A system for assisting in aligning a vehicle for hitching with a trailer includes a steering system that adjusts a vehicle steering angle, a braking system that adjusts a vehicle speed, an imaging system that receives image data of a drawbar assembly being receivable in a hitch receiver, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect an edge of the drawbar assembly from the image data, target an endpoint at a fixed offset from the edge and a stationary point on the vehicle, and maneuver, via the steering and braking systems, the vehicle along a path to align the endpoint with the trailer.

Embodiments herein are directed to a wheelchair system that includes a wheelchair. The wheelchair includes a coupling mechanism, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium includes one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to determine the location of an accessory, position the wheelchair with respect to the accessory, and couple the wheelchair to the accessory via the coupling mechanism. The positioning of the wheelchair is independent from a user physically controlling the positioning of the wheelchair with respect to the accessory.

Embodiments herein are directed to a wheelchair system that includes a wheelchair. The wheelchair includes a coupling mechanism, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium includes one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to determine the location of an accessory, position the wheelchair with respect to the accessory, and couple the wheelchair to the accessory via the coupling mechanism. The positioning of the wheelchair is independent from a user physically controlling the positioning of the wheelchair with respect to the accessory.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch, and a drive mechanism. The hitch comprises a latch and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The receiving member comprises a pair of inwardly curved side scoops and a central incline member provided between the pair of inwardly curved side scoops, each inwardly curved side scoop having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a rear surface, and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The rear and upper surfaces of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops define an open rear end of the receiving member, the upper surface being sloped at the open rear end. The central incline member and the upper surface of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops cooperate to lead a cart hook to engage the latch.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch, and a drive mechanism. The hitch comprises a latch and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The receiving member comprises a pair of inwardly curved side scoops and a central incline member provided between the pair of inwardly curved side scoops, each inwardly curved side scoop having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a rear surface, and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The rear and upper surfaces of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops define an open rear end of the receiving member, the upper surface being sloped at the open rear end. The central incline member and the upper surface of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops cooperate to lead a cart hook to engage the latch.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch system, and a drive mechanism. The hitch system comprises a hitch and a hitch controller. The hitch comprises a latch, one or more sensors, an actuator, and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The actuator is positionable between retracted, intermediate, and extended positions. The receiving member is configured to lead a cart hook to engage the latch when in the closed position. The one or more sensors are configured to detect a position of the latch and a presence of the cart hook received within the receiving member. The hitch controller is configured to position the actuator in one of the retracted position, the intermediate position, and the extended position, and to position the latch in one of the open position and the closed position in response to signals received from the one or more sensors.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch system, and a drive mechanism. The hitch system comprises a hitch and a hitch controller. The hitch comprises a latch, one or more sensors, an actuator, and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The actuator is positionable between retracted, intermediate, and extended positions. The receiving member is configured to lead a cart hook to engage the latch when in the closed position. The one or more sensors are configured to detect a position of the latch and a presence of the cart hook received within the receiving member. The hitch controller is configured to position the actuator in one of the retracted position, the intermediate position, and the extended position, and to position the latch in one of the open position and the closed position in response to signals received from the one or more sensors.

A force sensing device generates an output signal containing information usable for determining a magnitude and a direction of a force acting on a coupling. The coupling has a hook and a linking element linking the hook to a connection flange. The linking element is linked to the hook and the connection flange by at least two pins. Each pin comprises a torque sensor. The linking element is arranged at an angle with respect to the hook such that independent of the angle of the slope between an imaginary horizontal plane and the longitudinal axis of the connection flange, the linking element does not reach a position, in which the two pins are arranged one above the other in a vertical direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the connection flange.

A force sensing device generates an output signal containing information usable for determining a magnitude and a direction of a force acting on a coupling. The coupling has a hook and a linking element linking the hook to a connection flange. The linking element is linked to the hook and the connection flange by at least two pins. Each pin comprises a torque sensor. The linking element is arranged at an angle with respect to the hook such that independent of the angle of the slope between an imaginary horizontal plane and the longitudinal axis of the connection flange, the linking element does not reach a position, in which the two pins are arranged one above the other in a vertical direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the connection flange.

An adjustable hitch mounted on a self-driving machine and providing a coupling to a trolley. The hitch includes generally two gas struts connected to two parallel arms to bias the hitch in an upward direction pivoting with respect to the driving machine. This enables the hitch to be moved in a vertical direction to facilitate it connecting with the trolley, typically the frame of the trolley, to allow for the hitch to be lowered to engage a frame of the trolley. An engagement assembly, being connected to the lifting arm, wherein it has a face and a jaw that are configured to securely engage with the wheeled equipment.