Methods and apparatus are provided for performing an assisted driving trailer reversing operation including a camera operative to capture an image, an interactive user interface operative to display a graphical user interface and to receive a user input, a processor operative to generate the graphical user interface in response to the user input, the user input being indicative of a trailer destination, to generate a left maneuverability margin and a right maneuverability margin in response to a trailer dimension and a hitch angle, and a projected trailer path in response to the trailer destination, wherein the graphical user interface includes the image and a plurality of graphics overlaid on the image indicative of the left maneuverability margin, the right maneuverability margin, the projected trailer path and the trailer destination, and a vehicle controller operative to perform a trailer reversing operation in response to the control signal.

A railless tugger train (100) includes a train module (10), at least one transportation module and at least two axis modules, wherein each axis module has a stiffly configured axis beam, at which a first mounting device is configured in the form of a stiff mounting of the train module or a transportation module and at which a second mounting device is configured for an articulated connection of a transportation module. At least two wheels (19) are mounted at the axis beam in such a way that the wheels are each rotatable around a rotation axis (D) which is configured vertical to the longitudinal axis (L) of the axis beam.

The turning radius of a differentially steered vehicle towing a trailer is controlled when turning so that its turning radius is greater than a minimum allowable turning radius. The turning radius may be autonomously adjusted using a controller to monitor the instantaneous rotational speed differential between the driven wheels and increase or decrease the relative speed between the wheels when the instantaneous rotational speed differential exceeds a threshold rotational speed differential, indicating a turn which is too tight. Alternately, the turning radius may be controlled by the vehicle's operator, who receives a signal from the controller indicating that the vehicle's turning radius is less than the minimum allowable. The operator may then take action to enlarge the turning radius using manual controls.

The disclosure relates to a method for determining object information relating to an object in an environment of a multi-part vehicle having at least one towing vehicle and at least one trailer and a control unit and vehicle associated with it, with at least one trailer camera being arranged on the trailer, having at least the following steps: capturing the environment with a trailer camera from a first position and, in dependence thereon, creating a first image having first pixels; changing the position of the trailer camera; capturing the environment with the trailer camera from a second position and creating a second image having second pixels; and, determining object information relating to an object in the captured environment.

The vehicle system can include: a set of vehicle couplings (e.g., a tractor interface, a trailer interface, etc.); a chassis, a battery pack, an electric powertrain, a sensor suite, and a controller. The modular vehicle system can optionally include landing gear, a suspension, and any other suitable set of components. The vehicle system functions to structurally support and/or tow a trailer—such as a Class 8 semi-trailer—and/or to augment/supplement a tractor propulsive capability (e.g., via a diesel/combustion engine) with a supplementary electric drive axle(s).

The vehicle system can include: a set of vehicle couplings (e.g., a tractor interface, a trailer interface, etc.); a chassis, a battery pack, an electric powertrain, a sensor suite, and a controller. The modular vehicle system can optionally include landing gear, a suspension, and any other suitable set of components. The vehicle system functions to structurally support and/or tow a trailer—such as a Class 8 semi-trailer—and/or to augment/supplement a tractor propulsive capability (e.g., via a diesel/combustion engine) with a supplementary electric drive axle(s).

A vehicle, hitch, and articulating trailer include vehicle to vehicle and infrastructure communications and vehicle computing systems, which have a controller coupled to and/or including one or more of a dynamics measurement unit, a transceiver, and a position sensor, among other components. The controller(s) are configured to, in response to detecting positions of trailer corners from the position sensor, generate vehicle and trailer relative orientation and navigation data including location, velocity, and orientation, utilizing vehicle and trailer electronic polyhedrons articulating about a hitch point and representing the combination vehicle and trailer predicted path and envelopes. In response to detected trailer movement relative to the hitch point, the generated articulated polyhedrons are generated with the navigation data, which includes the location, speed, and orientation, which are in turn communicated to nearby vehicles and roadway infrastructure. Initial trailer vertices may be generated with wireless and mobile devices to generate the trailer polyhedron.

The present invention provides apparatus for transporting materials, preferably large flat objects such as panes of glass, wood panels, paintings, and the like. The preferred embodiment includes a frame, an axle assembly, wheels, and a steering means, the steering means including track rods, a controlling means for controlling the steering means, the controlling means being pivotable about pivot points on the track rods. Preferably, the apparatus includes a tray or base plate for holding the materials being transported. Preferably, the controlling means is a tiller engageable with the pivot points. Preferably, the apparatus includes a handle for directing the frame. Preferably, the steering means includes a rotating bar. Preferably, the rotating bar engages a track rod. Preferably, the apparatus includes a motor for propulsion. Most preferably, the motor is electric, powered by a battery, particularly a rechargeable battery.

The present invention provides apparatus for transporting materials, preferably large flat objects such as panes of glass, wood panels, paintings, and the like. The preferred embodiment includes a frame, an axle assembly, wheels, and a steering means, the steering means including track rods, a controlling means for controlling the steering means, the controlling means being pivotable about pivot points on the track rods. Preferably, the apparatus includes a tray or base plate for holding the materials being transported. Preferably, the controlling means is a tiller engageable with the pivot points. Preferably, the apparatus includes a handle for directing the frame. Preferably, the steering means includes a rotating bar. Preferably, the rotating bar engages a track rod. Preferably, the apparatus includes a motor for propulsion. Most preferably, the motor is electric, powered by a battery, particularly a rechargeable battery.

A driver assistance device according to an embodiment includes a coupling angle acquirer that acquires a coupling angle between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle coupled to the towing vehicle; and a notifier that issues a given notification in the towing vehicle when the towing vehicle is driven with the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle differing in orientation at a given value or more based on the coupling angle, the towing vehicle moves in a given distance or less while maintaining a steering angle, and the steering angle of the towing vehicle enables the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle to be placed in a serial state with the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle substantially matching with each other in orientation.