Flex-0
By-wire vehicle control – an alternative to driving robots
Our Flex-0 controller offers many of the advantages of driving robots, such as accurate path-following and use of our patented Synchro choreography. Instead of mechanical actuators, it controls the vehicle via CAN or Ethernet messages.
The video on the right shows some typical uses.
How can I use the Flex-0?
Control your vehicles
As shown in the video above, OEMs can enable access to their vehicles by providing an interface between our standard CAN output and the data format required by the vehicles. This typically requires a small real-time processor to run the interface, such as a dSpace Micro Autobox. This approach means that the customer does not need to disclose details of its by-wire interface to third parties.
Control other vehicles
We can offer fully interfaced drive-by-wire solutions for a range of vehicles, including those from Kia and Ford. This allows production vehicles to be used as synchronised traffic in test scenarios for ADAS and self-driving cars.
Watch this video of a drive-by-wire vehicle directly controlled using our Flex-0 controller performing ADAS scenarios like the AEB car-to-car rear braking (CCRb).
Use RC, Path following and Synchro
Manoeuvres are programmed using the same RC software used across the AB Dynamics range and can even be copied from those run previously with robots, including steering inputs, path-following and pedal inputs. The Flex-0 can be used with our patented Synchro technology, meaning the vehicle can be synchronised with other human or robot-driven vehicles and ADAS targets.
With or without a driver onboard
Just like with our driving robots, by-wire control can be used with or without a human driver in the vehicle. For driverless testing in dangerous tests, this greatly reduces the amount of hardware installed in the vehicle, when compared to using a full driving robot system.
AB Dynamics offers the S-Brake backup safety brake for driverless testing. With an in-built safety controller monitoring the main control system, the S-Brake can apply the brakes to stop the vehicle in the event of a problem.
