Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to vehicular retrieval, transportation, and/or deposition of payloads. In some embodiments, a vehicle is configured to identify and approach, via a plurality of propulsion components, a respective payload. In some embodiments, the vehicle is configured to adjust a height of a chassis of the vehicle, via the plurality of control legs, with respect to a reference to position interior portions of the chassis around a surface of the respective payload. In some embodiments, the vehicle is configured to engage with, via a latching system, the respective payload. In some embodiments, the vehicle is configured to transport the respective payload, via the plurality of propulsion components, to a respective target location. In some embodiments, the vehicle is configured to disengage from the respective payload, via the latching system, to deposit the respective payload at the respective target location.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a height of an electric vehicle with an adjustable suspension system. In one example, a method comprises: during a vehicle stop event, adjusting a height of a skateboard frame of an electric vehicle via an adjustable suspension system, based on at least one sensor input indicative of a desired skateboard frame height. In this way, user activities, including loading and unloading, may be facilitated.

A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus transporting an item being shipped including a mobile base platform, a component alignment interface, a mobility controller, a propulsion and steering system, and sensors. The component alignment interface provides an alignment channel into which another modular component can be placed and secured on the platform. The mobility controller generates propulsion control signals for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and steering control signals for navigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system is connected to the platform and responsive to the propulsion control signal. The steering system is connected to the mobile base platform and is responsive to the steering control signal to cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base. The sensors are disposed on the platform provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.

An axle system and a method of assembly. The axle system may include an axle lift kit. The axle lift kit may have a first bracket subassembly that may be fastened to the hanger bracket and a second bracket subassembly that may be fastened to first and second lateral sides of the trailing arm.

A detachable modular mobile autonomy module (MAM) for a modular autonomous bot apparatus includes a housing with latching points, an autonomous controller, location circuitry, external sensors monitoring an environment external to the MAM and providing sensor data to the controller, multi-element light panels on the housing driven by the controller; and a modular component power and data bus. The bus has a bottom side modular component electronics interface disposed on the housing that mates to a corresponding interface on another proximately-attached modular component of the bot. The MAM receives sensor data from the external sensors, receives outside sensor data from additional sensors disposed on a mobility unit of the bot, generates steering and propulsion control output signals based on location data from the location circuitry, external sensor data, mobility unit sensor data, and destination information data maintained by the controller, and generates transport and delivery information for the light panels.

A cradle assembly for housing and supporting a motor and a gearbox of an electric axle assembly. The cradle assembly has generally an “open air” design which provides a space for a motor and/or gearbox to be positioned within a pre-assembled cradle assembly and allows for easy access to the motor and gearbox for maintenance. The cradle assembly includes two end caps, a plurality of tube portions connecting the end caps and a plurality of motor mounts for supporting the motor and gearbox.

An active mechanical safety device for the compensation of the impacts on a vehicle, comprising a connecting element configured to be constrained to a suspended mass of a vehicle, a respective adjustment element configured to be constrained to the suspended mass and to be positioned between the connecting element and a respective shock absorber element of said vehicle, wherein the adjustment element, following an external stress to which the vehicle is subjected, is movable between a first position, wherein the adjustment element is configured to approach the connecting element to the shock absorber element, and a second position, wherein the adjustment element is configured to move the connecting element away from the shock absorber element.

A modular autonomous cart assembly for transporting an item being shipped is described with a sensor-equipped mobility base that carries the item(s), a modular cart handle, a sensor-equipped modular mobile cart autonomy control module detachably attached to the modular handle, all sharing a modular common power and data transport bus. The autonomous controller of the modular control module is programmatically adapted operative to establish a secure connection to a wireless mobile courier node, locate the courier node and the cart assembly, receive sensor data from the base and control module sensors, generate steering and propulsion control commands using the locations and sensor data and send them to a controller on the mobility base so that the assembly can autonomously track and follow the current location of the courier node as the courier node moves and while maintaining a predetermined follow distance from the current location of the courier node.

A vehicle including a controlled vertical position chassis, in order to be able to be moved into a low position supported on the ground, and, associated with each wheel, a suspension arm, an arm actuator, and a safety device capable of limiting the accidental lowering of the chassis, the device being able to adopt an active state wherein the rotation of the suspension arm can be limited, the device including an actuator, a cylinder of which is mounted on the chassis and a piston of which is mounted on the suspension arm, or vice versa, the actuator defining a first chamber connected to a first and a second fluid passage through the cylinder, the second passage being connected to a first fluid pipe fitted with a safety valve.

A method for operating an automated utility vehicle includes, after a change in the load state of the automated utility vehicle, determining a current weight and/or a current load distribution of the automated utility vehicle. The method further includes making available the determined current weight and/or the determined current load distribution in the form of current load information. The current load information is used for situation-dependent adaptation of planning and/or control of a trajectory of the automated utility vehicle.