US Patent 11840400 Modular autonomous vehicles

Autonomous vehicle (AV) systems are disclosed that may be deployed as a single vehicular unit or multiple units that operate synchronously. An AV system may deploy a flexible and scalable number of autonomous vehicles of different sizes, capacities, and propulsion systems that either transport smaller or lighter goods alone or connect with other vehicular units to form a larger, higher capacity vehicle. Each of these units is configured to navigate independently, as well as synchronously with companion units. For example, a unit may be paired with one, two, or three or more other units to provide greater capacity in which to carry goods.