In the present paper, an Evasive Manoeuvre Assist (EMA) function is designed to adapt to different types of drivers, by an optimised steering torque overlay. The existing EMA function amplifies the driver steering inputs using a feed-forward controller which might not necessarily help an over-reactive driver. There exists a need for an EMA which adapts to different drivers as it minimises the risk of collision and gives the driver an experience of good control. The focus of this paper is to identify and define a proper steering sequence reference model for closed-loop feedback control design. A simple single-point preview model is designed first to calculate the reference steering angle. A few test scenarios are set-up using the IPG CarMaker$$^\text {TM}$$simulation tool. The reference model is then calibrated with respect to the amplitude and frequency of the steering sequence by offline optimisation to obtain the optimal steering profile. A feedback controller is then designed using this reference model. The robustness of the function is verified in real-time, using a Volvo rapid-prototype test vehicle.

This work deals with utilisation of active steering and propulsion on individual wheels in order to improve a vehicle's energy efficiency during a double lane change manoeuvre at moderate speeds. Through numerical optimisation, solutions have been found for how wheel steering angles and propulsion torques should be used in order to minimise the energy consumed by the vehicle travelling through the manoeuvre. The results show that, for the studied vehicle, the energy consumption due to cornering resistance can be reduced by approximately 10% compared to a standard vehicle configuration. Based on the optimisation study, simplified algorithms to control wheel steering angles and propulsion torques that results in more energy efficient cornering are proposed. These algorithms are evaluated in a simulation study that includes a path tracking driver model. Based on a combined rear axle steering and torque vectoring control an improvement of 6–8% of the energy consumption due to cornering was found. The results indicate that in order to improve energy efficiency for a vehicle driving in a non-safety-critical cornering situation the force distribution should be shifted towards the front wheels.

Actively controlling the camber angle to improve energy efficiency has recently gained interest due to the importance of reducing energy consumption and the driveline electrification trend that makes cost-efficient implementation of actuators possible. To analyse how much energy that can be saved with camber control, the effect of changing the camber angles on the forces and moments of the tyre under different driving conditions should be considered. In this paper, Magic Formula tyre models for combined slip and camber are used for simulation of energy analysis. The components of power loss during cornering are formulated and used to explain the influence that camber angles have on the power loss. For the studied driving paths and the assumed driver model, the simulation results show that active camber control can have considerable influence on power loss during cornering. Different combinations of camber angles are simulated, and a camber control algorithm is proposed and verified in simulation. The results show that the camber controller has very promising application prospects for energy-efficient cornering.

This paper describes how differential braking can be used to turn a vehicle in the context of providing fail-operational control for self-driving vehicles. Two vehicle models are developed with differential input. The models are used to explain the bounds of curvature that differential braking provides and they are then validated with measurements in a test vehicle. Particular focus is paid on wheel suspension effects that significantly influence the obtained curvature. The vehicle behaviour and its limitations due to wheel suspension effects are, owing to the vehicle models, defined and explained. Finally, a model-based controller is developed to control the vehicle curvature during a fault by differential braking. The controller is designed to compensate for wheel angle disturbance that is likely to occur during the control event.

In this paper, the performance of an Evasive Manoeuvre Assistance System is evaluated on the test track, where an imminent half-overlapping side collision scenario is reconstructed. The control function here aims to reduce the steering effort for an emergency swerve in front of obstacle and to ease the following recovery into the driver perceived safe zone. This is realized by combined differential braking and steering torque overlay, which improves the agreement between steering input and vehicle response. Preliminary test results have shown that the function has a great potential to reduce collision risk at the presence of suddenly appeared obstacle in front.

This paper describes how differential braking can be used to turn a vehicle in the context of providing fail-operational control for self-driving vehicles. A vehicle model is developed with differential brake and steering inputs. The model is used to explain the bounds of curvature that differential braking provides and it is then validated with measurements in a test vehicle. Particular focus is paid on wheel suspension effects that significantly influence the obtained curvature. Finally, a model based controller is developed to control the curvature by differential braking. The controller is designed to compensate for the wheel angle disturbance that is introduced as a result of the control event.

More accurate information about the basic vehicle parameters can improve the dynamic control functions of a vehicle. Methods for online estimation of the mass, the rolling resistance, the aerodynamic drag coefficient, the yaw inertia and the longitudinal position of the centre of gravity of an electric hybrid vehicle is therefore proposed. The estimators use the standard vehicle sensor set and the estimate of the electric motor torque. No additional sensors are hence required and no assumptions are made regarding the tyre or the vehicle characteristics. Consequently, all information about the vehicle is available to the estimator. The estimators are evaluated using both simulations and experiments. Estimations of the mass, the rolling resistance and the aerodynamic drag coefficient are based on a recursive least-squares method with multiple forgetting factors. The mass estimate converged to within 3% of the measured vehicle mass for the test cases with sufficient excitation that were evaluated. Two methods to estimate the longitudinal position of the centre of gravity and the yaw inertia are also proposed. The first method is based on the equations of motion and was found to be sensitive to the measurement and parameter errors. The second method is based on the estimated mass and seat-belt indicators. This estimator is more robust and reduces the estimation error in comparison with that obtained by assuming static parameters. The results show that the proposed method improves the estimations of the inertial parameters. Hence, it enables online non-linear tyre force estimators and tyre-model-based tyre-road friction estimators to be used in production vehicles.

Knowledge of the maximum tyre-road friction coefficient can improve active safety systems by defining actuator boundaries and adaptable intervention thresholds. Estimation of the coefficient of friction based on tyre response measurements requires large level of force excitation. Under normal driving conditions, manoeuvres with large tyre utilizations are rare. This study investigates a method where wheel torques with opposite signs are applied to the front and rear axle simultaneously. This procedure allows for an intervention with large tyre excitations without disturbing the motion of the vehicle. The intervention is evaluated in simulations and experiments. Further, a method is proposed which does not require measurement of the vehicle longitudinal velocity. The results show that it is possible to estimate the current friction coefficient with the proposed method, although the assumption made in the proposed method makes the friction estimate sensitive to measurement noise on the wheel speed signal.

The objective of this work is to present a new functionality of over-actuated systems, such as Wheel Corner Modules, to reduce the rolling loss in vehicles. The findings are based on numerical simulations using a bicycle model coupled with a newly proposed tyre model which is capable of simulating the tyre losses during vehicle motions. The results show that for the considered vehicle in the considered manoeuvre the rolling loss can be reduced about 25–40% by proper control of camber and slip angle combinations, while still maintaining the vehicle performance.

This work deals with how to utilise active suspension on individual vehicle wheels in order to improve the vehicle performance during straight-line braking. Through numerical optimisation, solutions have been found as regards how active suspension should be controlled and coordinated with friction brakes to shorten the braking distance. The results show that, for the studied vehicle, the braking distance can be shortened by more than 1 m when braking from 100 km/h. The applicability of these results is studied by investigating the approach for different vehicle speeds and actuator stroke limitations. It is shown that substantial improvements in the braking distance can also be found for lower velocities, and that the actuator strokes are an important parameter. To investigate the potential of implementing these findings in a real vehicle, a validated detailed vehicle model equipped with active struts is analysed. Simplified control laws, appropriate for on-board implementation and based on knowledge of the optimised solution, are proposed and evaluated. The results show that substantial improvements of the braking ability, and thus safety, can be made using this simplified approach. Particle model simulations have been made to explain the underlying physical mechanisms and limitations of the approach. These results provide valuable guidance on how active suspension can be used to achieve significant improvements in vehicle performance with reasonable complexity and energy consumption.