A motor vehicle has an electric drive and a primary energy source for the electric drive. The vehicle also has a solar cell module for supplying the primary energy source. The solar cell module can be designed in such a manner that it can be moved to an expanded position while in use in order to increase its surface area, and then moved to a constricted position to reduce its size when not in use. The solar cell module is designed so that it can be rolled out, fanned out or erected in order to increase its surface area.

Unmanned vehicles can be terrestrial, aerial, nautical, or multi-mode. Unmanned vehicles may efficiently accomplish tasks by autonomously charging or replacing its power source.

An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.

An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.

A method of vehicle operation includes, using one or more processors, receiving one or more inputs, from one or more sensors of a first vehicle and/or one or more sources communicatively coupled with the one or more processors, while the vehicle is traveling on a vehicle route. In implementations the one or more inputs are used to determine a distance between the first vehicle and a second vehicle and this distance is used as an input to a power management system to increase an energy efficiency of the first vehicle while traveling on the vehicle route. In implementations the one or more inputs and data regarding regenerative braking of the first vehicle are used to calculate one or more speeds and a power management system applies the one or more calculated speeds to the first vehicle. In implementations a reliability estimate is calculated for the one or more calculated speeds.

A system for managing heat in a mobile charger configured to provide power to an electric vehicle includes the mobile charger. The mobile charger includes a fuel cell stack, a heat reservoir, and a liquid coolant system including one or more liquid coolant loops configured to transfer heat between the fuel cell stack and the heat reservoir. The mobile charger further includes a computerized processor which is programmed to selectively control the liquid coolant system in one of a plurality of a thermal management modes configured to selectively remove heat from the fuel cell stack and provide heat to the fuel cell stack.

A method of vehicle operation includes, using one or more processors, receiving one or more inputs from one of one or more sensors of a first vehicle and one or more external sources communicatively coupled with the one or more processors. The one or more processors determine a plurality of optional routes existing between a first location of the first vehicle and a future destination of the first vehicle. Using the one or more inputs, the one or more processors predict a vehicle route by predicting which of the optional routes the first vehicle will take to get from the first location to the future destination.

An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.

Example electric vehicle charging systems and methods are described. In one example, multiple solar cells are configured to generate energy. A vehicle control system is coupled to the multiple solar cells and determines which of multiple electric vehicles to charge using energy from the multiple solar cells. The vehicle control system determines which electric vehicle to charge based on at least one environmental condition near the multiple solar cells.

A vehicle control device which is used in a vehicle traveling by electric power generated by solar power generation, includes: a solar radiation information acquisition unit which acquires solar radiation information showing a solar radiation amount on a travel route which is a planned travel route; and a target speed determination unit which determines a target speed on the travel route on the basis of the solar radiation information acquired by the solar radiation information acquisition unit and information in which the solar radiation amount is associated with the speed.