) is able to travel along the channel of the guide formation (16), to at least assist in erecting the wall member (16) from an inactive position to an in use position.

System and method for triggering the opening of a passenger vehicle's electric side windows and/or sunroof window in case of unexpected events such as, but not limited to submersion, collision, rollover, collisions involving rollovers, fire, as well as certain ranges of oxides and volatile organic compounds and/or other harmful gases present within the vehicle; and to give drivers and passengers the opportunity to exit the vehicle in such situations.