A variable aerodynamic wheel includes: a spoke wheel having a plurality of spokes connecting a hub and a rim together are spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of through spaces defined between the plurality of spokes to allow air to pass therethrough; a variable flap rotatably disposed in the plurality of through spaces of the spoke wheel, and configured in a shape to cover an associated through space so as to open or close the associated through space according to a rotation angle thereof; and a drive unit disposed in the spoke wheel, and connected to the variable flap such that the rotation angle of the variable flap is adjusted as rotational power is transmitted.

A variable aerodynamic wheel includes: a spoke wheel having a plurality of spokes connecting a hub and a rim together are spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of through spaces defined between the plurality of spokes to allow air to pass therethrough; a variable flap rotatably disposed in the plurality of through spaces of the spoke wheel, and configured in a shape to cover an associated through space so as to open or close the associated through space according to a rotation angle thereof; and a drive unit disposed in the spoke wheel, and connected to the variable flap such that the rotation angle of the variable flap is adjusted as rotational power is transmitted.

A hubless wheel-based generator of a range extender and recharger for an electric vehicle. The wheel-based generator of a range extender and recharger includes an armature winding, rim, center ring, bearing inner ring, bearing outer ring, frame, cap sprocket, tire, permanent magnets, charge controller and battery bank. These components form a high efficiency, brushless generator design that utilizes the wheel well and or wheel cover, together with the mechanical energy of the tire itself to create a frictionless brushless generator that will deliver power to the engine directly or can be diverted to the battery bank for recharging. The generator can be built into the wheel well of the electric vehicle, placed in a side car-based system mounted alongside the vehicle or towed behind the vehicle in a portable charging system configured as a generator that uses the same principle of converting the mechanical energy of the tire into electricity.

An electric walking assisting vehicle configured such that in accordance with operating amounts acting on an operation part, driving of driving motors is controlled and includes an inclination detector which detects inclination of a vehicle body in a forward-backward direction, and on flat land where inclination is less than a threshold, with an operation origin of the operation part as a center, the driving motors are controlled to generate torque in a forward direction by operation of pushing the operation part forward and to generate torque in a backward direction by operation of pulling the operation part backward, on an uphill road on which the inclination is the threshold value or more, the operation origin is shifted to an pulling operation side, and on a downhill road on which the inclination is the threshold value or more, the operation origin is shifted to a pushing operation side.

A robot is provided, the robot comprising a body carrying a first drive arrangement, a second drive arrangement and a stabiliser. The robot further comprises actuators operable to cause relative movement of the first drive arrangement, the second drive arrangement and the stabiliser, and to drive the first and the second drive arrangements. The robot is arrangeable in first, second and third configurations each having static stability. In the first configuration, the stabiliser and the first drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the second configuration, the stabiliser and the second drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the third configuration, the first and the second drive arrangements are arranged to contact the ground. No other ground contacting point is involved in conferring said static stability in said configurations.

A motorized apparatus includes an articulated body assembly, a plurality of wheels coupled to the articulated body assembly, and at least one maintenance device coupled to the articulated body assembly. The articulated body assembly includes a first body and a second body. The articulated body assembly includes a joint coupling the first body to the second body. The first body is pivotable relative to the second body about a pivot axis extending through the joint. At least one wheel is transitionable between a first position and a second position. The motorized apparatus also includes a motor drivingly coupled to the plurality of wheels and configured to move the articulated body assembly relative to a surface. The motorized apparatus further includes at least one magnet coupled to the at least one wheel.

An attachment for a vehicle wheel enables driving operation with limited tire function. The attachment may include a base body, a tread surface for contacting a road surface, at least one bracing apparatus configured to engage with a hook portion behind a portion of a rim of the vehicle wheel and a bracing mechanism having a contact portion configured to actuate the bracing apparatus and to bring the hook portion into engagement behind the portion of the upon actuation of the contact portion.

The improved mobile robot utilizes a cooperative wheeled support arrangement having a unique axle design that preferably cooperates with a base support module. A tri-axle is preferably used to support at least one omni-wheel on each axle section. Multiple omni-wheels on each section can be used for higher load applications. The tri-axle is of a fixed design and each wheel pivots on the individual axle section. Preferably, the axle sections are welded to each other.

Automated storage and retrieval systems which include robots that move along ceilings and/or walls to retrieve and/or transport goods. The robots use magnetic adhesion to hold to the surfaces. The robots adjust the magnetic adhesion force in response to changes in weight or other conditions.

Automated storage and retrieval systems which include robots that move along ceilings and/or walls to retrieve and/or transport goods. The robots use magnetic adhesion to hold to the surfaces. The robots adjust the magnetic adhesion force in response to changes in weight or other conditions.