Abstract: Steering is used to augment the CMG-based balance control of a two-wheeled vehicle, e.g., a bicycle, electric bicycle (“ebike”), scooter, electric scooter, moped, or motorcycle. A control architecture enables a two wheeled vehicle with simultaneously or alternating mechatronic attitude control systems to balance autonomously at rest or while dynamically driven with mechatronic command.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a direction and speed of travel an autonomous vehicle or driver assisted autonomous vehicle (AV). A GPS and map module receive a start location and a destination location for the AV. A plurality of sensors identify a current and a proposed lane for the AV. A database of AV baseline maneuver profiles used to control one or more of direction and speed of travel of the AV is provided. A trajectory profile generator module generates a planned path for the AV with lateral acceleration less than 2 Hz, based on the start location, the destination location, the current and proposed lane for the AV, and a selected AV baseline maneuver profile from the database. A steering control module controls the direction of travel of the AV based on the generated AV planned path, and a supervisory control module controls the speed of the AV based on the generated AV planned path and inner ear constraints.

Abstract: A control path is added to a two-wheeled self-balancing vehicle that has steering augmentation and CMG or reaction wheel actuators for roll balancing. These actuators are used to damp yaw disturbances while preventing roll disturbances, based on a yaw rate disturbance signal received on the control path.

Abstract: An augmented traction system for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a CMG (control moment gyroscope) system including a plurality of CMGs to provide a first torque vector to decrease a roll angle of a turn of the vehicle and to increase force on one or more of the tires of the vehicle on a road surface, a steering system for the vehicle, the steering system to determine a steering control for the turn of the vehicle at a particular vehicle speed and roll angle, based on sensor data, and an aerodynamic control system to actuate one or more aerodynamic elements of the vehicle, the one or more aerodynamic elements to provide a second torque vector to decrease the roll angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for autonomous control of transport of a two-wheeled motorized scooter or e-bike includes receiving at service provider's application via a communications network input that the scooter is parked, transmitting a communication from the service provider's application via the communications network to the scooter to request transport of the scooter to a location, and remotely piloting the scooter via the communications network from where it is parked to the location responsive to the request to transport the scooter to the location.

Abstract: Steering is used to augment the CMG-based balance control of a two-wheeled vehicle, e.g., a bicycle, electric bicycle (“ebike”), scooter, electric scooter, moped, or motorcycle. A control architecture enables a two wheeled vehicle with simultaneously or alternating mechatronic attitude control systems to balance autonomously at rest or while dynamically driven with mechatronic command.

Abstract: An augmented traction system for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a CMG (control moment gyroscope) system including a plurality of CMGs to provide a first torque vector to decrease a roll angle of a turn of the vehicle and to increase force on one or more of the tires of the vehicle on a road surface, a steering system for the vehicle, the steering system to determine a steering control for the turn of the vehicle at a particular vehicle speed and roll angle, based on sensor data, and an aerodynamic control system to actuate one or more aerodynamic elements of the vehicle, the one or more aerodynamic elements to provide a second torque vector to decrease the roll angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire steering system on a vehicle requiring counter-steering includes a driver input mechanism, for example, a steering wheel, joystick, voice command receiver, or keyboard, and a control system. A sensor receives driver input and sends that information to the control system. An engagement mechanism, for example, a clutch, separates the driver input mechanism from controlling the vehicle. The control system further includes at least one actuator, a wheel, and a mechanical linkage controllable via the engagement mechanism in order for the control system to articulate a steering mechanism, for example, the front wheel of the vehicle, as appropriate.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire steering system on a vehicle requiring counter-steering includes a driver input mechanism, for example, a steering wheel, joystick, voice command receiver, or keyboard, and a control system. A sensor receives driver input and sends that information to the control system. An engagement mechanism, for example, a clutch, separates the driver input mechanism from controlling the vehicle. The control system further includes at least one actuator, a wheel, and a mechanical linkage controllable via the engagement mechanism in order for the control system to articulate a steering mechanism, for example, the front wheel of the vehicle, as appropriate.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire steering system on a vehicle requiring counter-steering includes a driver input mechanism, for example, a steering wheel, joystick, voice command receiver, or keyboard, and a control system. A sensor receives driver input and sends that information to the control system. An engagement mechanism, for example, a clutch, separates the driver input mechanism from controlling the vehicle. The control system further includes at least one actuator, a wheel, and a mechanical linkage controllable via the engagement mechanism in order for the control system to articulate a steering mechanism, for example, the front wheel of the vehicle, as appropriate.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a vehicle stabilization control unit may determine a control moment value for one or more gyroscopes coupled to a vehicle frame to exert for stabilization of the vehicle frame. A number of input axes for the flywheels of the one or more gyroscopes to precess may be increased in order to generate the determined control moment value. In some embodiments, the one or more gyroscopes are further coupled to a turntable, and increasing the number of input axes for the flywheels comprises rotating the turntable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the one or more gyroscopes comprise at least two gyroscopes coupled inline to the vehicle frame (e.g., aligned lengthwise with respect to the front and rear wheel to spin and precess in opposite directions with respect to each other).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe a quadrilateral frame to be utilized by a two-wheeled vehicle. The quadrilateral frame may include front and rear vertical assemblies, top and bottom collapsible horizontal assemblies, the horizontal assemblies to collapse vertically. By collapsing the horizontal assemblies of the quadrilateral frame, it is to be understood that the space occupied by the vehicle when it is not in use is significantly reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe vehicles including a wheel (e.g., a front wheel or wheels), a wheel hub, a motor included in the wheel hub to transmit power to the wheel, one or more rolling bearings to support the wheel hub and having one or more rolling elements to enable rolling of the wheel, and a steering axle placed within the wheel hub for steering the wheel. Embodiments also describe a wheel (e.g., a rear wheel or wheels), a wheel hub, a motor included in the wheel hub to transmit power to the wheel, and a swing arm assembly having a first and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to a steering axle, the second end coupled to the motor. As described below, embodiments of the invention decrease volume necessary for a vehicle's drivetrain, while not adversely affecting the potential for vehicle interior volume and vehicle maneuverability.

Abstract: A drive-by-wire steering system on a vehicle requiring counter-steering includes a driver input mechanism, for example, a steering wheel, joystick, voice command receiver, or keyboard, and a control system. A sensor receives driver input and sends that information to the control system. An engagement mechanism, for example, a clutch, separates the driver input mechanism from controlling the vehicle. The control system further includes at least one actuator, a wheel, and a mechanical linkage controllable via the engagement mechanism in order for the control system to articulate a steering mechanism, for example, the front wheel of the vehicle, as appropriate.

Abstract: A hyper-flux flywheel motor system includes a rotor assembly and a number of permanent magnets coupled to the rotor assembly. A stator assembly is rotatably coupled to the rotor assembly and has a core, a number of teeth extending radially from the core, and one or more winding sets, each winding set comprising coils wound on the teeth to interact with the of permanent magnets. A flywheel housing including a frame, and one or more gimbals, houses a flywheel. This flywheel is disposed adjacent to the stator and rotator assembly, rotates about a spin axis, and precesses via the one or more gimbals, in response to rotation of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments describe modules/logic/circuitry to receive image data identifying terrain, environment, and/or one or more objects near a vehicle, determine a projection of the one or more objects with respect to the vehicle, determine whether the one or more objects will collide with the vehicle, and in response to determining the one or more objects will collide, altering the vehicle state. In some embodiments, altering the vehicle state is based, at least in part, on a driver position with respect to the one or more objects determined to collide with the vehicle (e.g., moving the vehicle to protect the drive). In some embodiments, altering the vehicle state comprises at least one of adjusting brakes of the vehicle to alter its trajectory, adjusting a steering wheel of the vehicle to alter its trajectory and adjusting an orientation or rotational speed of a flywheel (for CMG assisted vehicles).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe methods, apparatuses, and systems for enhanced vehicle stabilization solutions. Embodiments of the invention may receive sensor information from at least one sensor coupled to a vehicle having two or more wheels, the at least one sensor coupled to at least one of a wheel, a suspension component, or a frame of the vehicle. A tilt angle of the vehicle is determined from the received sensor information, the tilt angle comprising an offset angle from a reference plane for the vehicle. A controller transmits a command to one or more control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) coupled to the frame of the vehicle to produce a total angular moment based, at least in part, on the tilt angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may transfer energy from a flywheel motor-generator to a capacitor bank in response to detecting an input to increase the speed of a vehicle, and transfer energy from a drive wheel motor-generator to a capacitor bank in response to detecting an input to decrease the speed of the vehicle. The flywheel motor-generator may function to transfer energy to and from a flywheel included in a gyroscope-stabilizer of the vehicle, while the capacitor bank, which includes a battery, may function to transfer energy to and from a drive wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe methods, apparatuses and systems related to vehicle frame and component design for efficient and compact packaging. Removable components of a scooter are formed to be able to all be placed within a void of the scooter frame so as to not affect the volume of the scooter when disassembled and packed. Thus, when disassembled, the volume of the packaged scooter is defined by the dimensions of its frame only.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe receiving, via a plurality of sensors, data indicating vehicle information. Said information may indicate at least orientation of a frame of a vehicle, orientation of a front wheel of the vehicle with respect to the frame, orientation and rotational speed of a first and second flywheel, and speed of the vehicle. In one embodiment, each flywheel is included in a first and second gyroscope coupled to the vehicle frame. Based, at least in part, on the data received from the plurality of sensors, at least one of the orientation and rotational speed of at least one of the flywheels may be adjusted. Said adjustment may further be based on an input to change at least one of speed and direction of the vehicle.