Abstract: An asset includes a short range transmitter that broadcasts a first signal that includes a unique identifier associated with the asset. Each asset is carried by one of number of mobile devices, and each asset is freely exchangeable between any of the number of mobile devices. Each of at least some of the mobile devices carries a receiver to receive the first signals within reception range of the receiver. Each of at least some of the mobile devices aggregates the received unique identifiers. Each of at least some of the mobile devices carries a transmitter that transmits a second signal that includes data representative of a geolocation of the respective mobile device and data indicative of the unique identifiers received by the respective mobile device to a back-end system. The back-end system uses the data included in the received second signals to track and locate assets within a geographic area.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and/or distribution machines collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). In some embodiments, if the user selects to change their current portable electrical power storage device exchange plan to a two-portable electrical power storage device exchange plan while exchanging their current portable electrical power storage device, the user will return their current portable electrical power storage device and will receive two portable electrical power storage devices in exchange at the collection, charging and distribution machine. The user may also be required to pay additional fees and/or commit to additional obligations while at the collection, charging and distribution machine in order to change to the different portable electrical power storage device exchange plan.

Abstract: A sterilization method for a vehicle sterilization system, comprising: receiving a detection signal, and determining whether a seat cushion of a vehicle covers a space of a compartment according to a voltage level of the detection signal; when the seat cushion does not completely cover the space of the compartment, controlling a power supply unit to stop supplying power; when the seat cushion covers the space of the compartment, controlling the power supply unit to supply power to a sterilization device.

Abstract: A network of collection and distribution machines may collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Electric vehicles available for sharing, renting or otherwise available for temporary use may be located at such collection and distribution machines or other designated areas. Users may request temporary use of such electric vehicles via a user interface of the collection and distribution machine, the user's mobile device or that of the electric vehicle itself. During temporary use, the user may exchange depleted portable electrical energy storage devices of the vehicle being used for charged portable electrical energy storage devices at the collection and distribution machines and may be offered the opportunity to terminate the temporary use session or continue the temporary use session in conjunction with the portable electrical energy storage device exchange.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for unlocking a vehicle. The vehicle has a first input device and a second input device. The method includes (1) receiving a passcode from the first input device; (2) receiving a confirmation of the passcode from the second input device; and (3) in response to the confirmation, storing the passcode in a storage device associated with the vehicle. The passcode is input by operating the first input device in a first predetermined way, and, the confirmation is input by operating the second input device in a second predetermined way.

Abstract: Method and associated system for managing and/or authenticating an energy storage device. The method includes receiving a first portion of identification information stored in a data storage attached to the energy storage device (401); analyzing the first portion of the identification information at least partially based on a device identification of the device (403); updating a second portion of the identification information stored in the data storage attached to the energy storage device based on a result of analyzing the first portion of the identification information (405).

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Relevant information regarding vehicles that use the collection and distribution machines is communicated to or acquired by mobile devices of users associated with one or more of the vehicles. The vehicle information may include information regarding diagnostics or status of the vehicle and information regarding usage history of the vehicle received from different sources. This information is then processed and analyzed at the mobile device and such information is presented by the mobile device in a useful manner to the user and/or communicated to another device external to the mobile device, such as the vehicle, for further processing or communication of the data.

Abstract: A network of collection and distribution machines may collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Electric vehicles available for sharing, renting or otherwise available for temporary use may be located at such collection and distribution machines or other designated areas. Users may request temporary use of such electric vehicles via a user interface of the collection and distribution machine, the user's mobile device or that of the electric vehicle itself. During temporary use, the user may exchange depleted portable electrical energy storage devices of the vehicle being used for charged portable electrical energy storage devices at the collection and distribution machines and may be offered the opportunity to terminate the temporary use session or continue the temporary use session in conjunction with the portable electrical energy storage device exchange.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for charging exchangeable energy storage devices positioned in a device-exchange station. The method includes, for example, (1) receiving demand information; (2) determining a charging plan for the device-exchange station at least partially based on a state-of-charge (SoC) of each of the exchangeable energy storage devices positioned in the device-exchange station, the demand information, and an available power of the device-exchange station; (3) generating a charging command for each of the exchangeable energy storage devices based on the charging rule for each of the exchangeable energy storage devices; and (4) transmitting the charging commands to the device-exchange station.

Abstract: A collection, charging and distribution machine collects, charges and distributes portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, super- or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machine employs electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. The machine determines a first number of devices to be rapidly charged, employing charge from a second number of devices identified to sacrifice charge. Thus, some devices may be concurrently charged via current from the electrical service and current from other devices, to achieve rapid charging of some subset of devices. The devices that sacrifice charge may later be charged. Such may ensure availability of devices for end users.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for charging exchangeable energy storage devices positioned in a device-exchange station. The method includes, for example, (1) receiving demand information; (2) determining a charging plan for the device-exchange station at least partially based on a state-of-charge (SoC) of each of the exchangeable energy storage devices positioned in the device-exchange station, the demand information, and a charging threshold for each of the exchangeable energy storage devices positioned in the device-exchange station; (3) generating a charging command for each of the exchangeable energy storage devices based on the charging rule for each of the exchangeable energy storage devices; and (4) transmitting the charging commands to the device-exchange station.

Abstract: Electrically powered vehicles may be equipped with both mechanical braking systems and regenerative braking systems. Regenerative braking systems improve vehicle efficiency by returning a portion of the energy lost in deceleration to the battery of the electrically powered vehicle. An electrically powered vehicle controller that provides collision avoidance functionality can maximize the energy returned to the battery of the electrically powered vehicle by maximizing the use of regenerative braking for collision avoidance. A first braking mode can include only regenerative braking for objects greater than the minimum regenerative stopping distance. A second braking mode can include composite braking using both mechanical and regenerative braking. The electrically powered vehicle controller determines the maximum regenerative braking level at least based on data provided battery charge level or battery state sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to structures and associated systems for connecting a hub apparatus to a wheel. In some embodiments, the hub apparatus includes (1) a housing assembly having an outer radius; and (2) a mounting portion circumferentially provided on at least one side surface of the housing assembly. The mounting portion is formed with a plurality of coupling structures configured to couple the hub apparatus to a wheel rim. The mounting portion defines a first radius smaller than the outer radius.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for managing a plurality of device-exchange stations. The method includes, for example, (1) determining a score for each of the plurality of device-exchange stations based on an availability of energy storage devices positioned in each of the device-exchange stations; (2) determining a sequence of the plurality of device-exchange stations based on the score of each of the device-exchange stations; and (3) determining a price rate for each of the device-exchange stations by mapping the sequence of the device-exchange stations to a characteristic curve corresponding to a distribution of the price rate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for managing a plurality of device-exchange stations. The method includes, for example, (1) receiving empirical information regarding exchanges of energy storage devices from each of the plurality of device-exchange stations in an initial time period; (2) determining a target time period; (3) identifying a plurality of reference factors and associated weighting values based on empirical information regarding exchanges of energy storage devices; (4) determining demand information during the target time period for each of the plurality of device-exchange stations during the target time period for each of the device-exchange stations; and (5) forming a plurality of charging plans for each of the plurality of device-exchange stations according to demand information during the target time period.