Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for controlling towing of a vehicle without an electrical connection between a tow vehicle and a towed vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a system includes a controller. The controller includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: receive sensed data indicative of at least one attribute of a tow vehicle without an electrical connection between the tow vehicle and a towed vehicle; and control an attribute of the towed vehicle responsive to the sensed data indicative of a corresponding attribute of the tow vehicle.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controller units, vehicles, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller unit includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to receive a request to perform a mechanical load transition between a motor and a mechanical load, send a torque request to the motor responsive to the received request, receive a motor speed value, determine status of the mechanical load transition responsive to the received request and the motor speed value, and output the determined status.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an electric vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. The electric vehicle includes a normal driving mode where the electric vehicle is steered by turning the steerable wheels (e.g., left or right) and vehicle yaw mode where the vehicle controls the torque applied to each wheel. In response to receiving input to initiate vehicle yaw mode and yaw direction, the system determines the inner wheels and the outer wheels and provides forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle to rotate the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. In response to initiating vehicle yaw mode, the system engages an open-loop mode, that provides open-loop forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and open-loop backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle until a sufficient number of wheels are slipping. In response to determining that a sufficient number of wheels are slipping, engaging a closed-loop mode. While operating in the closed-loop mode, one or both of the wheel rotation and vehicle yaw rate are monitored to adjust the torques provided to the wheels of the vehicle to control the vehicle yaw rate.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative drive unit controllers, drive units, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a drive unit controller includes a processor having computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to receive free-wheel tow mode activation information, activate a hold mode based on the received free-wheel tow mode activation information, generate a zero-speed command in response to the hold mode being activated, and send the generated zero-speed command to a stabilizing system of the associated vehicle.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for controlling towing of a vehicle without an electrical connection between a tow vehicle and a towed vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a system includes a controller. The controller includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: receive sensed data indicative of at least one attribute of a tow vehicle without an electrical connection between the tow vehicle and a towed vehicle; and control an attribute of the towed vehicle responsive to the sensed data indicative of a corresponding attribute of the tow vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for determining a quantity of energy expendable in charging a towed vehicle while it is towed. In an illustrative embodiment, a computing system transportable aboard at least one of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle includes computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions configured to identify a quantity of charging energy to be supplied to at least one power cell of the towed vehicle by at least one rotating electromagnetic device of the towed vehicle generating and supplying electrical power to charge the at least one power cell of the towed vehicle while the towed vehicle is towed by the towing vehicle. The computer-executable instructions are also configured to determine a quantity of towing energy expendable by the towing vehicle in towing the towed vehicle to provide the quantity of charging energy to the at least one power cell of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a sound indicative of a pressure of a tire relative to a target pressure. A target pressure specifier is configured to specify a target pressure for a tire and generate a target pressure signal indicative of the target pressure. A pressure monitor is configured to receive the target pressure signal, a current pressure signal indicative of a current pressure of the tire, and an indicator of a deliberate change in the current pressure and compare the current pressure signal with the target pressure signal responsive to the indicator. A status signal is generated indicative of a status of the current pressure signal relative to the target pressure signal. An audio generator is configured to receive the status signal and to generate a sound audible outside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle that is indicative of the status signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. In response to initiating vehicle yaw mode, the system engages an open-loop mode, that provides open-loop forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and open-loop backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle until a sufficient number of wheels are slipping. In response to determining that a sufficient number of wheels are slipping, engaging a closed-loop mode. While operating in the closed-loop mode, one or both of the wheel rotation and vehicle yaw rate are monitored to adjust the torques provided to the wheels of the vehicle to control the vehicle yaw rate.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controller units, vehicles, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller unit includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to receive a request to perform a mechanical load transition between a motor and a mechanical load, send a torque request to the motor responsive to the received request, receive a motor speed value, determine status of the mechanical load transition responsive to the received request and the motor speed value, and output the determined status.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative systems, vehicles, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a system includes a sensor configured to generate route information, and a control unit. The control unit includes a processor in signal communication with the sensor and a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to receive the generated route information, generate a wheel signal responsive to the received route information indicating a change in wheel engagement status, and output the wheel signal to a disconnect.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for controlling an inverter of a towed vehicle. In an illustrative embodiment, a system includes a controller. The controller includes a processor and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: receive sensed data indicative of detected deceleration of a tow vehicle; and during detected deceleration, control an inverter of a towed vehicle responsive to the detected deceleration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating an electric vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. The electric vehicle includes a normal driving mode where the electric vehicle is steered by turning the steerable wheels (e.g., left or right) and vehicle yaw mode where the vehicle controls the torque applied to each wheel. In response to receiving input to initiate vehicle yaw mode and yaw direction, the system determines the inner wheels and the outer wheels and provides forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle to rotate the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. In response to initiating vehicle yaw mode, the system engages an open-loop mode, that provides open-loop forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and open-loop backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle until a sufficient number of wheels are slipping. In response to determining that a sufficient number of wheels are slipping, engaging a closed-loop mode. While operating in the closed-loop mode, one or both of the wheel rotation and vehicle yaw rate are monitored to adjust the torques provided to the wheels of the vehicle to control the vehicle yaw rate.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative drive unit controllers, drive units, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a drive unit controller includes a processor having computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to receive free-wheel tow mode activation information, activate a hold mode based on the received free-wheel tow mode activation information, generate a zero-speed command in response to the hold mode being activated, and send the generated zero-speed command to a stabilizing system of the associated vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for determining a quantity of energy expendable in charging a towed vehicle while it is towed. In an illustrative embodiment, a computing system transportable aboard at least one of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle includes computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions configured to identify a quantity of charging energy to be supplied to at least one power cell of the towed vehicle by at least one rotating electromagnetic device of the towed vehicle generating and supplying electrical power to charge the at least one power cell of the towed vehicle while the towed vehicle is towed by the towing vehicle. The computer-executable instructions are also configured to determine a quantity of towing energy expendable by the towing vehicle in towing the towed vehicle to provide the quantity of charging energy to the at least one power cell of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a sound indicative of a pressure of a tire relative to a target pressure. A target pressure specifier is configured to specify a target pressure for a tire and generate a target pressure signal indicative of the target pressure. A pressure monitor is configured to receive the target pressure signal, a current pressure signal indicative of a current pressure of the tire, and an indicator of a deliberate change in the current pressure and compare the current pressure signal with the target pressure signal responsive to the indicator. A status signal is generated indicative of a status of the current pressure signal relative to the target pressure signal. An audio generator is configured to receive the status signal and to generate a sound audible outside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle that is indicative of the status signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a vehicle yaw mode. In response to initiating vehicle yaw mode, the system engages an open-loop mode, that provides open-loop forward torque to the outer wheels of the vehicle and open-loop backward torque to the inner wheels of the vehicle until a sufficient number of wheels are slipping. In response to determining that a sufficient number of wheels are slipping, engaging a closed-loop mode. While operating in the closed-loop mode, one or both of the wheel rotation and vehicle yaw rate are monitored to adjust the torques provided to the wheels of the vehicle to control the vehicle yaw rate.