Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle controller communicating over a first communication system with actuators for changing the state of vehicle systems. A signal module communicates with the vehicle controller via the first communication system. One or more signal sources communicate with the signal module via a second communication system, and transmit signals to the signal module. Based on one or more signals and one or more user inputs, the signal module generates and transmits control signals to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller actuates the actuator based on the control signal.

Abstract: Lift trucks are designed with a common chassis and can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources. According to one example, a chassis for a configurable sit-down counterbalanced forklift truck comprises a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side. A chassis compartment is situated between the front side and the rear side and between the left side and right side of the chassis. The chassis compartment is configured to fit within the chassis compartment one of a plurality of different types of power plants for the forklift truck and one of a plurality of different types of power sources. The chassis compartment is configured to hold one of a plurality of different designs of counterweights on or in a rear portion of the chassis compartment. The chassis is configured to support one of a plurality of different operator compartment modules attached atop the chassis.

Abstract: Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.

Abstract: Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.

Abstract: Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle controller communicating over a first communication system with actuators for changing the state of vehicle systems. A signal module communicates with the vehicle controller via the first communication system. One or more signal sources communicate with the signal module via a second communication system, and transmit signals to the signal module. Based on one or more signals and one or more user inputs, the signal module generates and transmits control signals to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller actuates the actuator based on the control signal.

Abstract: Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.