A vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive assemblies coupled to the chassis, and a controller. Each tractive assembly includes a tractive element and an actuator coupled to the tractive element and configured to move the tractive element relative to the chassis. The controller is configured to control at least one of the actuators to vary a load supported by one of the tractive assemblies in response to an indication that a portion of a first tractive assembly of the plurality of tractive assemblies is disabled.

An inspection robot incudes a robot body, at least two sensors, a drive module, a stability assist device and an actuator. The at least two sensors are positioned to interrogate an inspection surface and are communicatively coupled to the robot body. The drive module includes at least two wheels that engage the inspection surface. The drive module is coupled to the robot body. The stability assist device is coupled to at least one of the robot body or the drive module. The actuator is coupled to the stability assist device at a first end, and coupled to one of the drive module or the robot body at a second end. The actuator is structured to selectively move the stability assist device between a first position and a second position. The first position includes a stored position. The second position includes a deployed position.

An inspection robot incudes a robot body, at least two sensors, a drive module, a stability assist device and an actuator. The at least two sensors are positioned to interrogate an inspection surface and are communicatively coupled to the robot body. The drive module includes at least two wheels that engage the inspection surface. The drive module is coupled to the robot body. The stability assist device is coupled to at least one of the robot body or the drive module. The actuator is coupled to the stability assist device at a first end, and coupled to one of the drive module or the robot body at a second end. The actuator is structured to selectively move the stability assist device between a first position and a second position. The first position includes a stored position. The second position includes a deployed position.

A vehicle powertrain proactive damping system includes a plurality of proactive damping structures mounted on a powertrain structure with each proactive damping structure includes a magneto rheological elastomer (MRE). An electromagnet is associated with each proactive damping structure. A control unit includes a processor circuit. A sensor obtains vibration data regarding the powertrain structure. A LIDAR sensor is mounted on the vehicle and is electrically connected with the control unit. The LIDAR sensor provides data to the control unit indicative of upcoming road surface conditions to be experienced by the vehicle. Based on data from at the sensor and the LIDAR sensor, the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to control voltage to the electromagnets to selectively adjust a rigidity of the associated proactive damping structure so as to control vibrational effects on the powertrain structure.

A dryer circuit for a pneumatic regulating device of a vehicle, comprising an air dryer, and a first compressor, wherein the first compressor is designed to compress system air present in the pneumatic regulating device, wherein the air dryer, the first compressor and subsystems, which can be connected to the first compressor, of the pneumatic regulating device are arranged in such a way that, in the operating mode of a closed air supply, air delivered between the components of one of the subsystems by the first compressor is delivered so as to bypass the air dryer.

A wheel module (10) for a motor vehicle includes a wheel (12) and a wheel guide (14) for guiding the wheel (12). The wheel guide (14) includes a wheel carrier unit (16) for supporting the wheel (12); a wheel fork (24) supporting the wheel carrier unit (16); a steering actuator (18) for adjusting the steering angle of the wheel (12); a spring-damper unit (28); and a level adjustment unit (36) for adjusting the height of the vehicle body (32) of the motor vehicle. The spring-damper unit (28) is arranged in a region of the wheel guide (14) between the wheel fork (24) and the wheel carrier unit (16).

A wheel module (10) for a motor vehicle includes a wheel (12) and a wheel guide (14) for guiding the wheel (12). The wheel guide (14) includes a wheel carrier unit (16) for supporting the wheel (12); a wheel fork (24) supporting the wheel carrier unit (16); a steering actuator (18) for adjusting the steering angle of the wheel (12); a spring-damper unit (28); and a level adjustment unit (36) for adjusting the height of the vehicle body (32) of the motor vehicle. The spring-damper unit (28) is arranged in a region of the wheel guide (14) between the wheel fork (24) and the wheel carrier unit (16).

A method of controlling a suspension system of a vehicle includes identifying an amplitude and a frequency of at least one harmonic event in a topology of a surface to be traversed by the vehicle, and, with a controller, altering at least one response characteristic of at least one adjustable component of the suspension system based on at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the harmonic event. Systems and methods relate to controlling vehicle suspension systems.

A vehicle linear motor includes: a tubular casing; a pair of armatures placed and fixed in the casing; a mover formed in a flat plate shape and placed to face the pair of armatures and to be movable in the casing; and a support member configured to slidably support the mover such that the mover moves in a longitudinal direction of the mover. The mover formed in the flat plate shape includes a plurality of magnets that are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction. Each of the pair of armatures has a magnetic pole that is arranged to move the mover relative to the armatures in the longitudinal direction. The casing is mounted on a vehicle such that the longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction, and the mover and the armatures are placed to face each other in the horizontal direction.

Methods are described that perform a dispatched consumer-to-store return or swap logistics operation for an item being replaced using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. The method begins with receiving a return operation dispatch command that includes identifier information, transport parameters, and designated pickup information for the item being replaced/returned, along with authentication information related to an authorized supplier of the item being replaced. Modular components of the bot apparatus are verified to be compatible with the dispatched logistics operation. The MAM then autonomously causes the bot apparatus to move to the designated pickup location, notifies the authorized supplier of an approaching pickup, receives supplier authorization input to permissively allow access to a payload area within the bot apparatus, monitors loading as the item being replaced is received along with return documentation, and then autonomously causes movement of the bot apparatus back to the origin location.