Ongoing projects - LTU - Luleå University of Technology

Automated Automotive Tests (AAT)

This project aims to develop an automated automotive test system. The concept is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Computerized Test Driver (CTD)

The aim of this project is to remove the influence of the driver from the test loop. This is beneficial when doing repeatable tests, as well as during long time durability tests. The concept of Computerized Test Driver will be demonstrated on a full scale vehicle.

Compact Snow Characterization (CSC)

Development of courses with packed snow.

Drivability assessment and Vehicle Performance (DVP)

In this project we develop simulation models and verification methods for vehicle performance on low friction sufaces i.e. snow and ice. Verification of vehicle performance on low friction surfaces will have a significant business potential for test entrepreneurs in the close future.

Instrumentation and Communication (IaC)

A system of wireless sensors allow quick and easy instrumentation for the measurement of noise, vibration, acceleration, (wheel) angles, climate parameters and driver parameters (such as steering and braking) with CAN-logging.

Ice Track Preparation (ITP)

New methods to prepare ice tracks.

NVH in Electrical Vehicle (NEV)

The rapidly growing electric and hybrid technology for vehicles will generally lead to quieter vehicles being driven by electricity. The industry has for many years learned to deal with internal combustion engine sound and balance this as for example an appealing sound when accelerating that also masks more unwanted noise like wind-, tyre-, fan- and ABS-noise.

Road eye (RE)/Intelligent Road (IR)

The Road eye sensor is an optical sensor for road condition classification on vehicles. The sensor consists of three laser diodes and a photo detector. As different phases of water (wet, ice and snow) reflect light differently due to absorption and scattering it is possible to draw conclusions from the Road eye measurements regarding road conditions and the surface roughness.

Road Structure Estimation (RSE)

Road profile is one of the most important factors affecting vehicle performance and characteristics. Direct measurement of the road profile is either slow or need expensive profilometers. Indirect methods that are inexpensive and can be installed on a fleet of vehicles are of main interest. On-vehicle sound and vibration measurements to predict road texture are investigated in the project. The aim is to develop an indirect measurement system that can be installed on a fleet of cars and be used to measure the road profile of for example the public road system. This information can be offered to the customers, which based on the road conditions better can plan their tests. Example of information could be which roads that are free from snow and ice or road sections that are like a washboard due to snow and ice. Collected information may also be offered to road contractors.

Telematic Systems (TMS)

The CASTT project “Real Time Analysis of Data from Wireless Sensor Networks in Automotive Testing” is focusing on wireless sensor technology and its applications in automotive testing and development. The overall goal is to strategically and technically meet challenges and requirements in developing vehicles and services, thus meeting new demands from global automotive industry customers.

Test Services for Winter Tires (TSW)

Some of the test entrepreneurs as Arctic Falls have tire manufacturers as customers. The customers perform extensive tests of tires on tracks built after their requirements. Arctic Falls holds today with test tracks and garages, but does not yet the measurements. In the CASTT-project Test Services for Winter Tyres, test entrepreneurs and LTU work together to increase the knowledge in test methodology and measurement techniques. The aim is to develop new services for the test entrepreneurs to meet the demands of the car and tyre manufacturers.

Tire Friction Testing (TFT)

Tire test through a vehicle platform and prediction of grip.

Tire Generated Noise (TGN)

Interior vehicle noise is an important factor in the perceived product quality where tyre noise is a dominant source. The perceived tyre noise that the driver can experience is not only a product of the level but also by the character of the sound and the subjective expectations of the sound. In November 2012 the EU introduced a requirement for the labelling of tyre quality. The tyre label takes into account three important factors: fuel consumption, wet grip and external rolling noise. This has hastened the need to reduce tyre noise. In this project the sound quality parameters of tyres are studied as well as noise generation mechanisms and noise transfer paths.

Tire Road Friction (TRF)

Measurements of roadgrip are important for the Swedish Transport Administration. Classification of winter tires, is a desirable complement to the new information labels on tires and is a basis knowledge that should exist in Norrbottens car test region.