A lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly and material handling cart. A drive wheel is supported on an axel between a fixed leg and a floating leg. The axel passes through the fixed leg without interference, but is captured in the floating leg by a self-aligning bearing. The axle is driven by a drive motor that is bolted to the fixed leg through a right-angle gearbox. A vertical suspension unit provides compliance for drive wheel traction. A lifter sub-assembly alternately raises and lowers the drive wheel into and out of contact with the ground. The lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly is attached to the bottom of a cart frame, along with a plurality of caster wheels. The cart includes a tow-bar that is moveable between raised and lowered positions. When the tow-bar is lowered condition for towing, the drive wheel automatically lifts out of contact with the ground.

Respective electric drive motors (13a, 13b) drive left and right drive wheels (10a, 10b) having friction brakes, including an electromechanical service brake (31a, 31b) and an auxiliary brake (32a, 32b) mechanically biasing them to a braked state. An elongate handlebar (16) for user control is mounted via a pair of force-sensing couplings (17a, 17b) including a resilient member (18) and a load sensor (19) sensing forces applied by a user to the handlebar and transmitting respective load signals. A controller (37) receives the load signals and controls a current applied to the electric drive motors (13a, 13b) so as to amplify the force sensed by the force-sensing couplings and to generate a torque proportional to a force applied by the user to the handlebar and to actuate an electric release actuator of the auxiliary brake (32a, 32b) when the force applied by the user to the handlebar exceeds a threshold.

Aspects relate to systems and methods for guided autonomous locomotion of a carriage, including a compartment configured to ensconce a child, a frame configured to support the compartment, a drive motor, a drivetrain operatively coupled to the drive motor; a drive wheel rotatably affixed to the frame, configured to contact a support surface and operatively coupled to the drivetrain, wherein operating the at least a drive motor causes the at least a drive wheel to rotate, an environmental sensor configured to sense an environmental characteristic related to an environment substantially surrounding the carriage; a battery configured to power the at drive motor and a controller configured to control the drive motor in response to the environmental characteristic.

A moving body includes: a plurality of wheels capable of rotating around a plurality of rotating shafts disposed on a circumference around a common axis; and a supporting unit supporting the plurality of rotating shafts to be capable of revolving around the axis. A first power source is connected to the plurality of wheels to be capable of transmitting power so as to rotate the plurality of wheels. A second power source is connected to the supporting unit to be capable of transmitting power so as to revolve the plurality of wheels.

A stroller system includes a stroller frame, a plurality of wheels connected to the stroller frame, a stroller seat attached to the stroller frame, a motor mounted on the stroller frame and configured to drive at least one of the plurality of wheels, a power source configured to supply power to the motor, and a controller configured to control the and thereby the movement of the stroller system.

Respective electric drive motors (13a, 13b) drive left and right drive wheels (10a, 10b) having friction brakes, including an electromechanical service brake (31a, 31b) and an auxiliary brake (32a, 32b) mechanically biasing them to a braked state. An elongate handlebar (16) for user control is mounted via a pair of force-sensing couplings (17a, 17b) including a resilient member (18) and a load sensor (19) sensing forces applied by a user to the handlebar and transmitting respective load signals. A controller (37) receives the load signals and controls a current applied to the electric drive motors (13a, 13b) so as to amplify the force sensed by the force-sensing couplings and to generate a torque proportional to a force applied by the user to the handlebar and to actuate an electric release actuator of the auxiliary brake (32a, 32b) when the force applied by the user to the handlebar exceeds a threshold.

A magnetic charging device for charging the battery batteries of an electric motorized cart has a plug unit a a charger unit. When the battery or batteries are charging, the plug unit and charger unit are releasably engaged with each other by a magnetic connection. A microprocessor controller provides a safety feature that ensures the plug unit is fully engaged with the charger unit before electricity is allowed to flow from the power source to the batteries.

The collapsible stroller is a manually propelled vehicle for transporting a child. The child is secured in a seat located within a pod mounted to a four-wheeled frame. The pod may have a transparent front to prevent protect the child from inclement weather. Vents located on the pod may allow air to circulate within the pod. One or more generators coupled to wheels may provide electricity to charge a battery located within the pod. The battery may be used to charge a device such as a smartphone, to operate lighting within the pod, or to operate ventilation fans. A modular insert may be placed over the child and filters may be attached to the modular insert to provide enhanced air filtration. The pod and frame may be disassembled and placed in a travel/storage bag when the stroller is not in use.

A lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly and material handling cart. A drive wheel is supported on an axel between a fixed leg and a floating leg. The axel passes through the fixed leg without interference, but is captured in the floating leg by a self-aligning bearing. The axle is driven by a drive motor that is bolted to the fixed leg through a right-angle gearbox. A vertical suspension unit provides compliance for drive wheel traction. A lifter sub-assembly alternately raises and lowers the drive wheel into and out of contact with the ground. The lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly is attached to the bottom of a cart frame, along with a plurality of caster wheels. The cart includes a tow-bar that is moveable between raised and lowered positions. When the tow-bar is lowered condition for towing, the drive wheel automatically lifts out of contact with the ground.

A system for generating current on a cart comprises a plurality of transmitting induction coils disposed below a surface. The plurality of transmitting induction coils is connected in an electrical circuit powered by mains power. Each transmitting induction coil generates an alternating electromagnetic field when powered by the mains power. A cart has a bottom area and a receiving induction coil coupled to the bottom area. The receiving induction coil generates an electrical current when approximately aligned with a given transmitting induction coil of the plurality of transmitting induction coils and is disposed within the alternating electromagnetic field generated by that given transmitting induction coil.