A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90 to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing vehicle mass. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more operating parameters of the vehicle are obtained, and at least one qualifying period of time is identified in which the operating parameter or parameters are within a range of values associated with the parameter. A value that provides an estimate of the mass is then generated based on the one or more operating parameters.

A method for lateral dynamic stabilization of a single-track motor vehicle while negotiating a curve,in which the presence of an unstable driving state in the vehicle lateral direction is detected andas a function thereof, for the stabilization of the motor vehicle, at least one nozzle is activated, through which a medium is emitted perpendicularly to the wheel plane of a vehicle wheel.

A method for lateral dynamic stabilization of a single-track motor vehicle while negotiating a curve,in which the presence of an unstable driving state in the vehicle lateral direction is detected andas a function thereof, for the stabilization of the motor vehicle, at least one nozzle is activated, through which a medium is emitted perpendicularly to the wheel plane of a vehicle wheel.

A detection system for a vehicle includes at least one time-of-flight sensor configured to capture positional information about a contour of a towable device outside the vehicle. The detection system further includes control circuitry in communication with the at least one time-of-flight sensor. The control circuitry is configured to calculate a tilt of the contour based on the positional information about the contour. The control circuitry is further configured to compare the tilt to a threshold angle for the contour. The control circuitry is further configured to determine at least one stability condition of the towable device based on the comparison of the tilt to the threshold angle. The control circuitry is further configured to generate an output in response to determining the at least one stability condition.

A rectifying device includes: at least one front rectifying member that is disposed adjacent to projecting components on a rear side of a vehicle with respect to the projecting components to extend substantially along a vehicle width direction and project downward; and a rear rectifying member that is disposed at a center in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the front rectifying member to extend substantially along the vehicle width direction and project downward. The projecting components are disposed to at least partly project from an underside part of a vehicle body and provided as a pair apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

A rectifying device includes: at least one front rectifying member that is disposed adjacent to projecting components on a rear side of a vehicle with respect to the projecting components to extend substantially along a vehicle width direction and project downward; and a rear rectifying member that is disposed at a center in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the front rectifying member to extend substantially along the vehicle width direction and project downward. The projecting components are disposed to at least partly project from an underside part of a vehicle body and provided as a pair apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

Robotic systems include a frame or body with two or more wheels rotatably mounted on the frame or body and a motor for independently driving each wheel. A system controller generates a signal for actuating each motor based on information provided by one or more sensors in communication with the system controller for generating feedback signals for providing reactive actuation of the motors for generating one or more functions selected from the group consisting of forward motion, backward motion, hopping, climbing, and balancing. A power source is included for providing power to operate the drive motors, system controller and the one or more sensors.

Robotic systems include a frame or body with two or more wheels rotatably mounted on the frame or body and a motor for independently driving each wheel. A system controller generates a signal for actuating each motor based on information provided by one or more sensors in communication with the system controller for generating feedback signals for providing reactive actuation of the motors for generating one or more functions selected from the group consisting of forward motion, backward motion, hopping, climbing, and balancing. A power source is included for providing power to operate the drive motors, system controller and the one or more sensors.

A rocker bogie includes a first base which including a first wheel, a second wheel, and a third wheel each of which is configured to be in contact with a first flat surface, a second base including a fourth wheel which is configured to be in contact with the first flat surface, and a rotary shaft connecting the first base and the second base to each other such that the second base is rotatable with respect to the first base. The rotary shaft is parallel to a first straight line which connects a rotation center of the first wheel and a rotation center of the second wheel to each other and is disposed between a rotation center of the third wheel and the first straight line, and the fourth wheel is disposed at an opposite position to the third wheel across the first straight line.