A vehicle control apparatus, configured to control a vehicle, includes an engine that is configured to drive wheels via a power transmission device. The vehicle control apparatus includes a towing state detector and an engine controller. The towing state detector is configured to detect whether the vehicle is in a towing state. The engine controller is configured to stop the engine in a case where a predetermined engine stopping condition is satisfied during traveling of the vehicle. The engine controller is configured to vary, in a case where the towing state detector detects that the vehicle is in the towing state, the predetermined engine stopping condition to reduce an operational range in which the engine is to be stopped compared with an operational range in a case where the towing state detector does not detect that the vehicle is in the towing state.

An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes features that allows the AV to comply with applicable regulations and statues for performing safe driving operation. An example system for an AV includes obtaining, by a computer located in the AV, an image from a camera located on the AV, where the image characterizes an area towards which the AV is driven on a lane on a road or a highway; determining, from the image, that a pedestrian or a cyclist is located next to the lane on the road or the highway; and in response to the determining, performing driving operations on the AV such as steering from a center of the lane to a first side of the lane that is away from the center of the lane and away from a location of the pedestrian or the cyclist, and/or slowing down the AV in response to certain conditions.

A traction control system for a trailing vehicle includes an electric machine, a ground engaging apparatus in contact with a ground surface, and a disconnect device connected between the electric machine and the ground engaging apparatus. The traction control system includes one or more speed sensors to determine a differential speed of the disconnect device. The traction control system includes a controller determines when to disengage the disconnect device based in part upon the speed of the ground engaging apparatus exceeding an upper threshold.

A mobile automobile service and charging Center 50 with a trailer opening to intake multiple vehicles simultaneously by using multiple walls extending to the exterior used to lift and transverse automobiles to the interior for service. Interior mechanisms are hydraulic, magnetic, and air pressure operated to further lift and modify the position of the vehicle in service. The interior includes multiple electric charging stations, an interactive maintenance display center, multiple automated sensing devices used to detect car type and diagnose malfunctions, internal/external part delivery portals, lounge, a restroom, conference room, and mechanic sanitation areas. In all configurations the mobile automobile service and charging Center is a powered double decker, solar power supplemented mobile trailer. When dispatched for diagnostic and maintenance the Center will externally to the trailer or internally lift automobiles to an appropriate height based on the best ergonomic position for the mechanic and transverse the vehicles in to the mobile Center based on sensor feedback and mechanic biometrics. The Center provides multiple options for service from below or above the automobile, with floors that lower and a roof that will open to allow for above automobile servicing. Telescopic and piston driven support chairs and platforms are internally deployed to allow mechanics an efficient ergonomic seating, standing, or lying position to provide service without discomfort. Contained within the mobile service center are sensors designed to diagnose, track automobile location and service history, track tools and to display technologies to facilitate high efficiency automobile service; such as alternator replacements, oil changes, battery charging, hose replacements, spark plug replacements and other diagnostic, service, and charging services. All data gathered by the interactive service Center is logged and analyzed by intelligent predicting software to provide customers with the best performance and service data for each Automobile that enters and exits the Center.

A transport refrigeration system includes a transportation refrigeration unit; an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit; and an electric generation device 340 operably connected through a mechanical interface 370 to at least one of a wheel 364 of the transport refrigeration system and a wheel axle 365 of the transport refrigeration system; the mechanical interface includes: a first clutch mechanism 371 operable to selectively engage the electric generation device with at least one of the wheel and the wheel axle to generate electrical power to charge the energy storage device; and a second clutch mechanism 372, the second clutch mechanism is an overrunning clutch configured to disengage the electric generation device from the wheel and/or the wheel axle when a rotational velocity of the electric generation device is greater than a rotational velocity of the wheel and/or the wheel axle.

A transport refrigeration system includes a transportation refrigeration unit and a generator (13) coupled to a wheel axle (7A) of the transport refrigeration system via a coupling (11). The generator (13) is configured to be driven to generate electricity by rotation of the wheel axle (7A) and to supply that electricity to the transportation refrigeration unit. The coupling (11) that couples the generator and the wheel axle is a magnetic coupling (11).

A vehicle includes a frame, a first support member including a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion supporting a first axle receiver, a first bellows mounted to the first end of the first support member, a second bellows mounted to the second end of the first support member, a second support member including a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate section supporting a second axle receiver, a third bellows mounted to the first end portion of the second support member, a fourth bellows mounted to the second end portion of the second support member, a first drive unit including a first transmission mounted to the first support member, and a first electric motor connected to the first transmission, and a second drive unit including a second transmission mounted to the second support member, and a second electric motor connected to the second transmission.

A method for determining a distance between a camera positioned on a rear portion of a tow vehicle and a trailer coupler supported by a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle as the tow vehicle approaches the trailer. The method includes identifying the trailer coupler of the trailer within one or more images of a rearward environment of the tow vehicle. The method also includes receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image from the one or more images and a previously received image from the one or more images. The method includes determining the distance based on the identified trailer coupler, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference, the distance includes a longitudinal distance, a lateral distance, and a vertical distance.

A trailer for towing by a power vehicle is provided and generally includes a frame and a tandem wheel assembly. The frame forms an undercarriage chassis which the tandem wheel assembly is positioned there under. The undercarriage chassis includes a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, and an extension assembly moving the front wheel assembly between trailing position and a self-propelled position where the rear wheel assembly and the front wheel assembly are positioned to equally support the undercarriage chassis.

Systems and method of forming a structure from a trailer body are disclosed herein. An example structure can be formed from a portion/section of a trailer, such as a semi-truck, or dry-van, trailer. The trailer has a unibody construction allowing the section(s) cut/formed therefrom to be self-supporting. The self-supporting sections can be enclosed on one or more open ends, i.e. the ends formed by cutting or sectioning the trailer, to enclose the section. The enclosed section can then be outfitted/equipped, as needed, to form the complete structure.