There is provided a solar power generator having a variable shape which can secure a maximum solar power generation area by being unfolded horizontally and upward in the case of performing solar power generation and can be transformed to have a minimum volume by being transformed into a box shape in the case of not performing solar power generation. The solar power generator includes a base frame, four solar panel members for forming a box which are respectively coupled to four sides of the base frame, a rotation drive source for rotating each of the four solar panel members, a tube member, a lower surface of which is fixed to a center portion of an upper surface of the base frame, an air injection and discharge part, a top plate for the tube member, and a plurality of solar panel assemblies for tube member sidewalls.

The disclosure is directed to methods and systems for provisioning mobile electric vehicles with various operational settings data transmitted over the air. A vehicle or its components may operate according to operational settings corresponding to operational settings data included in the vehicle components. A server that is remote to the vehicle may comprise operational settings data and may transmit operational settings data to the vehicle. The server may transmit operational settings data automatically, such as on a periodic basis, in response to a request, such as from a user or from a vehicle component or anytime new or updated operational settings data are available for the vehicle or its components.

A renewable energy charging system for increasing the charging efficiency of an autonomous vehicle includes a computer programed to predict, in a vehicle at a plurality of locations, an amount of power generation associated with each location. The computer selects one of the locations based at least on the predicted amounts of power generation and moves the vehicle to the selected location.

A method is provided. An airship is maneuvered to a desired location and oriented with the thruster such that ambient wind is traveling in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage. The airflow from the ambient wind is straightened with the flow straightener to generate a substantially laminar flow. The turbine is engaged with the airflow generated by the ambient wind to generate electricity, and the electricity generated by the turbine is rectified with the rectifier and stored in the storage array.

A method is provided. An airship is maneuvered to a desired location and oriented with the thruster such that ambient wind is traveling in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage. The airflow from the ambient wind is straightened with the flow straightener to generate a substantially laminar flow. The turbine is engaged with the airflow generated by the ambient wind to generate electricity, and the electricity generated by the turbine is rectified with the rectifier and stored in the storage array.

A solar-powered vehicle that includes a body having opposing sides and defining a cavity; two or more wheels; a first and second solar panel assembly respectively disposed on the opposing sides of the body; one or more electric motor disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric motors configured to rotate at least one of the two or more wheels; and one or more electric battery disposed within the cavity of the body between the first and second solar panel assemblies, the one or more electric batteries configured to power the one or more electric motors and to be charged by electric current generated by the first and second solar panel assemblies.

Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a multi-purpose robot. In certain implementations, the robot of the present disclosure can initiate performance of one or more tasks. Aspect(s) of the power consumption of the robot can be monitored. Input(s) originating from sensor(s) of the robot can be received. Based on the aspect(s) of the power consumption of the robot and input(s) originating from the sensor(s), aspect(s) of the performance of the one or more tasks can be adjusted.

An energy harvesting vehicle includes a plurality of vehicular panels, and an energy canopy. The energy canopy is connected to at least two of the plurality of vehicular panels configured for generating electrical energy. The energy canopy includes a predetermined number of surfaces configured for receiving incident light, the incident light being received for a plurality of time durations. At least one of the predetermined number of surfaces includes a solar unit configured for harvesting the incident light. A predetermined number of solar units are positioned on a portion of the predetermined number of surfaces. The predetermined number of surfaces are connected in one of a series connection and a parallel connection with each other. The one of the series connection and the parallel connection between the predetermined number of surfaces are configured for improving an energy conversion efficiency of the energy canopy, through enhanced harvesting of the incident light.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for a remote oceanic environment includes a float system, at least one electric motor, and a seawater battery. The float system allows the UAV to maintain buoyancy on a body of water. The electric motor or motors produce the required lift for the UAV to achieve and maintain flight. The flight includes the UAV landing on the body of water and takeoff from the body of water. The seawater battery directly or indirectly powers the electric motor or motors using seawater from the body of water while the UAV is floating on the body of water.

A ground utility robot and implement attachment apparatus having a ground utility robot, at least one implement, at least one solar panel, at least one battery that is chargeable by the at least one solar panel, a power take-off system that is connected to the ground utility robot and to the at least one implement; where the battery powers said ground utility robot and the implement; a safety system that has a computer, a safety program that utilizes a processing logic on the computer, where the safety program initiates precautionary measures that are carried out by the ground utility robot and the power take-off system if an object comes within a predefined distance from the ground utility robot and implement attachment apparatus.