Automated vehicle platooning systems and associated methods

A hard connect for connecting a lead vehicle to a follower vehicle of a vehicle platoon, the hard connect comprising:

• a mechanical linkage comprising a lead end pivot joint and a lead end connector located at a lead end of the mechanical linkage to pivotably connect by the lead end pivot joint the mechanical linkage to the lead vehicle whereby a non-zero lead end angle is formable between a central axis of the mechanical linkage and the lead vehicle, and a follower end pivot joint and follower end connector located at an opposing follower end of the mechanical linkage to pivotably connect by the follower end pivot joint the mechanical linkage to the follower vehicle whereby a non-zero follower end angle is formable between the central axis and the follower vehicle that is separate from the lead end angle, and wherein the follower end connector is translatable along the central axis relative to the lead end connector;
• a sensor unit positioned along the mechanical linkage and configured to provide sensor data associated with the position of the follower vehicle relative to the lead vehicle;
• and
• a hard connect control unit positioned along the mechanical linkage and comprising one or more processors and a storage device coupled to the one or more processors, the storage device configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to autonomously drive the follower vehicle based on the sensor data provided to the hard connect control unit by the sensor unit.

A method for operating a vehicle platoon, the method comprising:

• (a) driving by a human operator a lead vehicle of the vehicle platoon;
• (b) transferring loads between the lead vehicle and a follower vehicle of the vehicle platoon by a mechanical linkage of a hard connect connected between the lead vehicle and the follower vehicle;
• (c) pivoting a lead end connector of the mechanical linkage connected to the lead vehicle to form a non-zero lead end angle between a central axis of the mechanical linkage and the lead vehicle;
• (d) pivoting a follower end connector of the mechanical linkage connected to the follower vehicle to form a non-zero follower end angle between the central axis and the follower vehicle that is separate from the lead end angle;
• (e) translating the follower end connector along the central axis relative to the lead end connector;
• and
• (f) autonomously driving the follower vehicle by a hard connect control unit of the hard connect positioned along the mechanical linkage based on sensor data provided to the hard connect control unit by a sensor unit of the hard connect.