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Methods for motion control with a coupled suspension systems of automobile have been proposed and their effectiveness has been shown by the previous studies. However, it is not easy to couple hydraulic dampers because it requires designing and manufacturing complex pipelines. Recently, the electromagnetic damper, which is composed of an electric motor, a ball screw, and a nut, was proposed. The electromagnetic damper has high responsiveness, controllability, and energy saving performance, and it has been reported they improved ride comfort and drivability. The electromagnetic damper has various function depending on the electric circuit connected to its electric motor and can be connected to each other more easily than that by hydraulic dampers.

Small size electric vehicles require active safety technology to prevent road accidents as well as protect drivers and passengers from severe damages. This paper proposes an intersection collision avoidance system by automatic electric braking utilizing in-wheel-motors of electric vehicles. The proposed vehicle control system focuses on the risk assessment in consideration of pedestrians. Consequently, a risk avoidance algorithm based on Potential Fields theory is described to handle the hazardous situations which change dynamically with pedestrian motion. Finally, the effectiveness of the autonomous driving system is verified by the experiments using the micro-scale electric vehicle. The results show that the proposed autonomous vehicle can accomplish the right turn with negotiating a moving pedestrian.