A self-propelled device is provided including a drive system, a spherical housing, and a biasing mechanism. The drive system includes one or more motors that are contained within the spherical housing. The biasing mechanism actively forces the drive system to continuously engage an interior of the spherical housing in order to cause the spherical housing to move.

A self-propelled device is provided including a drive system, a spherical housing, and a biasing mechanism. The drive system includes one or more motors that are contained within the spherical housing. The biasing mechanism actively forces the drive system to continuously engage an interior of the spherical housing in order to cause the spherical housing to move.

The present application discloses a vehicle. The vehicle comprises: a first support component and a second support component which may rotate relative to each other; a first drive wheel which is rotatable relative to the first support component; a second drive wheel which is rotatable relative to the second support component; a first universal wheel mounted on the first support component; and a second universal wheel mounted on the second support component. If the vehicle is placed on a horizontal floor and if both drive wheels touch the horizontal floor, then the axis of the first drive wheel and the axis of the second drive wheel may be contained or nearly contained in a vertical plane. The vehicle further comprises motors, sensors and a computer.

The present application discloses a vehicle. The vehicle comprises: a first support component and a second support component which may rotate relative to each other; a first drive wheel which is rotatable relative to the first support component; a second drive wheel which is rotatable relative to the second support component; a first universal wheel mounted on the first support component; and a second universal wheel mounted on the second support component. If the vehicle is placed on a horizontal floor and if both drive wheels touch the horizontal floor, then the axis of the first drive wheel and the axis of the second drive wheel may be contained or nearly contained in a vertical plane. The vehicle further comprises motors, sensors and a computer.

A booster axle assembly includes a wheel axle, a suspension system coupled to the wheel axle, a booster frame supported by the suspension system, a main link coupled via a first hinged connection to a rear portion of the booster frame and extending from the first hinged connection in an upward and forward direction, a lock assembly coupled to a forward end of the main link via a second hinged connection, and a lockup frame (with a curved bottom portion that defines a cradle) coupled to a front end of the booster frame by a third hinged connection and coupled to the lock assembly by a fourth hinged connection and a fifth hinged connection.

A booster axle assembly includes a wheel axle, a suspension system coupled to the wheel axle, a booster frame supported by the suspension system, a main link coupled via a first hinged connection to a rear portion of the booster frame and extending from the first hinged connection in an upward and forward direction, a lock assembly coupled to a forward end of the main link via a second hinged connection, and a lockup frame (with a curved bottom portion that defines a cradle) coupled to a front end of the booster frame by a third hinged connection and coupled to the lock assembly by a fourth hinged connection and a fifth hinged connection.

An autonomous vehicle and a suspension for the autonomous vehicle are provided. The suspension may include first and second support legs pivotally coupled to a body of the autonomous vehicle at respective pivot points, and extending in opposing directions to contact a surface upon which the autonomous vehicle moves. A biasing element biases the support legs towards the surface. A coupler couples the support legs to cause pivotal movement of one of the support legs to be mirrored in the other support leg. The coupler may cause the support legs to maintain a centerline, which extends equidistantly between the pivot points and through a sensor mounted to an underside of the body, perpendicular to the surface as the support legs pivot during movement of the autonomous vehicle.

An autonomous mobile system (100) used in an industrial plant as a mobile operator system, suitable to be easily reconfigured according to the needs of each specific application. The system (100) includes an autonomous vehicle (1), in the form of an autonomous mobile robot, and a transport carriage (10) including one or more operating units (12) configured to receive a load thereon to be transported. The autonomous vehicle (1) includes a coupling device (5) to couple the autonomous vehicle to the carriage (10) to move the carriage (10) along a path, while the weight of the load carried on the carriage (10) rests solely on the carriage (10). The autonomous vehicle (1) is configured to control the devices onboard the carriage (10).

A vehicle includes an omnidirectional drive system configured to provide a movement of the vehicle, wherein the omnidirectional drive system includes a multitude of omnidirectional drive means, wherein each of the multitude of omnidirectional drive means includes a decentralized computing means and an associated actuator set up for providing a movement contribution for the movement. The vehicle includes a controlling means for providing a controlling command to the omnidirectional drive system containing an instruction for performing a movement. Each of the decentralized computing means is configured to determine a target movement for the vehicle, and to determine, from the target movement, a control of the associated actuator for a target movement contribution, and to determine an offset and to correct the same.

An electrical passenger car, the electrical passenger car including: at least two electrically driven motors; motor control electronics; sensors; and wheels, where the wheels include a first wheel and a second wheel, where the second wheel has a radius at least 7% greater than a radius of the first wheel, and where the motor control electronics control the at least two electrically driven motors to provide a greater torque to the second wheel than to the first wheel.