A method, system and apparatus for carrying a user including a board for supporting the user, a ground-contacting member coupled with the board, a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member and one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly. In operation, the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board as detected by the sensors. As a result, the system is able to maintain a desired velocity when ascending, descending or traversing uneven ground without the need for excessive and sometimes impossible tilting of the board.

An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.

An electric vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may drive the wheel assembly in response to board orientation and rider presence information. A rider detection mechanism may include one or more strain gauges, and may be configured to detect rider presence and rider weight information. A responsiveness of the motor may be automatically adjusted based on the rider weight information.

A support assembly for a vehicle travels along a road surface and rotates relative to the road surface and the vehicle. The first support assembly includes a spherical tread layer for contacting the road surface, a foam layer adjacent the spherical tread layer, the foam layer including adjustable elements for altering an outer physical contour of the spherical tread layer, the outer physical contour contacting the road surface, a spherical wheel/tire for supporting the spherical tread layer and the vehicle, and a drive system magnetically driving rotation of the spherical wheel/tire relative to the vehicle such that no portion of the spherical tread layer physically contacts the vehicle.

When an electric vehicle is traveling downhill, experiencing regenerative braking, or otherwise forcing the vehicle motor to turn faster than the commanded motor torque, the vehicle motor produces electrical energy that can be used to recharge a vehicle battery. However, if the vehicle battery is already nearly or fully charged, the excess electrical energy produced may damage the battery. Control systems described herein may reduce and/or dispose of the excess energy by manipulating the motor flux (i.e., direct) current and quadrature current independently.

A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to provide arcuate, generally vertical motion of a board relative to an axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems may include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the wheel assembly to the board.

A powered skateboard system comprising a skateboard deck having a top surface for supporting a rider of the powered skateboard, a bottom surface configured to facilitate engagement with one or more inner-motorized trucks and a compartment adapted to store one of more components including a control system, and one or more battery packs for a primary, and a secondary back up power source. The control system comprising methodologies configured to control the power of the one or more inner-motorized trucks. The control system provides a means to control the powered skateboard by using a wireless handheld controlled, or a wireless phone device including touchscreen gesturing control having one or more motion control buttons and toggle switches also, configured to transmit and to receive information associated with the operation of the inner-motorized trucks.

The present invention is an electric mobility vehicle such as a powered knee walker, scooter, bicycle and a multi-passenger vehicle comprising a unique steering column assembly capable of being manually steered also autonomously steered by means of steering actuators. The vehicle user can select a manual drive mode option to operate the vehicle physically or the user can select an autonomous drive mode each mode allows the vehicle to operate more efficiently both indoors and outdoors. The vehicle is configured with a platform for standing, sitting and leaning, and the framework is configured with a front and rear drive system, the front drive system incorporates the steering column and one or more steering actuator which control front and rear propulsion systems. The propulsion includes; a DC powered truck module, a fork module, or a cantilever module, and each respectively comprise a drive motor, brake, sensor and accelerometers for self-balancing control. The steering column controlling system is the main driving force of the vehicle and utilizes wireless interface communication linked to short range proximity sensors including LIDAR or laser sensor unit, cameras, and handlebar throttles comprising grip force sensor to control speed and braking, and other vehicle devices. The steering column and framework contain an array of USB power cabling interconnecting electrical components to an IO communication network and to an electrical control system and battery bank.

In an inverted pendulum vehicle, the fore and aft dimension of the vehicle in a forwardly tilted, parked position is minimized. A pivot center line of a base end of a tail wheel arm is located inside a circle centered around a center of a tail wheel and having a radius equal to a distance between the center of the tail wheel and the rotational center line of the drive disks, and with respect to a hypothetical tail wheel arm, a first line is a line extending along the hypothetical tail wheel arm when the vehicle is in the upright position, and a second line is a line extending along the hypothetical tail wheel arm when the vehicle is in the forwardly tilted, park position, the pivot center line being located on or above a bisector of an angle formed by the first line and the second line.

An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.