Recent advances in vehicular technology and the paradigm shift towards electric and autonomous vehicles are changing the transportation world. For a small niche of vehicles, such as high-performance sports vehicles, car manufacturers are exploring new technologies to enhance vehicle dynamics performance without compromising safety and passenger comfort. To mention some of them, torque vectoring with four in-wheel independent electric motors has proven to significantly improve vehicle dynamic capabilities. Additionally, innovative actuators like the active wheel carrier, which can simultaneously adjust wheel toe and camber angle, have been shown to increase a car’s agility in all turning phases. These technologies, when applied to autonomous vehicles, particularly race cars, represent the pinnacle of innovation, showcasing advanced vehicle dynamics control. Successfully navigating challenging tracks demonstrates the precision and reliability of these systems. This progress helps build public trust in the safety and capabilities of self-driving technology.

We will present three case studies applied to the aforementioned advances in vehicle dynamics control: an all-in-one torque vectoring algorithm combined with a novel regenerative brake blending algorithm for the Rimac Nevera, a combined rear-wheel steering and camber control for the Lamborghini Huracan, and, lastly, a state-of-the-art vehicle dynamics control system for an autonomous open-wheel race car.

This seminar is part of the 2024 Systems and Control Ph.D. Seminar Series. Take a look at the event program for further information.