KoopF
Validation of the feasibility and robustness of energy-efficient and cooperative driving functions
Traffic volumes have increased significantly in recent decades. In order to meet the resulting challenges of increasing inner-city traffic density and rising energy requirements, research is being conducted on the automation and networking of vehicles, along with other areas. Cooperative driving functions (automated vehicles in a network) represent a promising approach to solving these problems.
Simulative preparatory work has already been able to demonstrate the benefits of the technology in terms of reducing fuel consumption and improving traffic efficiency. However, there are still open questions regarding a transfer of these functions to the real vehicle, that are to be answered with the help of this validation project and the acquisition of a prototype control unit.
To achieve this, the cooperative driving function already developed at the Teaching and Research Area Mechatronics in Mobile Propulsion of RWTH Aachen University will be adapted for the target ECU and ECU-compatible software will be developed. After integration of the ECU into the vehicle, the software to be validated is put into operation. This is followed by test drives with the developed driving function and a rule-based reference driving strategy. With the help of the work carried out, the energy-saving potential of cooperative driving functions identified in the simulation is to be confirmed in the real vehicle and solutions for real-time capability and robustness to sensor inaccuracies and other disturbance variables are to be developed.