The vehicle control device controls a vehicle configured to receive power by non-contact from a power transmission coil when passing over the power transmission coil. The vehicle control device includes a processor configured to prohibit lane changing by the vehicle in a predetermined range up to an end point of a power supply area where the power transmission coil is installed when the vehicle is running in a lane of the power supply area.

A method for bringing a vehicle closer to a vehicle-external primary charging unit configured to inductively charge the vehicle, where the vehicle includes a secondary charging unit, a camera system and a display device, includes the steps of a) capturing a real-time image of a vehicle environment using the camera system, wherein the primary charging unit is included in the real-time image, b) displaying the real-time image on the display device, and c) inserting at least one guide line into the real-time image. The direction and/or curvature of the guide line coincides with a steering angle lock of the vehicle such that the guide line corresponds to the trajectory of the vehicle in the case of the steering angle lock. The position of the at least one guide line in the real-time image of the vehicle environment is selected such that the guide line indicates a movement curve of the secondary charging unit of the vehicle. The method further includes indicating the movement curve of the secondary charging unit relative to the primary charging unit based on a movement of the vehicle by repeating steps a) to c).

A method for bringing a vehicle closer to a vehicle-external primary charging unit configured to inductively charge the vehicle, where the vehicle includes a secondary charging unit, a camera system and a display device, includes the steps of a) capturing a real-time image of a vehicle environment using the camera system, wherein the primary charging unit is included in the real-time image, b) displaying the real-time image on the display device, and c) inserting at least one guide line into the real-time image. The direction and/or curvature of the guide line coincides with a steering angle lock of the vehicle such that the guide line corresponds to the trajectory of the vehicle in the case of the steering angle lock. The position of the at least one guide line in the real-time image of the vehicle environment is selected such that the guide line indicates a movement curve of the secondary charging unit of the vehicle. The method further includes indicating the movement curve of the secondary charging unit relative to the primary charging unit based on a movement of the vehicle by repeating steps a) to c).

A system for charging one or more batteries of a vehicle may include a charging box mounted to a vehicle to facilitate connection to a charge coupler from under the vehicle. The charge coupler may be configured to provide an electrical connection between an electrical power source and the charging box. A vehicle including the charging box may maneuver to a position above the charge coupler, after which electrical contacts of the charging box and the charge coupler may be brought into contact with one another. The charge coupler and/or the charging box may be configured to provide electrical communication between the electrical power source and the one or more batteries, so that the electrical power source may charge one or more of the batteries. Thereafter, the electrical contacts may be separated from one another, and the vehicle may maneuver away from the charge coupler.

A system for charging one or more batteries of a vehicle may include a charging box mounted to a vehicle to facilitate connection to a charge coupler from under the vehicle. The charge coupler may be configured to provide an electrical connection between an electrical power source and the charging box. A vehicle including the charging box may maneuver to a position above the charge coupler, after which electrical contacts of the charging box and the charge coupler may be brought into contact with one another. The charge coupler and/or the charging box may be configured to provide electrical communication between the electrical power source and the one or more batteries, so that the electrical power source may charge one or more of the batteries. Thereafter, the electrical contacts may be separated from one another, and the vehicle may maneuver away from the charge coupler.

A power receiving and feeding apparatus is provided which includes a connector coupled to a power receiving and feeding outlet of an electric motor vehicle, a connector moving unit that moves the connector in a lateral direction and a vertical direction, and a position determination unit that determines a position of the power receiving and feeding outlet of the electric motor vehicle based on a position information of the electric motor vehicle and a vehicle information of the electric motor vehicle. The connector moving unit is caused to move the connector at a position higher than a predetermined height in the lateral direction and then in the vertical direction to align the connector to the position of the power receiving and feeding outlet so as to couple the connector to the power receiving and feeding outlet.

A power receiving and feeding apparatus is provided which includes a connector coupled to a power receiving and feeding outlet of an electric motor vehicle, a connector moving unit that moves the connector in a lateral direction and a vertical direction, and a position determination unit that determines a position of the power receiving and feeding outlet of the electric motor vehicle based on a position information of the electric motor vehicle and a vehicle information of the electric motor vehicle. The connector moving unit is caused to move the connector at a position higher than a predetermined height in the lateral direction and then in the vertical direction to align the connector to the position of the power receiving and feeding outlet so as to couple the connector to the power receiving and feeding outlet.

An equipment inspection system receives data captured by a sensor of an autonomous vehicle (AV). The captured data describes a current state of equipment for servicing the AV. The equipment inspection system compares the captured data to a model describing an expected state of the equipment. The equipment inspection system determines, based on the comparison, that the equipment differs from the expected state. The equipment inspection system may transmit data describing the current state of the equipment to an equipment manager. The equipment manager may schedule maintenance for the equipment based on the current state of the equipment.

Electrified vehicles are coupled together by a towing device for in-flight energy transfer. A remote-controlled parking system collects images from vehicle-mounted cameras to produce a 360° overhead live streaming image that is displayed on a smartphone linked to a vehicle controller. A user interface (UI) on the smartphone accepts a first touch from the user on the streaming image showing the vehicles at a starting position in order to specify a maneuver endpoint. The controller calculates a sequence of steering actions to create a path to the endpoint. The UI displays the calculate path as an overlay on the live image. The UI generates an activation signal in response to a second touch input on the touchscreen, and forwards the activation signal to the vehicle controller during the second touch input to move the vehicles according to the actuator commands only while the user maintains the second touch input.

Electrified vehicles are coupled together by a towing device for in-flight energy transfer. A remote-controlled parking system collects images from vehicle-mounted cameras to produce a 360° overhead live streaming image that is displayed on a smartphone linked to a vehicle controller. A user interface (UI) on the smartphone accepts a first touch from the user on the streaming image showing the vehicles at a starting position in order to specify a maneuver endpoint. The controller calculates a sequence of steering actions to create a path to the endpoint. The UI displays the calculate path as an overlay on the live image. The UI generates an activation signal in response to a second touch input on the touchscreen, and forwards the activation signal to the vehicle controller during the second touch input to move the vehicles according to the actuator commands only while the user maintains the second touch input.