Search Results

Present and future assisting systems are meant to support the driver in coping with the difficulties of driving. The design of the system properties and their limits helps to influence on the road-driving behavior directly and through teach-back effects. On the other hand, there is a potential risk of negative effects on the safety due to a division of tasks between the driver and the technical system. Bearing this in mind, the Automotive Engineering Department and the Department of Ergonomics of Darmstadt University of Technology were engaged by BMW AG to investigate the distance behavior of vehicles with and without ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) which is used to control the speed and distance maintained to vehicles ahead and turning into the traffic. This trial was made with the aim of a representative and objective investigation of the behavior of the total system of driver-vehicle-environment in road traffic.

Future on-board vehicle control systems can be further improved through new types of mechatronic systems. In particular, these systems'' capacities for interaction enhance safety, comfort and economic viability. The Automotive Engineering Department (fzd) of Darmstadt University of Technology is engaged in research of the mechatronic vehicle corner, which consists of three subsystems: sensor tire, electrically actuated wheel brake and smart suspension. By intercommunication of these three systems, the brake controller receives direct, fast and permanent information about dynamic events in the tire contact area provided by the tire sensor as valuable control input. This allows to control operation conditions of each wheel brake. The information provided by the tire sensor for example helps to distinguish between straightline driving and cornering as well as to determine μ-split conditions.