Abstract: An assessment method for a vehicle part includes an identifying feature of the vehicle part with a visual detector. The assessment method includes identifying the vehicle part with a processing unit based on the identifying feature. The assessment method includes detecting a visual quality of the vehicle part with the visual detector. The assessment method includes calculating a present value of the vehicle part with the processing unit. The step of calculating the present value is based at least in part on the visual quality. The assessment method includes determining a recommended use of the vehicle part with the processing unit. The step of determining the recommended use is based on the present value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing variable energy regeneration cruise control, which involves dynamically increasing a limit of allowed energy regeneration in order to meet the deceleration need of the vehicle. The system and techniques leverage variable energy regeneration to allow for the additional energy resulting from deceleration to be stored (e.g., in a vehicle battery) for further use rather than being lost. Consequently, by ultimately providing additional stored energy, the disclosed variable energy regeneration cruise control system can realize advantages over conventional cruise control systems. A system can be programmed to dynamically adjust an amount of regenerative energy for decelerating a vehicle while a cruise control is activated. A regenerative braking system can decelerate the vehicle and store an amount of captured energy based on the amount of adjusted regenerative energy.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer readable medium for managing recharging of a shared electric vehicle are provided. The method includes determining whether an energy storage device of the electric vehicle requires charging, identifying a charging method based on a plurality of parameters including an ambient temperature, a current state of charge, a current load, and a power estimate for a planned route, altering the planned route of the electric vehicle to enable charging based on the identified method, and charging a second energy storage device associated with a second electric vehicle during transit via the electric vehicle. The charging method includes swapping electric vehicles, exchanging the energy storage device, and charging via a charging bot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving propulsion of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a vehicle configuration associated with an arrangement of a set of hub motors that are selectively attachable on driven wheels of the vehicle, loading a control setting according to the arrangement to one of a series configuration and a parallel configuration to indicate a power source for the driven wheels as one or more of a motor of the set of hub motors and a central propulsion system. The set of hub motors is structured to be selectively attached to the driven wheels without removing the driven wheels from the vehicle. The method includes managing power delivery to the set of hub motors and the central propulsion system of the vehicle to propel the vehicle according to the control setting.

Abstract: An autonomous workhorse vehicle includes a main body including a platform to support a plurality of objects, a tracking sensor to detect a location of the main body relative to a leading vehicle, and an input/output port to receive an identifier of the leading vehicle. The autonomous workhorse vehicle further includes a power source to provide power to propel the main body, a steering actuator designed to adjust an orientation of the main body, and an ECU. The ECU is designed to receive the identifier of the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to determine a following time to begin following the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to control the power source and the steering actuator to move the main body to follow the leading vehicle at the following time based on the detected location of the main body relative to the leading vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other implementations described herein relate to a hub motor for a wheel of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hub motor includes a cylindrical rotor and a cylindrical stator coaxially spaced from the cylindrical rotor along an axle. The cylindrical rotor includes a rotor attachment to selectively couple the cylindrical rotor to the axle. The cylindrical stator is disposed between the cylindrical rotor and the wheel and includes stator attachments to selectively couple the cylindrical stator to an outer wheel surface of the wheel. The cylindrical rotor and the cylindrical stator are selectively attachable to the axle and the outer wheel surface, respectively, without removing the wheel from the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving propulsion of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a change in a wheel configuration associated with modifying an arrangement of hub motors that are selectively attachable on wheels of the vehicle, identifying attributes of the hub motors coupled with the wheels of the vehicle. The hub motors are structured to be attached to the wheels of the vehicle without removing the wheels from the vehicle. The method includes determining properties of the hub motors according to the attributes and the wheel configuration. Further, the method includes managing electrical power delivery to the hub motors to propel the vehicle according to the properties.

Abstract: A motive wheel and selectively attachable/detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle comprises an axle comprising an axle axis, outer end, and cylindrical axle hub; a wheel comprising an outer wheel surface, inner wheel surface, wheel hub configured for reversible rotatable disposition on the axle, and wheel rim configured to receive a tire; and a hub motor disposed proximate the outer wheel surface and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel and axle and comprising a cylindrical rotor and cylindrical stator, the cylindrical rotor configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the axle, the cylindrical stator extending away from the cylindrical rotor and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel hub, the hub motor configured for reversible rotation of the wheel and cylindrical stator, wherein upon attachment of the hub motor a motive wheel is provided, and wherein upon detachment of the hub motor a non-motive wheel is provided.

Abstract: A removable vehicle battery system includes an energy storage module, a charging/discharging control unit, converter configured to convert the energy into a usable format for an external device, and a power outlet configured to supply energy to the external device. The system communicates with the external device regarding the energy formats the external device requires as well as the quantity of energy in the energy storage module, and the formats in which the energy storage module can supply this energy to the external device. The control unit controls energy delivery from the energy storage module to the external device.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods generally including detecting, using a sensor, an impact at a vehicle; before, during, or after detecting the impact, storing a first data set associated with the vehicle in a first memory; in response to detecting the impact, retrieving the first data set from the first memory; transmitting, using a first short range communication device, the first data set via a first wireless signal; receiving, using a second short range communication device, the first data set via the first wireless signal; and storing the first data set in a second memory; and after storing the first data set in the second memory, retrieving the first data set from the second memory; wherein the first short range communication device is part of the vehicle; and wherein the second short range communication device is part of an infrastructure.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the present disclosure allow vehicle participants to issue vehicle statistical challenges to other vehicle participants using V2V communications. Accepted challenges are initiated and vehicle statistics relevant to the challenge are then recorded by the system in both vehicles. Once the challenge is complete, the system calculates and/or compares the results of the challenge, then communicates the results to the challenge participants. The system may also provide options for drivers to communicate via V2V messages, directions, routes, places of interest, or emergency locations in lieu of stopping and inquiring other vehicle participants in person.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other implementations described herein relate to a hub motor for a wheel of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hub motor includes a cylindrical rotor and a cylindrical stator coaxially spaced from the cylindrical rotor along an axle. The cylindrical rotor includes a rotor attachment to selectively couple the cylindrical rotor to the axle. The cylindrical stator is disposed between the cylindrical rotor and the wheel and includes stator attachments to selectively couple the cylindrical stator to an outer wheel surface of the wheel. The cylindrical rotor and the cylindrical stator are selectively attachable to the axle and the outer wheel surface, respectively, without removing the wheel from the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving propulsion of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a vehicle configuration associated with an arrangement of a set of hub motors that are selectively attachable on driven wheels of the vehicle, loading a control setting according to the arrangement to one of a series configuration and a parallel configuration to indicate a power source for the driven wheels as one or more of a motor of the set of hub motors and a central propulsion system. The set of hub motors is structured to be selectively attached to the driven wheels without removing the driven wheels from the vehicle. The method includes managing power delivery to the set of hub motors and the central propulsion system of the vehicle to propel the vehicle according to the control setting.

Abstract: A motive wheel and selectively attachable/detachable hub motor for an electric vehicle comprises an axle comprising an axle axis, outer end, and cylindrical axle hub; a wheel comprising an outer wheel surface, inner wheel surface, wheel hub configured for reversible rotatable disposition on the axle, and wheel rim configured to receive a tire; and a hub motor disposed proximate the outer wheel surface and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel and axle and comprising a cylindrical rotor and cylindrical stator, the cylindrical rotor configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the axle, the cylindrical stator extending away from the cylindrical rotor and configured for selective attachment to/detachment from the wheel hub, the hub motor configured for reversible rotation of the wheel and cylindrical stator, wherein upon attachment of the hub motor a motive wheel is provided, and wherein upon detachment of the hub motor a non-motive wheel is provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving propulsion of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to detecting a change in a wheel configuration associated with modifying an arrangement of hub motors that are selectively attachable on wheels of the vehicle, identifying attributes of the hub motors coupled with the wheels of the vehicle. The hub motors are structured to be attached to the wheels of the vehicle without removing the wheels from the vehicle. The method includes determining properties of the hub motors according to the attributes and the wheel configuration. Further, the method includes managing electrical power delivery to the hub motors to propel the vehicle according to the properties.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer readable medium for managing recharging of a shared electric vehicle are provided. The method includes determining whether an energy storage device of the electric vehicle requires charging, identifying a charging method based on a plurality of parameters including an ambient temperature, a current state of charge, a current load, and a power estimate for a planned route, altering the planned route of the electric vehicle to enable charging based on the identified method, and charging a second energy storage device associated with a second electric vehicle during transit via the electric vehicle. The charging method includes swapping electric vehicles, exchanging the energy storage device, and charging via a charging bot.

Abstract: Disclosed is a removable vehicle battery system comprising an energy storage device configured to power a vehicle, and including a removable energy storage module that contains a store of energy. The system further includes a control unit configured to control charging and discharging of the removable energy storage module, along with a removable converter configured to convert the store of energy into a usable format for an external device, and a power outlet configured to supply energy from the store of energy to the external device in the usable format, usable by the external device when the removable energy storage module is removed from the vehicle. The system provides a communication link between the external device and any of the removable energy storage module, the removable converter, or the control unit. The communication link receives information from the external device regarding the energy format or formats it requires and communicates this to the control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a propulsion module for a vehicle, and a control module communicatively connected to the propulsion module. The propulsion module is structured to be detached from the vehicle for mechanical connection to an off-board device. The propulsion module includes an electric motor and a power supply, and the power supply is operable to power the electric motor to output mechanical power. The control module is configured to receive a connection status of the propulsion module. In response to the connection status indicating that the propulsion module is detached from the vehicle, the control module is configured to operate the power supply at an off-board rated power to power the electric motor.

Abstract: A system for adjusting acceleration of a vehicle based on user preference includes a memory designed to store first and second base vehicle acceleration modes each corresponding to a different pre-selected acceleration profile of the vehicle, and a power source for generating power. The system also includes an input device designed to receive a selected base acceleration mode and a user acceleration adjustment indicating a desired adjustment to the selected base acceleration mode. The system also includes an ECU designed to control the power source to accelerate the vehicle using the selected base acceleration mode during an initial trip of the vehicle, create a first user acceleration profile that corresponds to the desired adjustment to the selected base acceleration mode when the user acceleration adjustment is received, and control the power source to accelerate the vehicle using the first user acceleration profile during a second trip of the vehicle.

Abstract: An autonomous workhorse vehicle includes a main body including a platform to support a plurality of objects, a tracking sensor to detect a location of the main body relative to a leading vehicle, and an input/output port to receive an identifier of the leading vehicle. The autonomous workhorse vehicle further includes a power source to provide power to propel the main body, a steering actuator designed to adjust an orientation of the main body, and an ECU. The ECU is designed to receive the identifier of the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to determine a following time to begin following the leading vehicle. The ECU is further designed to control the power source and the steering actuator to move the main body to follow the leading vehicle at the following time based on the detected location of the main body relative to the leading vehicle.