Suntrust Bank

Thomas K Ferguson

Michael Owens

This disclosure provides a device and a system for retrofitting a vehicle for unmanned operation. The system can have a navigation computer that can provide commands to a plurality of actuators for manipulating the onboard controls of a vehicle. The navigation computer can receive input from one or more remote operators and from a variety of sensors. The plurality of actuators can include a steering actuator that surrounds a steering column or a steering column housing to engage with a steering wheel of the vehicle. The steering actuator can have tongs that engage the steering wheel. The tongs can be coupled to an inner gear ring that can rotate within an outer housing of the steering actuator. Rotation of the tongs can interact with and move the steering wheel in response to commands from the navigation computer.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Walton Beach, FL, United States of America

Thomas K Ferguson