Aspects of the disclosure provide a battery pack and a method for charging the battery pack externally. The battery pack can include a charging port configured to charge the battery pack, a cooling circuit configured to cool the battery pack in a vehicle, and a cooling interface configured to connect the cooling circuit with an external cooling device that is external to the vehicle. The charging port and the cooling interface can be integrated into a charging port assembly, the cooling interface has an inlet port and an outlet port that have high pressure quick disconnect leakless fittings, and the battery pack is configured to be charged externally via the charging port. The battery pack can include a plurality of isolating devices configured to determine whether the cooling circuit is connected to the external cooling device.

A ground power supply apparatus for transmitting power to a vehicle by noncontact has: a plurality of power transmission apparatuses for transmitting power to the vehicle; at least one detection device for detecting a signal emitted from the vehicle using narrow range wireless communication; and a controller for controlling the power transmission apparatuses. The power transmission apparatuses are arranged in a road aligned in a direction of advance of the vehicle. One first detection device is arranged so as to enable detection of the signal at an upstream side from the most upstream power transmission apparatus. The control device controls transmission of power from power transmission apparatuses other than the first power transmission apparatus positioned the most upstream, based on the signal detected by the first detection device and power transmission result information at the power transmission apparatus positioned upstream of that power transmission apparatus.

Technology for charging at least one battery is described. An aspect of the technology involves charging a battery using alternating current (AC) power by periodically stopping (602) charging of a battery of a mobile energy storage and power consumption device (16A) with AC power, and when charging of the battery with AC power is stopped, initiating (604) a direct current (DC) power charging communications cycle for the battery, in which the initiating the DC power charging communications cycle includes obtaining (606) state of battery related information for the battery by transmitting, over a communication link or interface, a request signal to a charging control device at the mobile energy storage and power consumption device indicating DC power charging mode of operation.

A system includes an automatic charging device. The automatic charging device includes a movable arm configured to connect a charging plug head in electric communication with a vehicle inlet of an electric vehicle. The system includes a current detector configured to be in electrical communication with the automatic charging device.

Methods and systems are provided. One method includes processing operations to share electronic keys (e-keys). The method includes receiving a request to share an electronic key (e-key) of a vehicle with a recipient device. The request to share the e-key is initiated by sending a message to the recipient device using a sharing device. The method includes processing the request to validate the request to share the e-key, as received from the sharing device having associated therewith a registered owner e-key. Processing the request includes generating the e-key securely by the sharing device and registering the e-key that was generated with a server associated with a manufacturer of the vehicle. The method includes enabling the e-key for use on the vehicle by the recipient device responsive to said processing of the request. The request to share the e-key includes enabling a setting to apply a privilege level for use of the vehicle via the e-key. The privilege level provides one or more conditions of use of the vehicle via the e-key.

A method and control system for controlling operation of a thermal control apparatus, the thermal control apparatus configured for thermal control of an energy storage means of a vehicle, the method comprising: obtaining a parameter indicative of a state of health of the energy storage means; and controlling operation of the thermal control apparatus in dependence on a difference between the parameter and a target, wherein the target is indicative of expected state of health, and wherein a rate of change of the target varies in association with cumulative energy throughput of the energy storage means.

A robotic vehicle (10) may include a chassis supporting a storage tank in which an aqueous solution is contained, a mobility assembly operably coupled to the chassis to provide mobility for the robotic vehicle about a service area (20), a positioning module (60) configured to provide guidance for the robotic vehicle (10) during transit of the robotic vehicle (10) over the service area (20), a spray assembly (90) and control circuitry (12).

A charge control device includes: a first communication section configured to: receive first data from a plurality of mobile vehicles respectively and transmit second data to the mobile vehicles respectively via first connection parts; and receive a third datum from a charger and transmit a fourth datum to the charger via a second connection part; and a control part that generates the fourth datum from the first data, generates the second data for the mobile vehicles respectively from the third datum received from the charger in response to the fourth datum, and causes the first communication section to transmit the fourth datum and the second data, each of the first data, the second data, the third datum, and the fourth datum complying with a charging standard.

A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.

A vehicle and a method of controlling the same includes a communicator configured to receive charging station information from an external server; a display; a sensor configured to obtain location information of a vehicle; and a controller connected to the communicator, the display and the sensor and including a processor configured to process the location information and the charging station information, wherein the controller is configured to, based on the location information and the charging station information being processed, identify whether the vehicle corresponds to an information providing condition, and in response to the vehicle corresponding to the information providing condition, control the display to display a unique identifier of the vehicle.