Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.

Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.

A moving system includes a first driving wheel and a second driving wheel associated to a supporting structure and rotatable to move the system forward or backward on a supporting surface. The first and the second driving wheel each include a spherical portion, the first driving wheel being rotatable around a first rotation axis and the second driving wheel being rotatable around a second rotation axis. The moving system further includes an inclination system that varies the inclination of the first rotation axis of the first driving wheel and/or of the second rotation axis of the second driving wheel so as to vary the diameter of the rotation circumference formed by the points of contact with the ground.

A moving system includes a first driving wheel and a second driving wheel associated to a supporting structure and rotatable to move the system forward or backward on a supporting surface. The first and the second driving wheel each include a spherical portion, the first driving wheel being rotatable around a first rotation axis and the second driving wheel being rotatable around a second rotation axis. The moving system further includes an inclination system that varies the inclination of the first rotation axis of the first driving wheel and/or of the second rotation axis of the second driving wheel so as to vary the diameter of the rotation circumference formed by the points of contact with the ground.

Reduction of minimum turning radius of an aerial work platform. Drive motors are provided to driven wheels of the platform respectively, so that the driven wheels can be independently controlled in terms of rotational speed and rotation direction. When the steering angle of steered wheels is at most a first steering angle, constant velocity control is performed, driving both of the driven wheels in the same rotation direction and at the same rotational speed. When the steering angle exceeds the first steering angle and is at most a second steering angle, differential control is performed, reducing the rotational speed of the driven wheel on the inside in the turning direction relative to the driven wheel on the outside in the turning direction. When the steering angle exceeds the second steering angle, counter-rotation control is performed, counter-rotating the driven wheel that is on the inside in the turning direction.

An overbed table apparatus comprising a rail system and a first arm coupled to the rail system, comprising an extension portion configured to move along a first axis. An end effector can be coupled to the extension portion, wherein the end effector is perpendicularly oriented from the first arm. A first motor assembly can be configured to actuate a first actuator, wherein the first end of the first actuator is coupled to a first end of the first arm and the second end of the first actuator is coupled to the extension portion, wherein the first motor assembly and first actuator are configured to move the extension portion along an axis. A second motor assembly coupled to the end effector. The second motor assembly can be configured to rotate the end effector 360 degrees around an axis. The apparatus can include a control system to operate the apparatus.

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a front dig mode. The front dig mode is engaged in response to determining that speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold and determining that the amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the front dig mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, resistance is applied to forward rotation of the inner back wheel of the vehicle. Yet further, forward torque is provided to the outer back wheel of the vehicle.

Systems and mechanisms for facilitating concurrent positional adjustments of a seat with one or more steering controllers along a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, are disclosed. The embodiments provide a mechanism by which operators of a wide range of body types may comfortably occupy and use vehicles configured with lap bar controls, such as zero-turn radius mowers. In one example, the seat and steering controllers are both mounted on a support structure that is configured to be movable relative to a chassis of the vehicle.

An independent suspension system includes: a steering unit configured to adjust the steering angle of a wheel; a shock absorber engaged with the wheel in order to absorb impacts applied to the wheel and including a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber, each of which being arranged in a forward-rearward direction on opposite side surfaces of the wheel; and a link unit disposed between the shock absorber and the steering unit in order to vary the distance between the wheel and the steering unit. The link unit includes a first upper arm disposed between the first shock absorber and the steering unit, a second upper arm disposed between the second shock absorber and the steering unit, and a ground clearance adjustment unit engaged with the first and second upper arms in order to vary the distance between the first and second upper arms.

An independent suspension system includes: a steering unit configured to adjust the steering angle of a wheel; a shock absorber engaged with the wheel in order to absorb impacts applied to the wheel and including a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber, each of which being arranged in a forward-rearward direction on opposite side surfaces of the wheel; and a link unit disposed between the shock absorber and the steering unit in order to vary the distance between the wheel and the steering unit. The link unit includes a first upper arm disposed between the first shock absorber and the steering unit, a second upper arm disposed between the second shock absorber and the steering unit, and a ground clearance adjustment unit engaged with the first and second upper arms in order to vary the distance between the first and second upper arms.