Apparatus and method for the autonomous transportation of goods and/or people

Abstract

System for autonomously transporting people and/or goods. The system includes at least one wheel, a chassis that supports a payload for transporting at least one of people or goods, and at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one wheel. The at least one electric motor is one of chassis mounted or at least one wheel mounted. The system also includes a battery to power the at least one electric motor.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for autonomously transporting at least one of people or goods, comprising:
 at least one wheel;   a chassis that supports a payload for transporting at least one of people or goods;   at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one wheel, wherein the at least one electric motor is one of chassis mounted or at least one wheel mounted; and   a battery to power the at least one electric motor.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel comprises a rubber surface for travel over a road. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one wheel further comprises a steel band for contacting and traveling along a track. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel comprises a steel band for contacting and traveling along a track. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an array of magnets. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pantograph extending below the chassis or an extended rail connector extending laterally past the at least one wheel,
 wherein the pantograph and the extended rail connector each include a first end coupled to the battery and a second end for contacting an external power supply.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein, for the pantograph, the external power supply is located below the chassis along a path to be traversed by the chassis, and
 wherein, for the external rail connector, the external power supply is located above ground and along an intended traversal path of the chassis.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one brake coupled to the at least one wheel,
 wherein the at least one brake is configured as a part of a regenerative braking system for charging the battery.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a switching electromagnet to follow a plurality of magnetic elements to switch the chassis and the at least one wheel from a first guideway to a second guideway. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes a platform and the system further comprises:
 a payload configured for transporting at least one of people or goods, which is connectable to the platform of the chassis.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel includes at least one of a speed sensor; a tire pressure gauge; a temperature gauge; or a load cell. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes at least one of: at least one camera; at least one proximity sensor; a radar sensor; a range detector; mapping sensors; or a lidar sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes a control panel. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel comprises a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the chassis comprise at least one axle extending through the chassis, and
 wherein the first and second wheels are connected to the at least one axle, which rotatably drives the first and second wheels.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second wheels are drivable independently of each other. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one electric motor is chassis mounted, and the at least one axle comprises a first axle and second axle that are configured so that a first end of the first axle is coupled to the first wheel and a first end of the second axle is coupled to the second wheel, and the system further comprises:
 a gear configuration coupled to the second ends of the first and second axles,   wherein the at least one electric motor is coupled to the gear configuration via a connection rod to impart a rotational force to at least one of the first wheel or the second wheel.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the gear configuration comprises at least one of a limited differential or a planetary gear. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 14 , further comprising a rack and pinion steering system that includes an electric pinion driving motor coupled to the chassis, a pinion connected to the electric pinion driving motor and a rack driven by the pinion. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the rack and pinion steering system further comprises a first steering arm and a second steering arm,
 wherein the first steering arm is coupled between a first wheel pivot at the first wheel and a first end of the rack and the second steering arm is coupled between a second wheel pivot at the second wheel and a second end of the rack.