Abstract: One of the embodiments of the invention includes an interface for communicating a vehicle command from a user to a vehicle. The interface preferably includes an engagement system to engage the torso and an appendage of a user, a sensor system to sense forces imparted by the user, and a processor to interpret a vehicle “safety alert mode” command based on a shift of the user and to communicate the vehicle “safety alert mode” command to a vehicle. The vehicle, armed with this vehicle “safety alert mode” command, may initiate a defensive action, such as tightening the suspension, lowering the vehicle, inflating an external and/or internal airbag, or any other suitable action.

Abstract: The modular system of the preferred embodiment includes a primary subsystem, a secondary subsystem, and a motor. The primary subsystem includes a volume modulator with a first modulator piston. The accessory subsystem includes a modulator with a second modulator piston. The motor functions to cause the first modulator piston to cycle through a compression stroke and an expansion stroke within a modulator cavity of the suspension subsystem and to cause the second modulator piston to cycle through a compression stroke and an expansion stroke within the modulator cavity of the accessory subsystem. The primary subsystem is preferably a suspension subsystem, while the secondary subsystem is preferably selected from the group consisting of cooling subsystems, driveline subsystems, steering subsystems, braking subsystems, and material handling subsystems.

Abstract: Suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed and claimed. The suspension system includes a compressible fluid, a suspension strut, a hydraulic cavity, a reservoir, and a volume modulator. The hydraulic cavity is at least partially defined by the suspension strut and is adapted to contain a portion of the compressible fluid. The hydraulic cavity and the compressible fluid supply a suspending spring force that biases a wheel of a vehicle toward the road surface. The volume modulator selectively pushes the compressible fluid into the hydraulic cavity and vents the compressible fluid from the hydraulic cavity, thereby actively modulating the suspending spring force.