In recent years, autonomous driving technology has become an important trend in the development of the automotive industry, especially in the field of electric vehicles. At present, the research and development of autonomous driving systems and electric vehicles has made significant progress around the world, and has begun to subtly change people's travel habits. In order to promote the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and stimulate the vitality of technological innovation in the Greater Bay Area, representatives of the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government recently visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to inspect the innovative scientific research achievements of the Director of the Power Electronics Research Centre, Mr Cheng Ka-wai, and his team in the field of autonomous driving of electric vehicles.
Professor Cheng Jiawei said at the conference that although the development of autonomous driving technology has matured around the world, there is still an urgent need to promote the deep integration of electromechanical systems and autonomous driving functions. He then further introduced his and PolyU team's latest R&D project, a four-wheel-drive energy-efficient autonomous electric vehicle.
Meeting site
Professor Zheng described in detail the composition and operation of the vehicle's sensors, intelligent steering, usage scenarios, simulators for map construction, basic hardware (such as vehicle chassis design, in-wheel motor design), etc., and showed a number of important test data of the vehicle when used in outdoor scenarios. Whether it's energy-saving trajectory planning, energy modeling, or speed optimization that takes into account energy costs and motor efficiency, the R&D team not only takes the overall performance and energy efficiency of the vehicle to a higher level, but also takes safety into account.
"This is the world's first four-wheel drive energy-saving autonomous electric vehicle that can use angular speed control and differential speed control and has a power-saving function." Professor Zheng said that through the carbon-neutral transportation hub of vehicles, both the autonomous driving system and the power transmission system can achieve a highly dynamic and energy-efficient effect, so that the vehicle can go faster, longer and safer. "Our R&D team has made a series of innovations on several energy-efficient components, such as the powertrain system, battery system, regeneration and steering system. In addition, the vehicle has advanced energy-saving algorithms, which can flexibly plan the best route and the best steering, so that people can get the best driving experience. ”
Professor Zheng Jiawei told the reporter of Xinhua News Agency that in terms of energy saving, the vehicle uses fully automatic navigation technology, adopts the design of angle speed in the wheel, and optimizes the speed control of the motor to achieve better energy-saving effects. Compared with traditional electric vehicles, this energy-efficient autonomous electric vehicle cooperates with each other through functions such as motors, sensors, controllers, radar, ultrasonic, and GPS control. In addition, the wheels can transport power to the battery during operation.
In terms of operation, the vehicle is driven by four wheels, and each tire is able to control the resistance to the road surface, with good anti-skid and anti-collision functions. In slippery environments such as snow, the wheels can also control the glide angle and speed with the road surface to ensure safe driving.
In terms of production and popularization, because the chassis of the vehicle is easy to be equipped with batteries, and the wheels are equipped with electric motors, the vehicle does not need to use traditional clutches, bearings, etc. The simple design of "light loading" greatly reduces the production cost.
Afterwards, Professor Cheng led the representatives of the Innovation and Technology Commission to the outdoors to demonstrate the operation of the four-wheel drive energy-saving autonomous electric vehicle. Representatives of the Innovation and Technology Commission also conducted a test drive and said that they felt the convenience and fun of electric vehicles, such as lightness and speed, and intelligent autonomous driving.
Professor Cheng Ka-wai demonstrates the operation of a four-wheel drive energy-saving autonomous electric vehicle
Representatives of the Innovation and Technology Commission experience intelligent autonomous driving
Finally, Professor Zheng expressed the hope that this energy-saving autonomous electric vehicle can be put into production as soon as possible to benefit the people, so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful life experience brought by scientific and technological innovation. (Xinsha)
Professor Cheng Ka-wai (third from left) and the R&D team
Text, photo/Yi Chunyan