This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

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 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.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

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.

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.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.