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Current potential research project

Total steer-by-wire - Active joystick development

  1. Supervisors: Dr Paul Gunther and Dr. Sang-Heon Lee
  2. Area: Ergonomics, Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  3. Abstract: Modern electric vehicles will no longer use legacy technology for powertrain, chassis, steering, control and package. In the course of replacing traditional fuel engines, modern electric drives are expected to move into the wheels, which will make the engine compartment available for better use. As mechanical steering and pedal mechanisms which are already being replaced by electrical components, and floor tunnels for exhaust system or driveshaft become history, vehicle package engineering will be revolutionized. With the option of avoiding the famous “package dilemma”, the complete vehicle control system can then be packaged into a joystick for accelerating, braking and steering. In order to provide a system with feedback similar to a current mechanical (steering wheel) control architecture, joysticks will have to provide simulated force feedback to the driver (i.e. active joystick). This force feedback will be flexible to support a variety of joystick input-output characteristics (linear, square, logarithmic) for different driving conditions (high speed, low speed, cornering, parking, turning). Test track experiments with a double active joystick configuration have been successfully conducted by Daimler in the early 2000s with a “hybrid” (steering and joysticks) SL500. Active joysticks are also available from the consumer (game) industry and are used in modern aircraft. This PhD project is to research the actual state of passenger vehicle active joystick technology, and active joysticks with potential for use in passenger vehicles. Shortfalls of the current technology need to be identified and solutions developed. Assuming a fail-safe current supply, steps towards implementing the technology in a passenger vehicle shall be discussed. The project will require lab studies into driver performance and driver strain, using common ergonomic methods.
  4. Related references: Not provided

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