Zoox, Inc.

Paul Choin

Timothy David Kentley-Klay

Johannes Edren

Moritz Boecker

Ahditya Melkote

Brandon Loeb

Ryan O'Leary Flatland

Kevin Hothem

Daniel Elliot Schabb

Nicholas Liotta

Forrest Craft

Chao Lu

James Hedden

Phillip Newport Kuys

Andrew James Webb

Maurice Henri Andre Claessens

Anthony Iannone

Ishan Sharma

John J K McCarthy

Brake force distribution during an anti-lock braking (ABS) event in a vehicle using an electronic parking brake (EPB) force to supplement a primary brake pressure is described. In an example, an vehicle control system of the vehicle can detect when an ABS event is going to occur and a primary brake pressure can be applied to a rotor at a wheel of the vehicle using a primary brake system. An EPB brake pressure can be applied to the rotor using an EPB brake system to reduce the pressure required to be applied by the primary brake pressure. As a result, the primary brake system may be sized to accommodate normal braking and to accommodate ABS braking when supplemented by the EPB system.

Apparatus and method for electrically assisted hydraulic brake

A vehicle seat comprises a controllable deformable material and control apparatus is provided for controlling the state of a controllable deformable material. The control apparatus is configured to generate a signal to cause a control element in proximity to the controllable deformable material to change the characteristic of the controllable deformable material and thereby change the state of the controllable deformable material. The controllable deformable material is controllable to change state from a first state to at least a second state and is controllable to change state from at least the second state to the first state, the controllable deformable material being more deformable per unit force in the second state than in the first state.

Deformable vehicle seat

Techniques for monitoring and predicting vehicle health are disclosed. In some examples, sensor data (e.g., audio data) may be used to create a sensor signature associated with a vehicle component. The sensor signature may be compared with one or more second sensor signatures associated with the vehicle component over the life of the vehicle component to determine changes in an operating status associated with the vehicle component. In some examples, a machine learned model may be trained to identify a vehicle component and/or and operating status of a vehicle component based on sensor data that is inputted into the machine learned model. In this way, sensor data may be input into the machine learned model and the machine learned model may output a corresponding vehicle component and/or operating status associated with the component.

Predicting vehicle health

A suspension system for controlling movement of a vehicle wheel may include a spring and damper assembly coupling the wheel to the vehicle chassis for movement of the wheel relative to the vehicle chassis. The spring and damper assembly may include a spring coupled to a damper member configured to extend and retract the wheel relative to the vehicle chassis. The suspension system may further include a damper actuator located remotely from the spring and damper assembly and configured to modify an amount of damping and/or wheel extension. The suspension system may also include a spring actuator integrated with the damper actuator and configured to control an amount of deflection of the spring and/or to alter a spring rate. The damper actuator may be provided at a location in the vehicle separated from the spring and damper assembly.

Vehicle suspension system with remote actuation

An electronic braking system with independent antilock braking and stability control. The system can utilize a variety of electro-mechanical actuators to apply clamping force to a mechanical brake caliper. The system can include a caliper electronic control unit (CECU) and a wheel speed sensor at each wheel of the vehicle to enable independent slip control, or antilock braking, at each wheel. A separate executive management unit (EMU) can receive data from each electronic caliper, vehicle accelerometers, and other sensors to provide electronic stability control (ESC) independent of antilock braking (ABS) functions. The removal of a conventional master cylinder, brake pedal, ABS pump, brake lines, and other components can reduce weight and complexity. The elimination of hydraulic lines running to a central ABS module and master cylinder can enable modular drive units to be swapped out more quickly and efficiently.

Electronic braking systems and methods

Vehicle health monitor

A system for detachably coupling subassemblies of vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable module repair or replacement in conventional locations without any additional infrastructure by driving fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.

Worm gear drive unit interface and assembly methods

A system for detachably coupling subassemblies to vehicles or other components is discussed herein. The system can include one or more driveshafts and worm drives to drive fasteners to couple the subassembly to the vehicle. The system can enable drive interfaces located in a substantially conventional location (e.g., located vertically on the bottom of the vehicle) to drive fasteners horizontally into the body or other subassembly. In this manner, fasteners can be hidden and to utilize blind holes in the body of the vehicle. The system can be partially disassembled in situ to enable parts replacement and fastener access in the event of a failure. The system can be used in conjunction with a robotic cart to enable subassemblies to be removed from the vehicle for service and repair. A portion of the system can also act as a portion of, or to reinforce, the crash structure of the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Paul Choin