Method for installing and uninstalling a sensor pod

A method of installing a sensor pod on a vehicle, the sensor pod having one or more sensors therein, and the method comprising:

• aligning a sensor pod arm of the sensor pod with a bracket attached to the vehicle, the sensor pod arm having a horizontal sensor pod arm axis and the bracket having a horizontal bracket axis;
• lowering the sensor pod arm onto the bracket such that the horizontal sensor pod arm axis is at an angle greater than zero with respect to the horizontal bracket axis;
• supporting a weight of the sensor pod with the one or more sensors on a support axle between the bracket and the sensor pod arm before rigidly coupling the sensor pod arm to the bracket;
• rotating the sensor pod arm into alignment with the bracket such that the horizontal sensor pod arm axis is aligned with the horizontal bracket axis;
• and
• securing the sensor pod arm to the bracket by rigidly coupling the sensor pod arm and the bracket.