CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR CORNER MODULES OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND METHODS OF OPERATION

Novel electric vehicles are disclosed herein. In addition, a control system for an electric vehicle comprising a plurality of vehicle corner modules (VCMs) comprises a network of VCM-controllers. Each VCM comprises at least two subsystems selected from a drive subsystem, a steering subsystem, and a braking subsystem. Each VCM-controller is onboard and installed within a different respective VCM, and is operatively linked to each one of the at least two subsystems of its respective VCM to receive sensor data and to regulate operation in response to incoming signals received from outside its VCM. The control system provides a no-fault operating mode defined by the absence of a control-system fault. A VCM-controller of a first VCM is programmed to control, when operating in the no-fault operating mode, at least one subsystem in a second VCM.