A drive force control system to increase a yaw rate greater than the yaw rate achieved by rotating a steering wheel to a maximum angle. A target yaw rate is calculated based on a steering angle of the steering wheel. A first predetermined torque and a second predetermined torque are calculated based on a difference between the target yaw rate and an actual yaw rate. When the steering angle of the steering wheel exceeds a first predetermined angle, a first correction torque to correct the first predetermined torque and a second correction torque to correct the second predetermined torque are calculated n accordance with the steering torque.

A torque vectoring system for a hub motor drive system uses a motor control unit instead of a vehicle control unit to conduct torque vectoring calculation, so that a target motor torque can be obtained more reasonably and the real-time property is improved. In addition, as it is unnecessary to conduct calculation with the vehicle control unit, torque distribution and torque change can be evaluated on a testbed of the motor control unit prior to integrating the torque vectoring system into the vehicle.

A method for steering a four-wheeled vehicle includes: determining a front wheel steering angle; determining a responsive low-speed steering angle of the two rear wheels, the responsive low-speed steering angle being (i) negative when the front wheel steering angle is positive, and (ii) positive when the front wheel steering angle is negative; determining a responsive high-speed steering angle of the two rear wheels, the responsive high-speed steering angle being (i) non-negative when the front wheel steering angle is positive, and (ii) non-positive when the front wheel steering angle is negative; determining a responsive rear wheel steering angle being a sum of the responsive low-speed and high-speed steering angles; and controlling a steering actuator to steer the two rear wheels in accordance with the responsive rear wheel steering angle.

A vehicle and steering system for a vehicle are described. The vehicle is described to include a frame and a first set of wheels configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. Each wheel in the first set of wheels is independently motor controlled and pivotably mounted to the frame such that the first set of wheels spin about a first steering axis. The first steering axis may be orthogonal to the first rotational axis.

A steering axle drive assembly includes a steering axle having opposite ends, a wheel pivotally connected with each steering axle end, and a control mechanism. The wheels are operated by the control mechanism for rotation about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. When the axle is connected with a vehicle, the control mechanism controls the steering axle wheels independent of other wheels of the vehicle, such as the main drive wheels, to steer and drive the vehicle from an origin in any direction without passing through the origin. Preferably, a motor or linear actuator controls the rotation of the steering axle wheels. The steering axle drive assembly can be further improved by including an angled axle.

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling steering of a vehicle arrangement. The method is controlling steering of the vehicle arrangement during a turning maneuver, by applying a differential wheel speed by at least one of individually controllable electric machines and reducing the operational capacity of a power steering system, when a first power utilization value, obtained by operating the individually controllable electric machines with the differential wheel speed, is equal to, or greater than a second power utilization value, obtained by operating the power steering system during the turning maneuver.

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a front dig mode. The front dig mode is engaged in response to determining that speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold and determining that the amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the front dig mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, resistance is applied to forward rotation of the inner back wheel of the vehicle. Yet further, forward torque is provided to the outer back wheel of the vehicle.

A location of an occupant within a vehicle and/or an activity engaged in by the occupant may be determined. Based on the location and/or the activity, a point of interest associated with the occupant and/or the vehicle may be determined. One or more systems of the vehicle, such as the steering and/or suspension, may be controlled to minimize acceleration associated with the point of interest, thereby increasing a comfort of the occupant. In instances where the vehicle includes more than one occupant, the vehicle may be adjusted to accommodate the multiple occupants.

A robotic vehicle for traversing surfaces comprises a chassis having a plurality of wheels mounted thereto. Two magnetic drive wheels are spaced apart in a lateral direction and rotate about a rotational axis while a stabilizing wheel is provided in front of or behind the two drive wheels. The drive wheels are configured to be driven independently, thereby driving and steering the vehicle along the surface. The vehicle also includes a sensor probe assembly that is supported by the chassis and configured to take measurements of the surface being traversed. In accordance with a salient aspect, the vehicle includes a probe normalization mechanism that is configured to determine the surface curvature and adjust the orientation of the probe transducer as a function of the curvature of the surface, thereby maintaining the probe at the preferred inspection angle irrespective of changes in the surface curvature with vehicle movement.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a body constructed to enable the UAV to fly and three or more legs connected to the body and configured to land and perch the UAV on a curved ferromagnetic surface. Each leg includes a first portion connected to the body, a second portion including a magnet and configured to magnetically attach and maintain the magnetic attachment of the leg to the ferromagnetic surface during the landing and perching, and a passive articulation joint connecting the first and second portions and configured to passively articulate the second portion with respect to the first portion in response to the second portion approaching the ferromagnetic surface. The UAV further includes a releasable crawler including magnetic wheels which detach the crawler from the body during the perching and maneuver the crawler on the ferromagnetic surface while magnetically attaching the crawler to the ferromagnetic surface after detachment.