Abstract: A technique for facilitating deployment and stowing of a ballistic shield on a vehicle includes providing a central armored panel having a hinged connection to a base, which may be coupled to or integral with the vehicle. The hinged connection includes an axle and a set of torsion springs configured to exert a lifting torque on the central armored panel relative to the base, such that the central armored panel is movable about the hinged connection for assuming both an upright, deployed position and a laid-down, stowed position.

Abstract: An overridable failsafe brake apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The overridable failsafe brake apparatus includes (a) a lever accessible from outside the vehicle, the lever being operable at a first position and a second position; (b) a brake; and (c) a spring having a first end coupled to the lever and a second end coupled to the brake. (d) The lever disposed in the first position is configured to induce tension in the spring that enables the brake to be activated, and the lever disposed in the second position is configured to reduce tension in the spring to disable the brake from being engaged. A method of operating an overridable failsafe brake apparatus for a vehicle and a vehicle including an overridable failsafe brake apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a suspension protector to deflect debris away from a set of suspension components of a tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle includes a vehicle body, a suspension, and a set of suspension protectors. The suspension couples with the vehicle body and is constructed and arranged to control movement of the vehicle body using tracks. Each suspension protector couples with the vehicle body and is disposed a predefined distance from a respective wheel of the suspension to deflect debris thrown from the respective wheel and a respective track away from a respective set of suspension components of the suspension.

Abstract: A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.

Abstract: Example apparatuses and techniques are disclosed for towing tracked vehicles at high speeds without various deficiencies and for allowing a vehicle to be configured to extend supplemental wheels from a storage configuration into a ground support configuration in which the vehicle is able to make use of the supplemental wheels for additional ground support.

Abstract: A method performed by a controller device is provided. The method includes (a) connecting to a plurality of remote robotic vehicles over a wireless connection; (b) selectively controlling one of the plurality of remote robotic vehicles over the wireless connection; and (c) displaying, on a video screen of the controller device, a video stream received from the one remote robotic vehicle over the wireless connection. A corresponding method is provided to be performed by a robotic vehicle. Apparatuses, computer program products, and a system for performing the method(s) are also provided.

Abstract: Example techniques have been presented for providing tracked vehicles with deployable towing wheels. Such techniques involve a track vehicle having a vehicle body, a track coupled to the vehicle body, and a wheel assembly coupled to the vehicle body. The wheel assembly includes a wheel and is operable to assume a towing position in which at least a portion of the wheel extends below the track and enables the tracked vehicle to be towed on the wheel without the track making ground contact.

Abstract: Example apparatuses and techniques have been presented for towing tracked vehicles at high speeds without various deficiencies and for allowing a vehicle to be configured to extend supplemental wheels from a storage configuration into a ground support configuration in which the vehicle is able to make use of the supplemental wheels for additional ground support.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor plate defining a front and a back of the vehicle, wall sections to receive vehicle loading and transfer the vehicle loading to the floor plate, and a fluid delivery assembly supported by the floor plate. The fluid delivery assembly includes an intake manifold that resides at the back, an outlet that resides at the front, and a set of lateral conduits extending between the intake manifold and the outlet to laterally convey fluid entering the intake manifold from a fluid source to the outlet for delivery to a fluid target. Accordingly, the back may connect to the fluid source and the front may deliver the fluid thus keeping the vehicle sides and top available for other uses. Moreover, the low isolated placement of the fluid delivery assembly safeguards the fluid delivery assembly and provides a low center of gravity for vehicle stability.

Abstract: An overland vehicle is provided which includes a chassis with a roll-over protection structure, a powertrain configured to generate power to drive the overland vehicle, a first suspension system configured as a chassis to ground suspension system, and an operator compartment. The vehicle may also include a second suspension system configured to pneumatically suspend the operator compartment within the chassis, where the second suspension system includes a plurality of pneumatic couplers, including at least a first pneumatic coupler suspending the operator compartment to the chassis along a first vector extending in a first direction, and a second countering pneumatic coupler suspending the operator compartment to the chassis along a second vector extending in a second direction, where the second direction is generally opposite the first direction.