Powered wheel assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating such assemblies are provided.

Powered wheel assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating such assemblies are provided.

The vehicle includes: a chassis which includes a front cross-member and a rear cross-member; a nacelle receiving a person or a load, pivotally mounted relative to the central part of the cross-members about a substantially longitudinal hinge axis, the center of gravity of the nacelle being situated below said hinge axis; a front train and a rear train, each including two movement supports on the ground, each movement support being connected to the end part of the corresponding cross-member by a connecting system; the cross-members, situated in the upper part of the nacelle, being separate pieces linked together only by the nacelle, via the hinge axis, so as to be able to pivot about the hinge axis independently of one another.

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

A method for protecting the battery of a wheel unit fitted to a wheel of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes a central processing unit and the wheel unit includes at least a first sensor capable of measuring and of supplying an operating parameter of the wheel unit and a battery which supplies the wheel unit with power. The method including that the wheel unit transitions from an operational state to a non-operational state when the operating parameter reaches a predetermined upper threshold, and the wheel unit transitions from the non-operational state to the operational state when the operating parameter reaches a predetermined lower threshold.

Space-saving in an automobile or the like provided with a battery is achieved. Design flexibility of an automobile or the like can be improved. An electric power control method or an electric power control system capable of utilizing electric power efficiently is provided. It is an electric power control system of an automobile including a car body, a first battery, a second battery, and a control unit. The control unit obtains states of charge of the first battery and the second battery, determines whether or not a difference between remaining capacities of the first battery and the second battery exceeds a predetermined value, and controls transmission of electric power between the first battery and the second battery, in the case where the difference in the remaining capacities exceeds the predetermined value, to be made such that the remaining capacities are close to each other.

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

Vehicles are disclosed that are configured to carry loads in a stabilized manner, such that the load is maintained in a substantially constant position or orientation relative to a predetermined reference point or frame even as the vehicle moves. A stabilization controller in such a vehicle receives information about movement of the vehicle relative to the reference point or plane from one or more sensors on the vehicle, and uses the information to control one or more movable objects by which the load is secured to the vehicle so as to maintain a relatively constant relationship between the load and the reference point or plane.

Powered wheel assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating such assemblies are provided.

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.