Methods and systems for autonomously delivering consumer items in disposable packages, in which the disposable package, with the consumer item inside, are carried under a wheel robot using a grabbing mechanism that holds the package under the wheel robot. The wheel robot straddles over the package to allow the grabbing mechanism access to the package during a loading process, and then straddles off the package at a delivery location after the grabbing mechanism releases the package with the consumer item inside. Releasing of the package can be done by lowering the package to the ground in a controlled manner, or by simply releasing the package above ground thereby dropping the package.

A mobile robot adapted to traverse vertical obstacles. The robot comprises a frame and at least one wheel positioned in a front section of the robot, at least one middle wheel positioned in a middle section of the robot, at least one back wheel positioned in a back section of the robot, and at least one further wheel in the front, middle or back of the robot. The robot also comprises at least one motor-driven device for exerting a downward and/or upward force on the middle wheel and at least two motors for driving the wheels and the motor-driven device. Also disclosed is a method of climbing using a mobile robot as disclosed.

A haul truck dump tray with a pneumatic shock absorption system is provided. The haul truck dump tray includes a first longitudinal body portion and a second longitudinal body portion joined along a center line by an interposing elastomeric link extending along the center line and bonded to and between them. The haul truck dump tray includes a topside support member joined along the center line by the interposing elastomeric link to the first longitudinal body portion and the second longitudinal body portion. The haul truck dump tray includes a bottomside support member joined along the center line by the interposing elastomeric link to the first longitudinal body portion and the second longitudinal body portion. The resulting haul truck dump tray has improved weight, strength, and durability characteristics.

A steering gearbox attachment structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure attaches and secures a steering gearbox to cross members positioned in the vehicle widthwise direction, and is equipped with support parts provided on the cross members, and a steering gearbox housing part which has contact parts. The first attachment surface of the first support part and the second attachment surface of the second support part form an angle which is greater than 90° and less than 180°.

A pneumatic suspension system for a vehicle, in which the pneumatic suspension system includes a supply tank, a first set of air springs positioned on a first side of the vehicle; a second set of air springs positioned on a second side of the vehicle, and a dual-action dynamic valve positioned between the first set of air springs and the second set of air springs. The dual-action dynamic valve is connected to the supply tank, the first set of air springs, and the second set of air springs by a series of air hoses. The dual-action dynamic valve is adapted to supply air to either one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs while simultaneously exhausting air from the other one of the first set of air springs or the second set of air springs.

Systems and methods for delivering packages and consumer items using a plurality of package containers acting as lockers for the items, in which the plurality of package containers are transported between delivery locations by at least one on-road vehicle operative to straddle-over and grab any of the package containers, carry the package containers from one delivery location to another, and release/straddle-off the package containers at delivery locations. Some of the package containers may include multiple lockers, in which case the on-road vehicle transports and releases a package container in a first location, and while the package container awaits an item to be picked up from one of its lockers, the on-road vehicle continues on its way to handle other package containers. When the item is finally picked-up from the locker, the on-road vehicle may return, grab the package container and move it to another location or back to a warehouse.

A modular cargo storage system (CSS) is described for use on a base platform of a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped. The modular CSS includes a set of folding structural walls, an interlocking alignment interface on at least one of the walls, and a modular component power and data transport bus. The walls at least partially enclose a payload area above the base platform. The interlocking alignment interface has a set of latches and a locking handle coupled to the set of latches that actuates the latches to interlock with the base platform. The power and data transport bus have top and bottom side modular component electronics interfaces where each interface has a power conduit outlet and a command and data communication interface.

There are provided an apparatus and a method for controlling a variable axle for preventing a safety accident. An apparatus for controlling a variable axle that controls operation power to one switch which is short-circuited or opened according to a manipulation of a user, and supplies the operation power for a descent of a pusher axle, includes: the other switch having one end connected to power of a vehicle and the other end which is short-circuited or opened in response to a control signal, to thereby supply the power of the vehicle as the operation power at the time of the short-circuit; and a controller confirming whether or not the vehicle is remotely being started when an ignition of the vehicle is turned-on, and opening the other switch by the control signal in the case in which the vehicle is remotely being started as a result of the confirmation.

A spring system of a vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, includes a first spring/damper unit with a first stiffness and a first damping; a second spring/damper unit with a second stiffness and a second damping; and an additional mass as a tuned-mass absorber. The tuned-mass absorber is coupled to at least one negative stiffness. A vehicle having such a spring system and a method for adapting the stiffness of a spring system are provided.

A vehicle air management system is provided. The vehicle air management system comprises an air tank and a boost air tank. Based on a signal indicative of an air consumption level of at least one air consumer, a control unit is configured to control the vehicle air management system to deliver pressurized air from the boost air tank to be supplied to an air compressor.