A system for discharging or charging a capacitor of a hybrid vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a target state of charge (SOC) module and a capacitor charge/discharge module. The target SOC module determines a target state of charge of the capacitor based on a speed of the vehicle. The capacitor charge/discharge module determines whether a state of charge of a capacitor is greater than a target state of charge. The capacitor charge/discharge module dissipates power from the capacitor to at least one of a battery of the vehicle and an electrical load of the vehicle when the state of charge of the capacitor is greater than the target state of charge.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.

A charge control system for a vehicle, which is configured to control charging of a power storage device, includes a user detector that determines whether a user is present within a predetermined range relative to the vehicle, and a vehicle electronic control unit configured to permit the power storage device to be charged with electric power generated by the generator, in addition to the power from the outside of the vehicle, during external charging, when the user detector determines that the user is present within the predetermined range. The vehicle ECU is configured to inhibit power generation by the generator during external charging when the user detector determines that the user is not present within the predetermined range.

A vehicle includes a body holding device configured to hold the body of a seated driver; a travel control unit configured to drive the vehicle body so that it travels; and a maximum vehicle speed setting unit configured to set a set maximum vehicle speed. The travel control unit controls an output from the driving unit based on the operation amount of an accelerator device if the vehicle speed is lower than the set maximum vehicle speed, and restricts the output from the driving unit irrespective of the operation amount of the accelerator device if the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the set maximum vehicle speed. The maximum vehicle speed setting unit sets, if it is detected that the body holding device is worn, a first vehicle speed as the set maximum vehicle speed, and sets, if it is detected that the body holding device is not worn, a second vehicle speed lower than the first vehicle speed as the set maximum vehicle speed.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

The invention relates to a method for automatically connecting a charging connector (12) to a charging connector socket (21) of a vehicle (2), preferably a land vehicle (2), comprising at least the following steps: first optical capturing (100) of the charging connector socket (21) and/or the vehicle (2) as a first image by means of at least one first image capturing unit (13) which is arranged to be movable with the charging connector (12), determining (200) the position of the charging connector socket (21) and/or of the vehicle (2) based on the first image, reducing (300) the distance between the charging connector (12) and the charging connector socket (21) and/or the vehicle (2) by means of a positioning unit (10), and second optical capturing (400) of the charging connector socket (21) and/or of the vehicle (2) as a second image by means of the first image capturing unit (13).

An information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor is configured to estimate whether a fellow passenger is included in occupants of a vehicle, when the fellow passenger is included in the occupants, acquire information relating to a driver of the vehicle and information relating to the fellow passenger, estimate a relationship between the driver and the fellow passenger based on the acquired information, and select a control relating to traveling of the vehicle according to the relationship.

A device for controlling a drive energy system of a hybrid or electric vehicle, a hybrid or electric vehicle having the same and a method for controlling a drive energy system of a hybrid or electric vehicle and noise emission control of a drive energy system of the hybrid or electric vehicle are provided.

A method of controlling a drone positioned in a vehicle includes: determining the initial condition of the drone positioned inside the vehicle, releasing locking of the drone upon receiving a user request from a vehicle controller, receiving vehicle state information from the vehicle controller by a drone controller, performing flight of the drone in response to the user request, and after completing the user request, returning the drone to an initial position thereof.

Various systems and methods associated with protecting a rider of an electric bicycle from hazards while riding their bicycle are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods enhance the safety of the rider in response current detected conditions surrounding the rider, such as conditions associated with the route or path traveled by the rider, other vehicles within the route or path traveled by the rider, potential hazards within the route or path traveled by the rider, environmental conditions through which the rider is traveling, and so on.