Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Alfred Manser

James W Wells

Michael R Kaphengst

Seog-Chan Oh

Barry L Farmer

Joshua L Solomon

A partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, including a chassis, wheels that are rotationally coupled to the chassis, a drive system mounted on the chassis and in operational communication with the wheels, a navigation system, a central platform controller, and a position determining system. Added thereto is a safety sensor guidance system and a controller circuit programmed to begin a temporary takeover of the central platform controller, responsive to an external fleet control. The temporary takeover including the steps of identifying a plurality of assembly stations that the partially assembled vehicle must visit to complete its own assembly; constructing a sequence in which to visit each of the plurality of assembly stations; and commanding the drive system to propel and steer the partially assembled vehicle through the sequence of the plurality of assembly stations, responsive to sensor input from the safety sensor guidance system.

Partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, and methods for producing same

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for providing electrical power for a manufacturing facility for manufacturing of a vehicle, the vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a processor, including: positioning the vehicle at the manufacturing facility, the manufacturing facility having an electrical component; and providing electrical power from the RESS of the vehicle to the electrical component of the manufacturing facility, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor.

Use of vehicle battery to provide power to manufacturing operations

A system includes a platform to support a vehicle on a first side of the platform and a passive motion device arranged on a second side of the platform, opposite the first side, to move upon actuation. A mechanical actuator actuates the passive motion device based on movement of one or more wheels of the vehicle to change a position of the vehicle. The position of the vehicle relative to the platform is unchanged and the passive motion device is actuated by only the movement of the one or more wheels of the vehicle to change the position of the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

White Lake, MI, United States of America

Alfred Manser