An electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of an electric motor. The unit comprises: an electric motor controller comprising a processor having at least one input and at least one output, wherein an output of the processor is coupled to a power provider for controlling power to an electric motor; a tilt accelerometer system comprising a tilt accelerometer for determining a measure of the tilt of the electric motor unit relative to a reference orientation, wherein the tilt accelerometer system comprises an output for providing a signal based on the determined measure of the tilt; wherein the output of the tilt accelerometer system is coupled to an input of the processor of the electric motor controller; wherein the power provider comprises a power output for controlling the operation of an electric motor based on the output of the tilt accelerometer system.

An electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of an electric motor. The unit comprises: an electric motor controller comprising a processor having at least one input and at least one output, wherein an output of the processor is coupled to a power provider for controlling power to an electric motor; a tilt accelerometer system comprising a tilt accelerometer for determining a measure of the tilt of the electric motor unit relative to a reference orientation, wherein the tilt accelerometer system comprises an output for providing a signal based on the determined measure of the tilt; wherein the output of the tilt accelerometer system is coupled to an input of the processor of the electric motor controller; wherein the power provider comprises a power output for controlling the operation of an electric motor based on the output of the tilt accelerometer system.

A method and apparatus for controlling braking of a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes an in-wheel motor installed in a wheel to rotate the wheel, an electro-mechanical brake installed in the wheel to perform braking, a vehicular speed sensor to measure a speed of the vehicle, and a processor to: compute a required braking force, in response to receiving a signal initiated by a brake pedal; control braking by distributing the required braking force to the electro-mechanical brake and the in-wheel motor; determine a braking state according to a speed of the vehicle and recompute a braking torque for the in-wheel motor; and in case the electro-mechanical brake fails to operate, control the in-wheel motor to bring the vehicle to a stop.

A system and method for encouraging a user of a recreational vehicle to wear safety equipment is described. The helmet contains a microprocessor and sensors to determine if the helmet is worn. The helmet communicates with the vehicle and the vehicle either disables operation or allows limited operation if the helmet is not worn. On motorized vehicles, the motor operation is restricted. On human powered vehicles mechanical resistance may limit operation.

A recording unit records an installation position of a ground installation object and an installation identifier of the ground installation object for each of a plurality of the ground installation objects installed beside a track on which a vehicle of a track transport system mounted with an external sensor travels; an installation object recognition unit specifies the installation identifier from external sensor information including information detected by the external sensor and recognizes the ground installation object corresponding to the installation identifier by referring to the recording unit; and a detection distance calculation unit calculates a detection distance of the external sensor. The detection distance calculation unit calculates the detection distance of the external sensor from a self-position of the vehicle at which the ground installation object is recognized and the installation position of the ground installation object recognized by the installation object recognition unit.

A recording unit records an installation position of a ground installation object and an installation identifier of the ground installation object for each of a plurality of the ground installation objects installed beside a track on which a vehicle of a track transport system mounted with an external sensor travels; an installation object recognition unit specifies the installation identifier from external sensor information including information detected by the external sensor and recognizes the ground installation object corresponding to the installation identifier by referring to the recording unit; and a detection distance calculation unit calculates a detection distance of the external sensor. The detection distance calculation unit calculates the detection distance of the external sensor from a self-position of the vehicle at which the ground installation object is recognized and the installation position of the ground installation object recognized by the installation object recognition unit.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an electric traction motor of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the control system is configured to: limit a rate of change of torque requested from the electric traction motor for changing speed towards a speed target, in dependence on a lash crossing protection rate limiter; and upon removal of the limit prior to the speed reaching the speed target, inhibit initial increase of a torque requested from the electric traction motor for changing speed towards the speed target.

A battery pack including a first subset of battery cells and a second subset of battery cells, set of switches, a DC output port and an AC output port. The battery pack may provide both a DC output signal at the DC output port and an AC output signal at the AC output port by selectively activating the switches of the set of switches. The battery pack may couple the first subset of battery cells and the second subset of battery cells in a parallel configuration or a series configuration.

A battery pack including a first subset of battery cells and a second subset of battery cells, set of switches, a DC output port and an AC output port. The battery pack may provide both a DC output signal at the DC output port and an AC output signal at the AC output port by selectively activating the switches of the set of switches. The battery pack may couple the first subset of battery cells and the second subset of battery cells in a parallel configuration or a series configuration.

A motor system designed to replace and internal combustion engine. The motor system may include an electric motor and a battery that provides power to the electric motor. The system may also include control electronics to control the battery discharge current. The battery discharge current may be a relatively low current if the motor speed is less than a first threshold. The battery discharge current may be a relatively high current if the motor speed is greater than the first threshold but less than a second threshold. The battery discharge current may be the relatively low current if the motor speed is greater than the second threshold but less than a third threshold.