A vehicle control system having a controller and a spatial database adapted to provide spatial data to the controller at control speed. The spatial data provided from the spatial database to the controller includes images collected from an optical sensor subsystem in addition to other data collected by a variety of sensor types, including a GNSS or inertial measurement system. The spatial data received by the controller from the database forms at least part of the control inputs that the controller operates on to control the vehicle. The advantage provided by the present invention allows control system to think directly in terms of spatial location. A vehicle control system in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention comprises a task path generator, a spatial database, at least one external spatial data receiver, a vehicle attitude compensation module, a position error generator, a controller, and actuators to control the vehicle.

Embodiments relate to a vehicle including a chassis that is moveable in a driving direction, two rear wheels moveably carrying the chassis on the rear side seen in the driving direction, two front wheels moveably carrying the chassis on the front side seen in the driving direction, a steering wheel for turning a steering column around a rotation axis for steering the front wheels, and a steering angle sensor for measuring a rotation angle of the steering column around the rotation axis with an encoder that is stationary to the steering column and with a magnet sensor that is disposed axially displaced distance from the encoder on the rotation axis.

A vehicle system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a steering system configured to steer the vehicle. The system further comprises a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer and control a motion of the vehicle at a rate aligning the hitch ball with the coupler position. In response to the rate below a speed threshold, the controller activates a standstill mode suspending a steering control of the steering system.

Vehicles, control systems for vehicles, and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a frame structure, a front section, a rear articulation section, and a control system. The front section is coupled to the frame structure and to a front plurality of wheels supported for movement on a front axle. The rear articulation section is coupled to the frame structure and to a rear plurality of wheels supported for movement on a rear axle. The rear articulation section is pivotally coupled to the front section via an articulation joint and arranged opposite the front section along a vehicle axis. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a mode selector configured to provide input indicative of a mode selected by an operator in use of the vehicle and a controller communicatively coupled to the mode selector.

Heating and/or cooling a vehicle interior, and in particular a steering wheel, may include receiving a heating/cooling request, automatically directing heated/cooled air from an HVAC duct through louvers adjacent to a steering wheel into a passenger compartment, and automatically rotating the steering wheel back-and-forth to change the location where the heated/cooled air is blown onto the steering wheel. This may include automatically telescoping and automatically tilting the steering wheel as well. Moreover, an infrared camera may be employed to determine where best to rotate the steering wheel for heating/cooling.

A vehicle steering assembly and method for steering a vehicle includes an array of electromagnets fixed relative to the vehicle, and a charged plate that is moveable with respect to the array and connected to a wheel that determines the travel direction of the vehicle. When activated, the electromagnets produce a charge that is opposite that of the charged plate, thus attracting the charged plate. The electromagnets are selectively activated to move a centroid of a charged region about the array to thereby move the charged plate in a desired direction. Movement of the charged plate causes a corresponding movement of the wheel to which it is connected. Movement of the wheel thus establishes a travel direction for the vehicle.

Disclosed is an air supply system for a whole vehicle, which is intended to solve the technical problem that it is hard to provide a multi-position and controllable air supply solution for an electric vehicle. A first air source device, a control valve and a pipeline constitute a first-type air supply system, the first-type air supply system has multiple air passages, each air passage is respectively provided with an air supply port, and a controller can switch operating states of the control valve, control the opening or closing of the multiple air passages, and achieve controllable air supply effects in multiple positions. A second air source device and several pipelines constitute a second type of air supply system, the second type of air supply system has multiple air passages, each air passage is respectively provided with an air supply port, and a controller can switch operating states of the second air source device, control the opening or closing of the multiple air passages, and achieve controllable air supply effects. The first type of air supply system and the second type of air supply system are rationally configured on the electric vehicle, so as to achieve multi-position and controllable air supply effects.

Disclosed is an air supply system for a whole vehicle, which is intended to solve the technical problem that it is hard to provide a multi-position and controllable air supply solution for an electric vehicle. A first air source device, a control valve and a pipeline constitute a first-type air supply system, the first-type air supply system has multiple air passages, each air passage is respectively provided with an air supply port, and a controller can switch operating states of the control valve, control the opening or closing of the multiple air passages, and achieve controllable air supply effects in multiple positions. A second air source device and several pipelines constitute a second type of air supply system, the second type of air supply system has multiple air passages, each air passage is respectively provided with an air supply port, and a controller can switch operating states of the second air source device, control the opening or closing of the multiple air passages, and achieve controllable air supply effects. The first type of air supply system and the second type of air supply system are rationally configured on the electric vehicle, so as to achieve multi-position and controllable air supply effects.

An approach for automated differentially steering either three-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicles in response to input data collected from sensors associated with characteristics of vehicular movement is suitable for vehicles that travel at speeds about or exceeding 15 miles/hour. An automated differential vehicular steering system comprising such an approach includes a drive control computer including a closed loop vehicular motional controller, a plurality of sensing systems comprised of one or more wheel sensors, one or more inertial sensors measuring vehicular movement, and software for modeling a response to outputs from the plurality of sensing systems. The design of the differential vehicular steering system enables improvements in autonomous or unmanned driving, as no user input is needed for steering.

A two-axis spherical wheel or ball-wheel is provided wherein hemispheres (or spherical caps) rotate independently about a transverse or spherical axis and rotate dependently about an axial or longitudinal axis. In this way, a ball-wheel supports a vehicle chassis and drives (e.g., translates or rotates) the vehicle in any direction. Systems of ball-wheels are also disclosed. Two, three, four, or more ball-wheels can be joined in a system to support, translate, and/or rotate a vehicle without requiring the vehicle to turn. The ball-wheels include protective features to prevent debris from entering a drive system. Protective features may include springs and/or dampers to absorb impact forces on the vehicle chassis. Orienting the ball-wheels about a center point of the vehicle chassis enhances support and control of the vehicle.