Predictive Suspension System

by Amol Borkar, Clemson Automotive Engineering Graduate Student

Basic Description

The main function of an active suspension system is to control the vertical movement of the wheels with an on-board system to provide a greater level of comfort and safety to the vehicle occupants as well as to maintain long term durability of vehicle’s mechanical and electronic components. An extension to this technology is the predictive suspension system, which scans the road in front of the vehicle and performs suspension control calculations in advance to improve the ride quality of the vehicle.

The first commercial implementation of a predictive suspension system was introduced in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S class. Mercedes calls their system Magic Body Control.

The Magic Body Control system does a road surface scan using a stereo camera positioned just behind the windshield that measures the road up to 15 m in front of the vehicle with a height measurement accuracy of around 3 mm. It sends the data recorded to the control unit for the suspension where it is evaluated. Together with information on the driving conditions, the control unit continually calculates the best control strategy for dealing with unevenness in the road. Within a fraction of a second, the active suspension system adjusts to conditions on the road to give the passengers the best ride in terms of comfort and handling. This system works well under conditions of day light being a camera based system and up to speeds of 80 mph.

Audi is working on a similar predictive suspension system for its cars coupled with the active suspensions where the system can scan irregularities on the road surfaces up to 20 m ahead with the help of stereo cameras and a PMD (photo mix detector) sensor.

Sensors

Stereo video camera, radar sensors, PMD sensor, GPS receiver, acceleration sensor, position sensors, steering wheel position

Actuators

Shock absorbers or struts that can be extended or retracted based on electric signal input

Data Communication

High-speed CAN

Manufacturer

Mercedes-Benz

For More Information

[1] Mercedes-Benz Magic Body Control, Mercedes-Benz Tech Center Website.

[2] Audi Already has Concrete Progress in Predictive Suspension, White Carter, AutoCar, July 7, 2012.

[3] Active Suspension Systems, Clemson University Vehicular Electronics Laboratory Website.

[4] Audi Visions - Predictive Suspension, YouTube, Mar. 1, 2012.

[5] Audi Visions - Predictive Suspension (Audi visions), YouTube, Mar. 1, 2012.

[6] Mercedes-Benz TV: How Magic Body Control Works, YouTube, Sep. 13, 2013.

[7] Mercedes-Benz TV: Magic Body Control TV Commercial, YouTube, Sep. 23, 2013.