This assembly, which includes a ground level power supply system of the type using conduction, including conductive tracks arranged on a roadway, and an electric vehicle, capturing electric energy from said tracks it moves on the roadway, is characterized in that the power supply system includes a ground level antenna, configured so as to have a constant radiation chart along a longitudinal axis of the roadway and emitting a positioning signal, and in that the electric vehicle includes an on board antenna and an on board module, connected to the on board antenna and capable of determining a lateral position of a center of the on board antenna relative to the longitudinal axis from the positioning signal captured by the on board antenna.

An electric drive dump truck travels by contacting, with trolley lines, power collection units configured to be moved up and down by lifting devices and receiving electrical power from the trolley lines. A position detection device is configured to detect a position of the electric drive dump truck; a vehicle speed detection device is configured to detect a vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck; and a storage section is configured to store a position of the trolley lines and a time (hereinafter referred to as a moving-up time) until the power collection units contact with the trolley lines since the power collection units start moving up. A control device is configured to output a signal indicating that the power collection units can be moved up based on the position and vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck, the position of the trolley lines, and the moving-up time.

An electric drive dump truck travels by contacting, with trolley lines, power collection units configured to be moved up and down by lifting devices and receiving electrical power from the trolley lines. A position detection device is configured to detect a position of the electric drive dump truck; a vehicle speed detection device is configured to detect a vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck; and a storage section is configured to store a position of the trolley lines and a time (hereinafter referred to as a moving-up time) until the power collection units contact with the trolley lines since the power collection units start moving up. A control device is configured to output a signal indicating that the power collection units can be moved up based on the position and vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck, the position of the trolley lines, and the moving-up time.

A method is provided for controlling a vehicle safety system in a vehicle provided with a current collector arranged to transmit electric power from a current conductor in the surface of a road. The current collector is controllable for vertical and transverse displacement relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle to contact and track the current conductor. The method involves performing the steps of detecting that an obstacle is located in the path of the current collector; transmitting data from the forward looking data collecting system to the electronic control unit; performing an object classification to determine a damage level for the dynamic charging system; determining an action to be taken by the safety system based on the determined damage level; and initiating the action in dependence of at least the determined damage level.

A method is provided for controlling a vehicle safety system in a vehicle provided with a current collector arranged to transmit electric power from a current conductor in the surface of a road. The current collector is controllable for vertical and transverse displacement relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle to contact and track the current conductor. The method involves performing the steps of detecting that an obstacle is located in the path of the current collector; transmitting data from the forward looking data collecting system to the electronic control unit; performing an object classification to determine a damage level for the dynamic charging system; determining an action to be taken by the safety system based on the determined damage level; and initiating the action in dependence of at least the determined damage level.

A tracked vehicle comprising an electric machine assembly, a first and a second track coupled to the electric machine assembly, and an electric connection device, connectable to a power supply apparatus outside the tracked vehicle and connected to the electric machine assembly to exchange electrical energy with the power supply apparatus during the operation of the tracked vehicle.

A tracked vehicle comprising an electric machine assembly, a first and a second track coupled to the electric machine assembly, and an electric connection device, connectable to a power supply apparatus outside the tracked vehicle and connected to the electric machine assembly to exchange electrical energy with the power supply apparatus during the operation of the tracked vehicle.

Disclosed are aircraft configured to perform tethered and untethered flights as well as methods of operating such aircraft. During a tethered flight, the aircraft is connected to a power line using its connecting module. While tethered, the aircraft can receive electrical energy from the power line and use this energy for propulsion and/or storage. The aircraft comprises a propulsion module for providing vertical and horizontal thrusts. In some examples, the aircraft comprises a transport module. The transport module may be removably attached to the propulsion module and be replaceable with another transportation module. During an untethered flight, the electrical energy is supplied to the propulsion module from a battery and/or a generator on board of the aircraft. The untethered flight capability can be used for landing and takeoff, flying away from power lines or when the power line is not operational, and other like examples.

Disclosed are aircraft configured to perform tethered and untethered flights as well as methods of operating such aircraft. During a tethered flight, the aircraft is connected to a power line using its connecting module. While tethered, the aircraft can receive electrical energy from the power line and use this energy for propulsion and/or storage. The aircraft comprises a propulsion module for providing vertical and horizontal thrusts. In some examples, the aircraft comprises a transport module. The transport module may be removably attached to the propulsion module and be replaceable with another transportation module. During an untethered flight, the electrical energy is supplied to the propulsion module from a battery and/or a generator on board of the aircraft. The untethered flight capability can be used for landing and takeoff, flying away from power lines or when the power line is not operational, and other like examples.

A cart having a wheel, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor, wherein the cart-computing device generates a control signal to adjust the operation of the drive motor, and a sensor module communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a first mode, generates a signal and transmits the signal to the cart-computing device in response to a detected event. The sensor module, in a second mode, transmits a first communication signal in response to the first communication signal generated by the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a third mode, receives a second communication signal in response to a source external to the cart transmitting the second communication signal to the cart.