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.

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 distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Locations of collection, charging and distribution machines having available charged portable electrical energy storage devices are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user or a navigation system of a user's vehicle. The locations are indicated on a graphical user interface on a map relative to the user's current location. The user may select particular locations on the map to reserve an available portable electrical energy storage device at a particular collection, charging and distribution machine location. The collection, charging and distribution machine locations displayed may also be based on a physical distance or driving time from the current location of the user mobile device or vehicle.

Abstract: Electrical energy storage device for powering portable devices such as vehicles or consumer electronics includes barriers to minimize migration of thermal energy and propagation of combustion in the rare event that electrical energy storage cells fail, burst and ignite. A burst structure is provided to vent gas from the device in a desired direction in the event pressure within the device exceeds a maximum value. Biased vents permit gases emanating from a portable electrical energy storage cell within an electrical energy storage module to escape and isolate other electrical energy storage cells from the gases.

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 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: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collects, charges and distributes portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Vehicle diagnostic data of a vehicle using the portable electrical energy storage device is stored on a diagnostic data storage system of the portable electrical energy storage device during use of a respective portable electrical energy storage device by a respective vehicle. Once the user places the portable electrical energy storage device in the collection, charging and distribution machine, or comes within wireless communications range of a collection, charging and distribution machine, a connection is established between the collection, charging and distribution machine and the portable electrical energy storage device.

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. Users may also use portable charging devices that authenticate portable electrical energy storage devices or are authenticated by portable electrical energy storage devices before the charging is allowed or enabled. This authentication may be via wired or wireless communication channels between the portable charging device and portable electrical energy storage device, such as via near field communication (NFC) channels.

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 avoid theft and tampering of the portable electrical energy storage devices, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is locked in and operably connected to the vehicle to which it provides power unless the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as that in a service center. Once within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device a locking mechanism in the vehicle or within the portable electrical energy storage device unlocks and allows the portable electrical energy storage device to be exchanged or serviced.

Abstract: Electric vehicles such as scooters are reliant upon one or more electrical energy storage devices to not only provide motive power but also power some or all vehicular systems. An electrical energy storage device can be equipped with a number of thermal sensors that provide data indicative of overall and/or localized electrical energy storage device temperature(s) to a controller. In order to maintain the electrical energy storage device in a desired thermal operating range or profile, the controller can selectively alter or control the power distributed or allocated to one or more vehicular systems. Such alteration or control of power allocation may be performed by the controller based upon an assessed degree of vehicular system criticality.

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. The charging and distribution machines may distribute portable electrical energy storage devices of particular performance characteristics and other attributes based on customer preferences and/or customer profiles. The charging and distribution machines may provide instructions to or otherwise program portable electrical energy storage devices stored within the charging and distribution machines to perform at various levels according to user preferences and user profiles.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Locations of collection, charging and distribution machines having available charged portable electrical energy storage devices are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user, or displayed on a collection, charging and distribution machine. The locations are indicated on a graphical user interface on a map on a user's mobile device relative to the user's current location. The user may use their mobile device select particular locations on the map to reserve an available portable electrical energy storage device. The system nay also warn the user that the user is near an edge of the pre-determined area having portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging and distribution machines. Reservations may also be made automatically based on information regarding a potential route of a user.

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 by battery charge level or battery state sensors.

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 avoid theft and tampering of the portable electrical energy storage devices, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is locked in and operably connected to the vehicle to which it provides power unless the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as that in a service center. Once within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device a locking mechanism in the vehicle or within the portable electrical energy storage device unlocks and allows the portable electrical energy storage device to be exchanged or serviced.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Availability of charged portable electrical energy storage devices available at a collection, charging and distribution machine are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user or a user's vehicle. Once the mobile device of a user or a user's vehicle comes within close proximity of the collection, charging and distribution machine or within a particular area surrounding the collection, charging and distribution machine, the collection, charging and distribution machine or a collection, charging and distribution machine management system communicates an alert (e.g., over a cellular network, short range wireless signal or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network) to the mobile device or vehicle indicating how many portable electrical energy storage devices are available at the distribution machine.