A modular auxiliary power module is described for a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped. The modular auxiliary power module includes a base adapter platform, a cargo door, an auxiliary power source, and an output power outlet disposed on the base adapter platform as part of a modular component electronics interface. A top side of the base adapter platform has a cargo support area configured to support the item being shipped. Interlocking alignment interfaces (such as channels or latches) are on the top and bottom of the platform. The cargo door is movably attached to and extending from an edge of the base adapter platform, and the output power outlet is coupled to the auxiliary power source and provides access to power for other components of the modular autonomous bot apparatus from the auxiliary power source.

A modular cargo storage system (CSS) is described for use on a base platform of a modular autonomous bot apparatus that transports an item being shipped. The modular CSS includes a set of folding structural walls, an interlocking alignment interface on at least one of the walls, and a modular component power and data transport bus. The walls at least partially enclose a payload area above the base platform. The interlocking alignment interface has a set of latches and a locking handle coupled to the set of latches that actuates the latches to interlock with the base platform. The power and data transport bus have top and bottom side modular component electronics interfaces where each interface has a power conduit outlet and a command and data communication interface.

A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is described for transporting an item being shipped. The assembly includes a modular mobility base having propulsion, steering, sensors for collision avoidance, and suspension actuators; a modular auxiliary power module with a power source and cargo door; a modular cargo storage system with folding structural walls and a latching system; and a modular mobile autonomy module that covers the cargo storage system and provides human interaction interfaces, externals sensors, a wireless interface, and an autonomous controller with interfacing circuitry coupled to the human interaction interfaces and sensors on the mobile autonomy module. The assembly has a power and data transport bus that provides a communication and power conduit across the different modular components. A method for on-demand assembly of such a bot apparatus is further described with steps for authenticating the different modular components during assembly.

A method for detecting a slope of a road on which a vehicle is traveling in at least one spatial direction. The vehicle has a body and a chassis with a plurality of wheels. An inclination of the vehicle body in the spatial direction is determined. For at least one wheel, a vertical distance to the vehicle body is detected. The distance so determined is used to calculate an inclination of the chassis in the spatial direction. The slope of the road in the spatial direction is determined from a difference between the inclination of the vehicle body in the spatial direction and the inclination of the chassis in the spatial direction.

A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is described for transporting an item being shipped. The assembly includes a modular mobility base having propulsion, steering, sensors for collision avoidance, and suspension actuators; a modular auxiliary power module with a power source and cargo door; a modular cargo storage system with folding structural walls and a latching system; and a modular mobile autonomy module that covers the cargo storage system and provides human interaction interfaces, externals sensors, a wireless interface, and an autonomous controller with interfacing circuitry coupled to the human interaction interfaces and sensors on the mobile autonomy module. The assembly has a power and data transport bus that provides a communication and power conduit across the different modular components. A method for on-demand assembly of such a bot apparatus is further described with steps for authenticating the different modular components during assembly.

The disclosure concerns a tilting vehicle with at least one multi-wheel axle, a vehicle structure and a control unit that is arranged to detect a lateral acceleration acting on the tilting vehicle and actively adjust a tilt angle of the structure of the vehicle about the longitudinal axis thereof. In order to optimize adjustment of the tilt angle in a tilting vehicle, the control unit is arranged to adjust the tilt angle so that in a direction of a lateral axis of the structure of the vehicle, a Y component of the lateral acceleration is partially compensated by a Y component of acceleration due to gravity according to a specified compensation proportion. The compensation proportion increases as a function of the lateral acceleration to a global maximum value at a first acceleration, and decreases above the first acceleration.

A modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly is described for transporting an item being shipped. The assembly includes a modular mobility base having propulsion, steering, sensors for collision avoidance, and suspension actuators; a modular auxiliary power module with a power source and cargo door; a modular cargo storage system with folding structural walls and a latching system; and a modular mobile autonomy module that covers the cargo storage system and provides human interaction interfaces, externals sensors, a wireless interface, and an autonomous controller with interfacing circuitry coupled to the human interaction interfaces and sensors on the mobile autonomy module. The assembly has a power and data transport bus that provides a communication and power conduit across the different modular components. A method for on-demand assembly of such a bot apparatus is further described with steps for authenticating the different modular components during assembly.

Disclosed herein is a transport device with a platform that pivots relative to a frame of the transport device. A pivot angle of the platform is altered with an actuator controlled by a transport computer. The pivot angle is based, at least in part, on a predicted change in velocity, a determined change in ground surface, a determined ground slope, and a center of gravity of a user and of the transport device.

Self-propelled vehicles that adjust the pitch of the vehicle during use are disclosed. The vehicle may include a suspension system position sensor and a control unit that adjusts a suspension element based at least in part on a signal from the suspension system position sensor. In some embodiments, the self-propelled vehicle may include an inclinometer for measuring the pitch of the terrain.

A road work machine comprises a frame, a plurality of ground engaging units, a plurality of vertically moveable legs connecting the plurality of ground engaging units to the frame, respectively, a hydraulic system to control heights of the plurality of vertically moveable legs, pressure sensors for sensing hydraulic pressures in the plurality of vertically movable legs, and a controller configured to, in response to signals received from the pressure sensors, generate a control signal. A method for ride control can comprise adjusting an attitude of the machine in response to sensed pressures.