A transportation system that includes one or more pods that include an interior space configured to house one or more travelers. The pods can be attached to and transported by multiple different vehicles. The different vehicles can provide for different modes of transportation. The pods are configured to supply one or more utility functions to the interior space. One or more of the utility functions to be supplied from the vehicles to the pods when the pods are attached to the vehicles.

A modular vehicle is generally presented where the modular vehicle is generally configured to be rearranged into different driving, passenger, and storage configurations using a plurality of different modules that interface with a powered chassis. The vehicle may include a plurality of modules arranged on the powered chassis. The modules may vary in size and shape and may be configured to interface with the chassis. The powered chassis is designed to include all power and drivetrain components as well as the wheel connections and wheels, all within a generally flat platform that is intended to support the vehicle modules.

A low floor road vehicle, in the form for example of a passenger bus, includes a front module that includes the front load-carrying axle at its front, a rear module including the rear load-carrying axle, a central module having a flat floor and lateral side walls that longitudinally extend beyond both longitudinal ends of the flat floor so as to define front and back module attaching portions, and a roof mounted to both lateral side walls so as to extend beyond the floor both towards the front and back, which brings rigidity to the overall structure. The vehicle being modular, the central module can be configured to a specific application, for example by varying the length thereof, while same configurations of the front and rear modules can be used in all applications. Also, the front axle being located at the front of the front module, the access to the passenger area defined by the flat floor is improved.

A side-impact crash structure may be positioned proximate an end of a vehicle to reduce impact forces imparted to an occupant during a side collision. The side-impact crash structure may include energy absorbers positioned on lateral sides of the vehicle between the passenger compartment and a longitudinal end of the vehicle. The energy absorbers may be configured to absorb impact forces over a limited ride-down distance (the distance over which the deceleration occurs) to prevent damage to both the occupants and one or more components or systems of the vehicle. The energy absorbers can be configured to deform along an oblique axis of the vehicle under a compressive force. The side-impact crash structure may include one or more load spreaders disposed between the energy absorbers that disperse the impact force to other portions of the vehicle.

A container for delivering packages comprising a plurality of package storage modules, each module comprising an individually controlled access door on an external wall of the transport, wherein one or more packages are placed in at least some of the plurality of modules at a distribution point, wherein the container is configured to be transported to multiple delivery destinations, and wherein, upon arrival at each delivery destination, the appropriate access door receives a signal to allow access to the package intended for that delivery destination.

A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for drop off points at end destinations. A fleet of delivery vehicles are configured to transport the containers from the warehouse to an end destination. At least one delivery robot is carried with each container and the delivery robot is configured to carry at least one package from the container at the end destination to the drop off point.

A vehicle for delivering packages, comprising a tractor comprising a motor, a pair of front wheels, a rear wheel, and a rail between the pair of front wheels and the rear wheel, and a removable container comprising a space for storing packages where a bottom of the container is configured to fit over and mount to the rail.

A fleet for delivering packages comprising a first number of containers, each container comprising at least one compartment for receiving packages at a main distribution center. The container comprises a first attachment member on an outer surface and a second attachment member on an outer surface. The fleet comprises a second number of long-range transports, each long-range transport is configured to carry multiple containers from the main distribution center to an intermediate distribution center, each long-range transport comprising multiple first attachment receivers, whereby the multiple containers are attached to the long-range transports during transport from the main distribution center to the intermediate distribution center. The fleet comprises a third number of short-range tractors, each short-range tractor is configured to carry at least one container from the intermediate distribution center to delivery destinations for the packages in the container, each tractor comprising at least one second attachment receiver, whereby the at least one container is attached to the short-range tractor during transport from the intermediate distribution center to the delivery destinations and back to the intermediate distribution center. The third number is at least twice as large as the second number and wherein the first number is at least twice as large as the third number.

A system for delivering packages comprising a plurality of containers, each container having a plurality of package storage compartments and each compartment comprising an individually controlled access door on an external wall of the container. One or more packages are placed in at least some of the plurality of modules at a distribution center wherein the container is configured to be transported between the distribution center and a pickup location. Upon arrival at the pickup location, the container is parked and wherein recipients of the packages in the compartments of the container are notified of the arrival of the packages at the pickup location. Each recipient is provided access to the compartment containing the package intended for that recipient.

A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of self-propelled long-range transports and a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for end destinations. Each long-range transport is configured to be loaded with at least four of the loaded containers and transport the at least four of the loaded containers from the warehouse to one or more intermediate destinations. Upon arrival of one of the loaded long-range transports at one of the one or more intermediate destinations, at least one of the loaded containers is separated from the loaded long-range transport, whereupon the separated container delivers packages to end destinations proximate to the one of the one or more intermediate destinations. After delivery of at least some of the packages loaded thereon at the warehouse, the container is once again loaded on the long-range transport and returned to the warehouse to be loaded with more packages.