EDAG CityBot – Chassis and Vehicle Dynamics Control of a Multifunctional, Autonomous Robot Vehicle
摘要
The EDAG CityBot is a highly automated transport and utility vehicle. The ecosystem comprises a tractor along with different utility modules which can be connected to the tractor. These modules are tailored to specific use cases, for instance, to carry cargo or to transport passengers. In the absence of a physical driver, the vehicle features a drive-by-wire platform including steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire. The tractor can perform unique driving maneuvers, such as turn-on-spot, sideways drive, and diagonal drive. For this purpose, a specifically developed chassis enables steering angles between +90° and –45° per wheel. This innovative fashion is also reflected in the trailer module (PeopleMover) whose suspension supplies a significantly higher lateral stiffness compared to common LCV-rear axles. The holistic development approach is supplemented by a brake-by-wire system. Due to the seamless combination of regenerative and dissipative braking, a major part of the vehicle’s kinetic energy can be recuperated. Following an extensive development process, all (automated) driving functions and their respective x-by-wire actuators have been modelled, simulated, and tested numerically. In conclusion, this study outlines the EDAG CityBot’s chassis concept including its requirements, (highly automated) driving functions as well as the underlying suspension, steering, and braking system. The technical introduction of each subsystem provides insights into EDAG’s broad development capabilities.