The perspectives of research for enhancing active safety based on advanced control technology

This paper considers the scope and the methodologies for enhancing active safety of road vehicles by sensing and control technologies. The first part of this paper introduces statistical data of traffic accidents in Japan, and describes the development of the drive recorder for accident/incident survey and analysis. Based on vehicle dynamics data, the algorithm of the drive recorder for capturing near-miss incident data is introduced. The second part of this paper reviews control problems of vehicle dynamics on micro-scale electric vehicles for enhancing vehicle dynamics and driving assistance function. In particular, the direct yaw moment control using in-wheel-motors and the active front steering control algorithm are described. The third part of the paper introduces the advanced driver assistance system adapted to driver characteristics and traffic situations. This part mainly describes an adaptive system, which adjusts the assisting manoeuvre depending on individual driver behaviour and situation, and some experimental investigations using the active interface vehicle and driving simulator. Finally, some perspectives and new challenges for future research on vehicle control technology are mentioned.