Abstract: A method and system for facilitating a user drive an automobile remotely in real-time through a virtual reality system is disclosed. The virtual reality environment may present real-time road conditions, weather condition, automobile information, and/or any other information regarding driving of the automobile in real time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe for a motor vehicle, comprising an upper shell, a lower shell made from a fiber-reinforced plastic and a rib structure for stiffening the upper shell, wherein the upper shell is composed of a metallic material and the rib structure is composed of a plastic reinforced with short fibers and is formed integrally from the lower shell. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing a subframe, wherein the lower shell together with the rib structure connected integrally therewith is formed from a stack of plies of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and joined to an upper shell made from a metallic material.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating a user drive an automobile remotely in real-time through a virtual reality system is disclosed. The virtual reality environment may present real-time road conditions, weather condition, automobile information, and/or any other information regarding driving of the automobile in real time.

Abstract: A movable body according to the present invention detects an operation state including attitude information of the movable body by using an operation state detector, generates a drive velocity command based on the detected attitude information and an attitude information command to be input, generates a torque command of the drive device based on the generated drive velocity command and a drive velocity detected by a drive velocity detector, and drives the drive device in accordance with the torque command generated by a velocity controller, to thereby move. In the movable body, the velocity controller performs velocity control so that the drive velocity detected by the drive velocity detector follows the drive velocity command generated by an attitude controller, and the attitude controller performs attitude control so that the attitude information detected by the operation state detector follows the attitude information command to be input.

Abstract: A straddle-type tracked vehicle comprises a frame and a foot board pivotally connected to the frame. A retainer selectively prevents the foot board from pivoting with respect to the frame. An actuator, operatively connected to at least one operative system of the vehicle, has a pedal disposed at least in part vertically above the foot board. In a first state of the retainer, the foot board is fixed in a default position by the retainer. The pedal is movable between a first position and a second position. The second position is vertically below the first position and vertically above the default position of the foot board. In a second state of the retainer, the foot board pivots such that at least a front of the foot board is at a position vertically below the default position. The pedal is movable to a third position vertically below the second position.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle includes a pair of opposed wheels and a seat which is mounted so that it can rotate about a vertical axis. The rotational position of the seat is sensed by at least one sensor, such as a potentiometer or rotary encoder, which produces an output signal. This signal is input into a control system which rotates the wheels to steer the vehicle based on the rotational position of the seat.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a frame, a tunnel, an endless drive track, at least one ski, an engine, a handlebar being pivotable about a steering axis, a first throttle lever pivotably connected to the handlebar and operatively connected to the engine, the first throttle lever being disposed on a first side of the steering axis, and a second throttle lever pivotably connected to the handlebar and operatively connected to the engine, the second throttle lever being disposed on a second side of the steering axis. A throttle lever assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal single switch driving system for power wheelchairs, which can be attached to any wheelchair joystick and remotely controlled, by any single switch available for persons with disabilities.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a contact-position-dependent type operational intention determining unit that detects a change in posture of a rider using posture sensors for a backrest disposed in areas of a backrest with which left and right shoulder blades of the rider come into contact, and thereby determines whether there is an operational intention of the rider; and a left-right amount-of-change comparison type turn intention determining unit that determines, only when it is determined that there is an operational intention, whether there is a left or right turn intention of the rider from a difference between sensor output values located left-right symmetrically.

Abstract: An electrically operable wheelchair having a seat, a base with a pair of motors respectively coupled with the main support wheels, a position detection assembly, and a controller coupled with the position detection assembly and the motors for controlling wheelchair operation in order to effect desired wheelchair movements. The hands-free input device of the invention, which includes the position detection assembly and a position detection device, provides input signals representative of desired wheelchair movements to the controller. The position detection device detects the position of the seat. Movement of the seat, rather than a joystick, creates the voltage signals which are then transmitted to the wheelchair controller.

Abstract: An electrically operable wheelchair having a seat, a base with a pair of motors respectively coupled with the main support wheels, a position detection assembly, and a controller coupled with the position detection assembly and the motors for controlling wheelchair operation in order to effect desired wheelchair movements. The hands-free input device of the invention, which includes the position detection assembly and a position detection device, provides input signals representative of desired wheelchair movements to the controller. The position detection device detects the position of the seat. Movement of the seat, rather than a joystick, creates the voltage signals which are then transmitted to the wheelchair controller.

Abstract: The present invention is a wheelchair control sensor for controlling a powered wheelchair for spinal cord-injured persons, who are incapable of using their hands, using movement of shoulders. The wheelchair control sensor includes two shoulder straps, two casings, two Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) sensors, pressing balls, and a waist belt. The casings each have an internal space defined by an inclined surface. The FSR sensors are attached to the inclined surfaces of the casings or surfaces opposite to the inclined surfaces. The pressing balls are connected to the shoulder straps to press the FRS sensors while being moved through the internal spaces of the casings by external force. The waist belt is worn on an upper garment with the two casings spaced apart from each other at a certain interval.

Abstract: A force-feedback input device includes an operating unit manipulated by an operator, a detecting unit for detecting the operational state of the operating unit, a force-feedback unit for providing a force feedback to the operating unit, and a controlling unit for controlling the operation of the force-feedback unit to provide a predetermined force feedback according to the operational state of the operating unit to the operating unit. The controlling unit includes an operational-state-calculating subunit, a returning-force-calculating subunit, a damping-force-calculating subunit, and a resultant-force-calculating subunit. The damping-force-calculating subunit calculates the damping coefficient by multiplying a returning force calculated in the returning-force-calculating subunit by the required proportionality coefficient and then calculates a damping force by multiplying the obtained damping coefficient by an operation speed of the operating unit.

Abstract: A device controller is provided which allows a vehicle occupant to confirm a device to be operated without looking an operation section. When a controller of a microswitch indicates a device such as a window regulator or a sun roof, a control circuit feeds a motion confirmation signal to a corresponding device such as a right-hand front door ECU and a roof ECU. A door glass, a sliding roof or the like then reciprocate slightly (i.e., in an amount that is enough for the vehicle occupant to visually confirm the reciprocation) via a window regulator driving circuit, a sun roof driving circuit or the like. The vehicle occupant can thereby confirm a device to be operated by the operation section without looking an operation section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wheelchair control sensor for controlling a powered wheelchair for spinal cord-injured persons, who are incapable of using their hands, using movement of shoulders. The wheelchair control sensor includes two shoulder straps, two casings, two Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) sensors, pressing balls, and a waist belt. The casings each have an internal space defined by an inclined surface. The FSR sensors are attached to the inclined surfaces of the casings or surfaces opposite to the inclined surfaces. The pressing balls are connected to the shoulder straps to press the FRS sensors while being moved through the internal spaces of the casings by external force. The waist belt is worn on an upper garment with the two casings spaced apart from each other at a certain interval.

Abstract: An improved footrest system and an improved electrical switching device are disclosed for a personal mobility vehicle having a rotatable chair. The improved footrest system comprises a first and a second footrest plate pivotably mounted to a first and a second end of the personal mobility vehicle. A first and a second spring resiliently biases the first and a second footrest plate into an inoperative position. Each of the first and second footrest plates is pivotable into an operative position by the feet of an operator for providing a footrest for the operator for a first and a second rotational station of the chair. The improved electrical switching device comprises a first switch for providing a front wheel drive operation and a second switch for providing a rear wheel drive operation. In one embodiment the first and second switches are actuated by the rotation of a chair into the operative position.

Abstract: A head control comprises a control plate (13) operable by a user with his head and biasing means (9, 11) for biasing the control plate to a predetermined orientation. A joystick control (19) is operably connected to the control plate (13) such that movement of the control plate by the user is communicated to the joystick control (19).

Abstract: An excavator operator cab (10) has an operator seat (12) and a control console (15) mounted beside the seat. A forward control stick (20) and a rear control stick (22) are positioned in the console (15) such that the rear control stick supports the arm of the operator while he grips the forward control stick. The forward and rear control sticks (20,22) are manipulated independently or in concert with one another.

Abstract: An excavator operator cab (10) has an operator seat (12) and a control console (15) mounted beside the seat. A forward control stick (20) and a rear control stick (22) are positioned in the console (15) such that the rear control stick supports the arm of the operator while he grips the forward control stick. The forward and rear control sticks (20,22) are manipulated independently or in concert with one another.

Abstract: An Auto Control Pillow for cars, trucks, vans and tractors, has a hook and loop fastener material atop the pillow, with tube-like element placed beneath a soft foam filler and U shape plastic piece inserted within the plastic tubing for mounting onto a thigh to control the auto. The auto control has a conventional steering wheel cover for effective and safe use.

Abstract: An aid to steering of a vehicle having directional control defined by rotation of a steering wheel consists of a wedge shaped member strapped to an operator's thigh, having a pliable, frictional surface material for mating with the outside rim of the steering wheel. An alternative embodiment provides for a sleep alarm to sound when biasing between the invention and the steering wheel slackens.

Abstract: In a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle which comprises a subframe arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and having a pair of laterally spaced front end portions to be fastened to the vehicle chassis and a pair of laterally spaced rear end portions to be fastened to the vehicle chassis, and a pair of suspension arms each base portion of which has a front end articulated to the respective front end portions of the subframe and a rear end to be articulated to the respective rear end portions of the subframe, a pair of brackets each are preliminarily fastened at their base portions to the rear end portions of the subframe to support each rear end base portion of the suspension arms articulated thereto and fastened at their base portions to the vehicle chassis through the rear end portions of the subframe and at their end portions to the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A closed enclosure for a vehicle engine has an air inlet and an air outlet formed at its front and rear ends. Both air inlet and air outlet have sets of sound absorber blades for noiselessly admitting ambient cooling air into the enclosure and for noiselessly exhausting the air therefrom. Disposed horizontally within the enclosure, a first heat insulating partition divides its interior into an engine compartment accommodating the engine and, thereover, a muffler and air cleaner compartment. A second heat insulating partition is mounted vertically on the first partition to subdivide the muffler and air cleaner compartment into a muffler compartment receiving an exhaust muffler assembly and an air cleaner compartment receiving an air cleaner assembly. The engine compartment is open both forwardly and rearwardly for the passage of the cooling air therethrough.

Abstract: A control system for the legless operation of a motor vehicle includes a rod secured to the accelerator and extending toward the driver's seat with a linkage secured to the brake and extending generally along side the rod in such a manner that both the accelerator and brake can be controlled by the same limb of the operator.