Abstract: Provided is a self-driving vehicle, e.g., a follower vehicle, that engages in communicative behaviors using body dynamics. Also provided is a method of using body dynamics to communicate behaviors in a self-driving vehicle. The vehicle may include a shifting assembly configured to shift and/or tilt a vehicle body to communicate such behaviors, e.g., acceleration, deceleration, and near constant velocity. The shifting and/or tilting of the body in combination with the vehicle's operation communicates those operations to bystanders. With better informed bystanders, improved safety between bystanders and the vehicle may be achieved.

Abstract: Provided is a self-powered vehicle, comprising: a mechanical drive system, a set of sensors, and a controller coupled to the mechanical drive system to move the vehicle. The self-powered vehicle can operate in a plurality of modes, including a pair mode and a smart behavior mode. In pair mode the vehicle follows the trajectory of a user and in smart behavior mode the vehicle performs autonomous behavior. The self-powered vehicle operates with hysteresis dynamics, such that the movements of the vehicle are consistent with ergonomic comfort of the user and third-party pedestrian courtesy. The self-powered vehicle can operate with other self-powered vehicles in a convoy.

Abstract: Provided is a self-powered vehicle, comprising: a mechanical drive system, a set of sensors, and a controller coupled to the mechanical drive system to move the vehicle. The self-powered vehicle can operate in a plurality of modes, including a pair mode and a smart behavior mode. In pair mode the vehicle follows the trajectory of a user and in smart behavior mode the vehicle performs autonomous behavior. The self-powered vehicle operates with hysteresis dynamics, such that the movements of the vehicle are consistent with ergonomic comfort of the user and third-party pedestrian courtesy. The self-powered vehicle can operate with other self-powered vehicles in a convoy.

Abstract: Provided is a self-powered vehicle, comprising: a mechanical drive system, a set of sensors, and a controller coupled to the mechanical drive system to move the vehicle. The self-powered vehicle can operate in a plurality of modes, including a pair mode and a smart behavior mode. In pair mode the vehicle follows the trajectory of a user and in smart behavior mode the vehicle performs autonomous behavior. The self-powered vehicle operates with hysteresis dynamics, such that the movements of the vehicle are consistent with ergonomic comfort of the user and third-party pedestrian courtesy. The self-powered vehicle can operate with other self-powered vehicles in a convoy.

Abstract: Provided is a method of modeling behavior for a self-driving vehicle, e.g., as a follower vehicle. Also provided is a vehicle configured to execute the behavior model to cooperatively navigate at least one structural element in an environment. The structural element can be or include a door, a vestibule, and/or an elevator, as examples. The behavior model can be formed by a method that includes tracking and measuring leader-follower interactions and actions with at least one structural element of an environment, representing the leader behaviors and the follower behavior in a behavior model, and electronically storing the behavioral model. The leader-follower interactions and actions can include leader behaviors and follower behaviors, including starts, stops, pauses, and movements of the leader, follower vehicle, and/or objects.

Abstract: Provided is a self-driving vehicle, e.g., a follower vehicle, that engages in communicative behaviors using body dynamics. Also provided is a method of using body dynamics to communicate behaviors in a self-driving vehicle. The vehicle may include a shifting assembly configured to shift and/or tilt a vehicle body to communicate such behaviors, e.g., acceleration, deceleration, and near constant velocity. The shifting and/or tilting of the body in combination with the vehicle's operation communicates those operations to bystanders. With better informed bystanders, improved safety between bystanders and the vehicle may be achieved.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle is provided. The two-wheeled vehicle includes a chassis, and a first wheel carriage moveably coupled to, and longitudinally displaceable relative to the chassis. At least a first wheel is rotationally mounted on the first wheel carriage, and coupled to the chassis through the first wheel carriage. The two-wheeled vehicle further includes a first linear actuator system coupled to the first wheel carriage, and configured to longitudinally displace the first wheel carriage relative to the chassis. A first motor is mounted to the first wheel and the first wheel carriage. The first motor is configured to provide a drive energy to the first wheel, and to be displaced along with the first wheel carriage as the first wheel is displaced by the first linear actuator system.

Abstract: Provided is a self-powered vehicle, comprising: a mechanical drive system, a set of sensors, and a controller coupled to the mechanical drive system to move the vehicle. The self-powered vehicle can operate in a plurality of modes, including a pair mode and a smart behavior mode. In pair mode the vehicle follows the trajectory of a user and in smart behavior mode the vehicle performs autonomous behavior. The self-powered vehicle operates with hysteresis dynamics, such that the movements of the vehicle are consistent with ergonomic comfort of the user and third-party pedestrian courtesy. The self-powered vehicle can operate with other self-powered vehicles in a convoy.

Abstract: Provided is a method of modeling behavior for a self-driving vehicle, e.g., as a follower vehicle. Also provided is a vehicle configured to execute the behavior model to cooperatively navigate at least one structural element in an environment. The structural element can be or include a door, a vestibule, and/or an elevator, as examples. The behavior model can be formed by a method that includes tracking and measuring leader-follower interactions and actions with at least one structural element of an environment, representing the leader behaviors and the follower behavior in a behavior model, and electronically storing the behavioral model. The leader-follower interactions and actions can include leader behaviors and follower behaviors, including starts, stops, pauses, and movements of the leader, follower vehicle, and/or objects.

Abstract: Provided is a method of modeling behavior for a self-driving vehicle, e.g., as a follower vehicle. Also provided is a vehicle configured to execute the behavior model to cooperatively navigate at least one structural element in an environment. The structural element can be or include a door, a vestibule, and/or an elevator, as examples. The behavior model can be formed by a method that includes tracking and measuring leader-follower interactions and actions with at least one structural element of an environment, representing the leader behaviors and the follower behavior in a behavior model, and electronically storing the behavioral model. The leader-follower interactions and actions can include leader behaviors and follower behaviors, including starts, stops, pauses, and movements of the leader, follower vehicle, and/or objects.

Abstract: Provided is a method of modeling behavior for a self-driving vehicle, e.g., as a follower vehicle. Also provided is a vehicle configured to execute the behavior model to cooperatively navigate at least one structural element in an environment. The structural element can be or include a door, a vestibule, and/or an elevator, as examples. The behavior model can be formed by a method that includes tracking and measuring leader-follower interactions and actions with at least one structural element of an environment, representing the leader behaviors and the follower behavior in a behavior model, and electronically storing the behavioral model. The leader-follower interactions and actions can include leader behaviors and follower behaviors, including starts, stops, pauses, and movements of the leader, follower vehicle, and/or objects.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle is provided. The two-wheeled vehicle includes a chassis, and a first wheel carriage moveably coupled to, and longitudinally displaceable relative to the chassis. At least a first wheel is rotationally mounted on the first wheel carriage, and coupled to the chassis through the first wheel carriage. The two-wheeled vehicle further includes a first linear actuator system coupled to the first wheel carriage, and configured to longitudinally displace the first wheel carriage relative to the chassis. A first motor is mounted to the first wheel and the first wheel carriage. The first motor is configured to provide a drive energy to the first wheel, and to be displaced along with the first wheel carriage as the first wheel is displaced by the first linear actuator system.