US 11,989,033 B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus for high-traffic density personalized transportation
Gary E. Georgeson, Tacoma, WA (US); Kenneth H. Griess, Kent, WA (US); and Joseph Lawrence Hafenrichter, Auburn, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 25, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/582,870.
Prior Publication US 2021/0089050 A1, Mar. 25, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G05D 1/00 (2006.01); B60D 1/01 (2006.01); B62D 63/02 (2006.01)
CPC G05D 1/0287 (2013.01) [B60D 1/01 (2013.01); B62D 63/025 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a transit carrier having a first location, the transit carrier including:
a first movement system,
first stacking couplers,
a first magnetic coupler on a first side of the transit carrier,
a second magnetic coupler on a second side of the transit carrier, the second side opposite of the first side, and
first and second sensors on opposing lateral sides of the first magnetic coupler;
a transit pod having a second movement system, second stacking couplers, and a second location, the second stacking couplers configured to couple to the first stacking couplers; and
a controller to:
in response to obtaining a request to direct the transit carrier to move from the first location to the second location, invoke the transit pod to couple to the transit carrier by directing the transit pod to move on top of the transit carrier using the second movement system based on output from the first and second sensors; and
when the transit carrier is coupled to the transit pod, invoke the transit carrier to move the transit pod to a third location using the first movement system.