Patent

Rivian already has a camp kitchen for the R1T, but this one comes out of the tailgate.

Ford continues to rethink pickup truck interiors to make them better work and social environments.

Ford has filed a patent application for a system that detects brake lights that could be used in future self-driving cars.

Four-point seat belts would better hold occupants in place during high-g driving, but Ferrari would have to get regulatory approval to use them.

Ford pickup beds may soon telescope to become longer, and include bed steps, stowable ramps, and split tailgates.

An arrangement that eliminates clack and maintains tension may help with safety, controllability, and tight spaces.

To address towing range anxiety in electric vehicles, Ford has developed bidirectional charging to connect an EV to a battery-equipped trailer.

A Ford patent would use coils in the road and an inductive transmitter in EVs to charge batteries.

Will Ford's future SUVs fly? Perhaps in a way.

GM's windshield heating system would use an EV battery's DC current to heat embedded elements in the glass.

Toyota's patent for kinetic seat cushions use twos sets of shock absorbers and are mounted on a subframe to limit driver movement due to vehicle forces.

The unique hinges would allow Rivian tailgates to swing down 180 degrees.

Aero add-ons could help electric cars cut through the wind more easily—and could aid performance EVs even more.

In the future, your EV charger may connect and disconnect itself.

The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e has a steer-by-wire system ready for use overseas, and a series of new patent applications indicate it could soon come to the U.S.

A Ford patent application describes in-vehicle tables that can pivot to face parallel or perpendicular to a vehicle's center line.

Ford's pop-up bed rail system could secure taller cargo and be used to lift cargo to bed height.

A patent application indicates Ford is exploring technology to let drivers know if they are being followed.

GM's tow-assist device would use electric motors to increase towing capacity and could be used to position a trailer when not hooked to a tow vehicle.

The lay-down front seats come with a retractable steering wheel and footrests.