Thesis work - 30 hp - Road feedback study and estimation for Steer-by-wire technology

Thesis work - 30 hp – Road feedback study and estimation for Steer-by-wire technology

Introduction

Thesis work is an excellent way to get closer to Scania and build relationships for the future. Many of today's employees began their Scania career with their degree project.

Background

Steer-by-wire represents the next generation of steering systems in the automotive industry, a step towards fully autonomous solutions. It offers several advantages such as elimination of play and friction in the steering column, newer driver assistance concepts and shared control, enabling modularity and customizable steering feel, to name a few. However with the mechanical connection between the driver and road eliminated there is a risk of degraded driving feel. The forces from the road need to be estimated and communicated to the driver to provide the required haptic feedback. Whether it is loss of grip, bump, a degraded tire or varying road surface, the forces and vibrations need to be provided in the steering wheel.

Objective

The aim of the project is to develop models that can estimate road forces in the steering wheel to provide an acceptable haptic feel in a steer-by-wire vehicle. The project is a part of an ongoing PhD study within this topic and provides an opportunity to contribute to a piece in the large puzzle.

Job description

We are looking for a dynamic, driven and enthusiastic final year master student in automotive/ vehicle/ control/ mechatronics engineering with a background in vehicle dynamics and control theory.

Experience working with state estimators, Kalman filters, disturbance observers.

Working proficiency with Matlab/Simulink and foundational knowledge in CAN communication is an added advantage.

Deliverables of this thesis are summarized in the points below

• Perform a comprehensive literature survey for the methods used to estimate road forces. They could be model-based methods, state estimation and disturbance observers, learning and data based methods and so on.
• Using existing signals, develop models to estimate road forces and identify the most suitable methods in the context of heavy commercial vehicles, using existing virtual simulation models and/or test data.
• Evaluate the performance of the different estimators under varying conditions for accuracy and robustness using vehicle logged data/virtual simulation environments.
• Identify the frequency range for different types of disturbances experienced in the steering wheel in existing steering systems and develop filters to the previously developed estimators to mimic road feedback in the steering wheel.
• Report findings to respective stakeholders within Traton.

Education/program/focus

Indicate education, program or focus: Master student in automotive/ vehicle/ control/ mechatronics engineering with a background in vehicle dynamics and control theory.

Number of students: 2

Start date for the thesis work: January 2027

Estimated time required: ~5 months

Contact persons and supervisors

Annika Norbäck Westad, Unit head, [email protected] Aniroodh Kumaraswamy, Supervisor, [email protected]

Application:

Your application must include a CV, personal letter and transcript of grades

A background check might be conducted for this position. We are conducting interviews continuously and may close the recruitment earlier than the date specified.