A wheelchair having two drive wheels, each provided with a rotary drive motor wherein the value of the drive torque applied by each motor is controlled such as to stabilize the wheelchair, while in motion on the two drive wheels and occupied by a user, in an inclined balance position.

A robot controllable by a portable device, the robot including: a support; a balancing module configured to balance the robot; and a base mounted to the support, the base including a first wheel coaxially aligned with a second wheel and a motor drivably coupled to the first and second wheel.

An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.

An inverted vehicle according to the present invention includes: wheel; a base that holds the wheel; a step cover on which a rider rides, the step cover being connected to an upper portion of the base; an elastic element that is connected to the upper portion of the base and elastically supports the step cover; a detection portion that is provided between the base and the step cover and detects a pressing force applied from the step cover when the rider is riding on the inverted vehicle and the elastic element is elastically deformed to thereby depress the step cover; and a control portion that drives the wheel based on the detection of the pressing force by the detection portion. The step cover is connected to the base with a hinge.

A method is provided for controlling braking force in regenerative brake cooperative control of an environmentally friendly vehicle that executes regenerative braking at front wheels and/or rear wheels. A brake system that independently adjusts the braking forces of the front and rear wheels is employed to distribute braking force to assure vehicle stability, to improve fuel efficiency and to have improved braking performance.

A robotic omniwheel system for motion comprising various components such as in wheel motor assemblies with brake, supportive hub and axle assemblies, strut and yoke assemblies for suspension, a motor device having controller for steering motion, a motorized universal joint for rocking motion, an active transmission rod to uniquely engage lift and expansion which are managed by a drive logic system comprising status control system and sensor array, laser radar, GPS, and as well as manual navigational control system including wireless remote control for communication and monitoring motion states for transport and to monitor power levels therein. As well, an electrical system includes battery array to furnish power for the robotic omniwheel array assemblies and to the electrical components via power cable. Accordingly, a navigational system can control components by a cell phone device and by a remote controller device with toggle switches, and also by a remote control panel having touch screen monitor and thusly allowing the robotic omniwheel array to move about in a holonomic manner for transport.

A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each having a concave front footpad configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. The concave front footpad has a rider detection sensor in the form of a membrane switch conforming to the shape of the footpad (e.g., facilitated by one or more slots formed in the membrane switch). A motor assembly drives the vehicle in response to board orientation and rider detection information. The vehicle may have a secondary battery chargeable via a three-pin charging port including an input pin, a ground pin, and an identification pin configured to receive an expected identification signal from an external charging circuit.

The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for providing stability to a vehicle using one or more auxiliary support members on the vehicle, such as lateral sides of the vehicle. The auxiliary support members may extend away from the vehicle body to approach and/or touch a support surface and provide stability and in some cases additional centripetal force to facilitate steering of the vehicle. The auxiliary support members may also retract towards the vehicle.

Electromechanical systems using magnetic fields to induce eddy currents and generate lift and/or thrust are described. Magnet configurations which can be employed in the systems are illustrated. The magnet configuration, rotation, and/or tilt can be used to generate lift and/or thrust. Arrangements of hover engines, which can employ the magnet configurations, are described. Further, vehicles, which employ the hover engines and associated hover engines are described.

A powered unicycle device, comprising: a single wheel; a motor adapted to drive the wheel; a balance control system adapted to maintain fore-aft balance of the unicycle device by controlling the motor; at least one foot platform for supporting a user of the unicycle device; and a casing comprising at least two casing portions adapted to be movable between a closed configuration, in which the outer rim of the wheel is substantially covered, and an open configuration, in which at least a portion of the outer rim of the wheel is exposed for contacting a ground surface.