Vehicle drive and control system

A utility vehicle, comprising:

• a vehicle bus operable to communicate signals to and from one or more vehicle components;
• a plurality of controllers;
• a first traction wheel and a second traction wheel disposed on opposing sides of the utility vehicle;
• a first electric drive motor configured to drive the first traction wheel;
• a second electric drive motor configured to drive the second traction wheel;
• a steering wheel configured to receive a first user input for a desired direction of motion;
• one or more pedals configured to receive a second user input for a desired speed of motion;
• a steering input sensor connected to the steering wheel, wherein the steering input sensor is configured to detect a steering input position of the steering wheel and transmit, via the vehicle bus, a steering input signal that corresponds with the steering input position;
• and
• a drive input sensor connected to the one or more pedals, wherein the drive input sensor is configured to detect a drive input position of the one or more pedals and transmit, via the vehicle bus, a drive input signal that corresponds with the drive input position;
• wherein the plurality of controllers are configured to collectively:
• receive the steering input signal and the drive input signal via the vehicle bus;
• and
• generate, based on the steering input signal and the drive input signal, a first drive signal to drive the first electric drive motor and a second drive signal to drive the second electric drive motor to obtain the desired speed of motion and the desired direction of motion.

A utility vehicle, comprising:

• a plurality of controllers;
• a first traction wheel and a second traction wheel disposed on opposing sides of the utility vehicle;
• a first electric drive motor configured to drive the first traction wheel;
• a second electric drive motor configured to drive the second traction wheel;
• a steering input device configured to receive a first user input for a desired direction of motion;
• one or more drive input devices configured to receive a second user input for a desired speed of motion;
• a steering input sensor connected to the steering input device, wherein the steering input sensor is configured to detect a steering input position of the steering input device and transmit a steering input signal that corresponds with the steering input position;
• and
• a drive input sensor connected to the one or more drive input devices, wherein the drive input sensor is configured to detect a drive input position of the one or more drive input devices and transmit a drive input signal that corresponds with the drive input position;
• wherein the plurality of controllers are configured to collectively:
• receive the steering input signal and the drive input signal;
• and
• generate, based on the steering input signal and the drive input signal, a first drive signal to drive the first electric drive motor and a second drive signal to drive the second electric drive motor to obtain the desired speed of motion and the desired direction of motion.