US Patent 8245807 Automated vehicle and system utilizing an optical sensing system

An automated vehicle includes a vehicle body, a power source, one or more motors, running gear for facilitating movement, and an optical system. The one or more motors are housed within the vehicle body and are in operable connection with the power source, and the running gear are in operable connection with the one or more motors. The optical system includes one or more optical sensors positioned generally at an underside of the vehicle body. The one or more optical sensors are configured to generate an output in response to a path. The optical system is configured to regulate an amount of power supplied to the one or more motors in response to the output generated by the one or more optical sensors.