The present invention may include a processor that coupling vehicles into a linked vehicle, where each vehicle has a powertrain device with an attachment device, where the attachment device detaches the powertrain device from one of the vehicles. The processor causes the attachment device to detach the powertrain device from at least one of the vehicles based on determining that a weight of the linked vehicle should be reduced.

A method for stabilization of a convoy of vehicles linked in pairs one behind the other, includes a lead vehicle and at least one second vehicle comprising a front axle assembly with two wheels that are rotationally mobile about a front axis, a rear axle assembly with two wheels that are rotationally mobile about a rear axis, the front axis of a second vehicle coinciding with the rear axis of the vehicle preceding it, an articulation configured to render the rear axle assembly rotationally mobile about a vertical axis substantially at right angles to the reference plane relative to the front axle assembly, a sensor intended to estimate an orientation of the second vehicle, a computer, the method comprising the following steps: estimation of the position and the orientation of the vehicles, determination of the deviation between the actual trajectory and the reference trajectory, computation of a control vector to be applied to the two wheels of the front axle assembly, application of the first control vector to the two wheels of the front axle assembly of each second vehicle.

A guiding vehicle (100) for an intralogistics system, wherein the guiding vehicle (100) is remote controlled or autonomous and configured to be connected to a self-propelled load bearing cart (200), and guide and control the propulsion of the self-propelled load bearing cart (200) such that the load bearing cart (200) can transport a load in the intralogistics system. The guiding vehicle (100) comprising a mechanical connector (170) for mechanically connecting the guiding vehicle (100) to the load bearing cart (200) and a connector for transferring data. The guiding vehicle (100) is configured to receive navigation data from the self-propelled load bearing cart (200), using the connector for transferring data, in the form of information concerning the movement of a drive wheel of the load bearing cart (200) obtained from at least one motor of the load bearing cart (200) or from at least one encoder connected to the drive wheel.

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a first vehicle part (16) and a second vehicle part, wherein the first vehicle part (16) comprises a first running wheel (37, 38) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (59) and the second vehicle part comprises a second running wheel rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The first running wheel (37, 38) and the second running wheel have the same miming-wheel diameter. A first bearing means for rotatably mounting the first running wheel and a second bearing means for rotatably mounting the second miming wheel are interconnected by means of a joint mechanism (17) in such a way that the orientation of the first axis of rotation (59) and of the second axis of rotation relative to each other can be varied. By means of the joint mechanism (17), the vehicle can be transferred continuously from a first driving configuration with the first and second axes of rotation inclined relative to each other into a second driving configuration with the first and second axes of rotation parallel, and in the second driving configuration a distance of a first contact surface of the first miming (37, 38) from a second contact surface of the second miming wheel is less than one tenth of the running-wheel diameter.

One embodiment of an unmanned protective vehicle (UPV) includes a chassis, wheels, an engine, a barrier fixed to the chassis, and an autonomous driving system. The UPV has an opening which enables a manned vehicle to enter a space that is protected by the barrier. And the autonomous driving system is configured to drive the UPV in cooperation with the manned vehicle, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space. Having the manned vehicle inside the space of the UPV improves the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space, compared to the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is not located inside the space.

The invention relates to a drive module (1) for a vehicle (2), wherein the drive module (1) is adapted to be releasably connected to a functional module (6) for forming an assembled vehicle (2), the drive module (1) including: at least a pair of wheels (8); at least one propulsion unit (10) connected to the pair of wheels (8); at least one energy storage unit (12) for providing the propulsion unit (10) with energy; a control device (16) configured to operate the drive module (1) as an independently driven unit; and at least two interfaces (14) for releasable connection with a functional module (6), each interface (14) being arranged on different sides of the drive module (1). The invention also relates to a vehicle (2) assembled from a set of modules (1, 6).

The invention relates to a drive module for a vehicle, wherein the drive module is adapted to be releasably connected to a functional module for forming an assembled vehicle, the drive module comprising: at least a pair of wheels; at least one propulsion unit connected to the pair of wheels; at least one energy storage unit for providing the propulsion unit with energy; a control device configured to operate the drive module as an independently driven unit; and at least two interfaces for releasable connection with a functional module, each interface being arranged on different sides of the drive module. The invention also relates to a vehicle assembled from a set of modules.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for high-traffic density personalized transportation. An example system includes a transit carrier having a first movement system, first stacking couplers, first and second magnetic couplers, and a first location, a transit pod having a second movement system, second stacking couplers, and a second location, the second stacking couplers configured to couple to the first stacking couplers, and a controller to in response to obtaining a request to direct the transit carrier to move from the first location to the second location, invoke the transit pod to couple to the transit carrier by directing the transit pod to move on top of the transit carrier using the second movement system, and when the transit carrier is coupled to the transit pod, invoke the transit carrier to move the transit pod to a third location using the first movement system.

A passenger transport system has a pod adapted to carry passengers or articles and a first attachment interface, a plurality of transport vehicles, each adapted to couple to the passenger pod, a first entry station adapted to load a passenger or articles into the pod, a plurality of exchange points, and a final destination station adapted to unload the passenger or articles from the pod carried by the transport vehicle. The pod with a passenger or articles is loaded at the first entry station travels on transport vehicles between individual ones of the exchange stations, until arriving at the final destination station where the passenger or the articles are unloaded, the passenger or articles remaining in the pod through all exchanges between transport vehicles.

Joined automobiles are disclosed. Two separate joinable automobiles, each with its own control system, powertrain, and interior space, can be joined by means of built-in retractable coupling systems, providing a single joined automobile with a contiguous inner space, two powertrains which can be used singly or together, and two control systems. The coupling systems can be used by putting the automobiles in proximity to each other and engaging them, and/or disengaging them for separate use.