Design Of Future Vehicles Research Articles

Hydromechanical properties of metachronal swimming in polychaetes

Free-swimming polychaetes are common in marine habitats and exhibit a unique form of swimming whereby a metachronal wave occurs simultaneously with a bending body wave. This body wave is unusual among swimming animals because it travels in the same direction as the animal’s swimming direction. However, we currently lack a mechanistic understanding of this unusual form of locomotion. In this study we use a combination of high-speed, high-resolution video and particle image velocimetry (PIV) to quantify kinematics and fluid dynamics for three species of swimming polychaetes, spanning two orders of magnitude in size. We find that in all species, flows generated by metachronal waves of parapodia dominate while typical flows associated with body bending is absent. However, the parapodia are less flexible than propulsive structures in other metachronal swimmers. This creates a localized, but substantial upstream flow during the recovery stroke. Using body bending, the recovery stroke can occur mostly beneath the bulk flow from the power strokes, resulting in minimal inference while the subsequent power stroke can benefit from the pressure field generated during recovery. These results may have implications for future vehicle designs that incorporate metachronal locomotion.

Intelligent solar light electric vehicle moving in hot regions under a hybrid power source strategy

Solar Light Electric Vehicles (ISLEV) have recently gained increasing attention as a promising solution for sustainable transportation. In hot regions, such as the BECHAR region in southwest Algeria, where temperatures can exceed 50 °C, the challenge of maintaining high performance standards while coping with challenging environmental conditions is critical. To address this challenge, this study proposes an intelligent hybrid power source strategy comprising SUN Power solar PV and lithium-ion battery supercapacitors. To optimize the vehicle's performance, a feedforward neural network FF-NN is employed, which regulates the power flow between the hybrid sources. The proposed system's efficiency and effectiveness are assessed through simulations, which reveal its robustness in coping with challenging environmental conditions while maintaining high performance standards. The results show that the proposed system holds con-siderable potential for sustainable and efficient transportation in hot regions and can have broad applications in diverse sectors. Future industrial vehicle designs must incorporate the choice of hybrid power management into their planning process to ensure the efficient use of energy and optimize the vehicle's performance.

Scientific benchmarking: Engineering quality evaluation of electric vehicle concepts

We present a simulation tool that utilizes advanced modeling techniques to quantify the customer-relevant features of different battery electric vehicles (BEV) concepts. By incorporating comprehensive longitudinal and lateral dynamics analyses, the tool provides an in-depth understanding of passenger vehicle concepts in various driving conditions. Furthermore, the tool emphasizes evaluating comfort, presenting a holistic view concluding into the overall driving experience. Metrics considering the vehicle’s packaging are employed to assess the comfort aspects of the concepts. Implementing this simulation tool achieves a more systematic and reliable approach to evaluating BEV concepts. The application based on the parameters of 18 state-of-the-art BEV proved its compliance in the presented categories with the results of physical tests performed by reputable magazines with great experience and comprehensice test protocols. Its academic foundation ensures the utilization of state-of-the-art methodologies and the integration of the latest research findings in vehicle dynamics and comfort. This simulation tool offers automotive engineers, researchers, and industry stakeholders a valuable resource for objectively assessing and benchmarking the performance and comfort aspects of BEV concepts. With its ability to provide accurate evaluations and reasoning for weaknesses, this tool has the potential to significantly contribute to the advancement and optimization of future electric vehicle designs by assessing concepts in early development stages before physical prototypes are available, allowing for cost-efficient modifications.

A comprehensive review on architectural design and development of flexible photovoltaic solar panel

This review article aims to investigate the potential of flexible solar panels to revolutionize building and vehicle roofing design. The study explores the technology, its advantages over conventional panels, and architectural design considerations for seamless integration into curved surfaces. Flexible solar panels represent an emerging technology with the potential to transform the aesthetics and functionality of buildings and vehicles. Unlike rigid panels, flexible solar cells can conform to curved surfaces, offering new possibilities for architectural design and energy generation. This review comprehensively explores the technology behind flexible solar panels, comparing their characteristics to conventional flat panels. It delves into architectural design considerations, examining various methods and tools employed for optimizing panel shape, arrangement, and integration within the built environment. The findings of this review highlight the significant advantages of flexible solar panels in terms of aesthetic appeal and design flexibility. The ability to seamlessly integrate these panels into curved surfaces opens up new possibilities for architectural innovation. Flexible solar panels have the potential to become an integral component of future building and vehicle design. By overcoming the limitations of traditional solar technology, these panels can contribute to sustainable energy generation while enhancing the visual appeal of structures. Further research and development are necessary to optimize the efficiency and durability of flexible solar panels for extensive adoption.

Research on Interior Design of New Energy Vehicles under the Concept of Information Materialization

This research focuses on the interior designing of electric vehicles (EVs), considered as new energy vehicles (NEVs), within the information materialization framework. The idea of information materialization refers to the quantifiable demonstrations of given data within the vehicle interior space, enhancing user interactions and experiences. Considering the State of Charge (SoC) as the crucial designing parameter, the research investigates the several implications of SoC on NEV interior designing. SoC, a critical parameter that reflects the battery's charging level, profoundly influence the merging of SoC data into the vehicle's dashboard or infotainment systems, ensuring seamless accessibility and intuitive interpretations for the driver. Instant alerts and notifications are designed based on SoC levels to provide real-time feedback and guidance to end users, optimizing driving ranges and strategies for charging. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the significance of customization options in SoC displaying formats and accommodates varying users preferences and requirements of visibility. Analysis of empirical and feedback from users, the research confirms the effectiveness of SoC-driven designing intervention in enhancing user experiences, safety, and overall functionalities interiors of NEV. The findings underscore the pivotal role of SoC as a fundamental designing parameter in shaping the next generations of NEV interiors and highlight the need for complete consideration of energy management aspects in future vehicle design endeavors.

Human and Porcine Lumbar Endplate Injury Risk in Repeated Flexion-Compression.

Low back pain (LBP) affects 50-80% of adults at some pointin their lifetime, yet the etiology of injury is not well understood. Those exposed to repeated flexion-compression are at a higher risk for LBP, such as helicopter pilots and motor vehicle operators. Animal injury models offer insight into in vivo injury mechanisms, but interspecies scaling is needed to relate animal results to human. Human (n = 16) and porcine (n = 20) lumbar functional spinal units (FSUs) were loaded in repeated flexion-compression (1Hz) to determine endplate fracture risk over long loading exposures. Flexion oscillated from 0 to 6° and peak applied compressivestress ranged from 0.65 to 2.38MPa for human and 0.64 to 4.68MPa for porcine specimens. Five human and twelve porcine injuries were observed. The confidence intervals for human and porcine 50% injury risk curves in terms of stress and cycles overlapped, indicating similar failure behavior for this loading configuration. However, porcine specimens were more tolerant to the applied loading compared to human, demonstrated by a longer time-to-failure for the same applied stress. Optimization revealed that time-to-failure in human specimens was approximately 25% that of porcine specimens at a given applied stress within 0.65-2.38MPa. This study determined human and porcine lumbar endplate fracture risks in long-duration repeated flexion-compression that can be directly used for future equipment and vehicle design, injury prediction models, and safety standards. The interspecies scale factor produced in this study can be used for previous and future porcine lumbar injury studies to scale results to relevant human injury.

Reducing Drag by Optimizing the Underbody with Ride Height in Formula 1

This study investigates the aerodynamic interaction between wheel wakes and the underbody of Formula 1 cars, focusing on the effect of varying ride heights on drag reduction and ground effect optimization. With the reintroduction of ground effect principles in the 2022-2026 Formula 1 regulations, the potential for enhanced vehicle performance through improved aerodynamic design is significant. However, the efficiency of venturi tunnels, essential for generating effective downforce, is compromised by turbulent airflows produced by the wheels, known as wheel wakes. This research utilizes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to model these interactions at different ride heights, aiming to pinpoint optimal configurations that minimize aerodynamic drag while maximizing downforce. Initial findings suggest a delicate balance between ride height adjustment and tunnel geometry optimization, offering potential pathways to achieve aerodynamic efficiency in modern Formula 1 vehicles. This paper contributes to the evolving discourse on high-speed vehicle aerodynamics, providing insights that could inform future vehicle design and regulatory frameworks in motorsports.

GENDER AND AGE DIFFERENCES IN ACCEPTANCE OF ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS: INSIGHTS FROM OLDER AUSTRALIANS

Abstract Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are in-vehicle technologies that promise to improve driver safety and may help support older drivers to drive safer for longer, however there is little research examining acceptance and use of ADAS among older adults. This study investigated age and gender differences in attitudes to ADAS and use of ADAS. We conducted an online survey of 1330 drivers aged 65 years or older (M=72, SD=6.9, 23% women) in partnership with National Seniors Australia. ADAS use was self-reported, classifying respondents in to users (96%) and non-users (4%). ADAS acceptance was measured by the Partial Automation Acceptance Scale. Linear regression estimated gender and age differences in acceptance. Logistic regression estimated differences in ADAS use by gender, age and acceptance. Older age was associated with higher levels of trust in ADAS (β = 0.032, p = 0.04) and lower perceived ease of use (β = -0.02, p = 0.02). Women were less likely to report ADAS use (β = -0.99, p = 0.008) but had higher levels of trust (β = 0.86, p = 0.001) than men. After adjusting for age and gender, positive attitudes towards ADAS (β = 0.12, p = 0.003) and lower perceived risk (β = 0.22, p = 0.046) were associated with higher levels of ADAS use. Consideration of the gender and age differences may inform future vehicle design, and older drivers may benefit from education on the risks and benefits of ADAS to aid in the acceptance and consequent use of ADAS.

Indoor soundscape design of autonomous vehicles that comprehensively applies acoustic characteristics of architectural space type

According to the paradigm shift in the indoor space design of future autonomous vehicles, the indoor space of the vehicle was classified according to the purpose of use and the optimal soundscape design for each type was proposed. The vehicle selected for the measurement can be the basic type of future autonomous vehicles, a relatively wide van suitable for building space investigation, and the space target was selected as spaces for listening to music, working (meeting), and resting. Accordingly, for the soundscape design, an audible sound source was produced and used for evaluation by conducting a sound field survey and computer simulation inside the vehicle. The indoor soundscape of the vehicle was evaluated by providing binaural sound source in the auditory test environment. The evaluation indicators were selected based on the indoor soundscape parameters in the architectural spaces such as concert halls and office buildings.

Perception-based noise assessment of a future blended wing body aircraft concept using synthesized flyovers in an acoustic VR environment—The ARTEM study

New aircraft concepts are currently being developed with the goal of less emissions of CO2 and noise. Remarkable noise reductions in long-range aircraft can only be expected from disruptive vehicle designs, new propulsion systems and specific low-noise technologies. In this paper, one such future vehicle design, a blended wing body (BWB) long-range aircraft, is described and studied with respect to sound levels on the ground, sound characteristics and noise annoyance. Virtual flyovers of different vehicle variants were synthesized and auralized in an acoustic VR environment, and investigated through psychoacoustic laboratory experiments. The applied methodology was successfully hierarchically validated by comparison with measurements of existing jet aircraft, assessing acoustical indices, time-frequency features, perceived plausibility, and induced noise annoyance. The perception-based evaluation of the BWB revealed that, while the BWB aircraft may initially be perceived as somewhat more unfamiliar, they are substantially less annoying than current tube-and-wing long-range aircraft of similar range and mission for take-offs as well as for landings. For the best BWB variant, noise annoyance was reduced by 4.3 units for departures and by 3.5 units for approaches on the 11-point scale. The main reason for these findings seems to be the acoustic shielding by the body of the extended fuselage, which was found to be an important factor in reducing sound levels in the order of 10–20 dB, and accordingly also to strongly reduce loudness. Additional low noise technologies and geared turbofan engines with a high bypass ratio further contributed to the reduction of noise annoyance of the BWB. A large part of the BWBs benefit could be explained by its lower sound levels, but additional benefits were found. The observed reduction in noise annoyance was found to be larger than what can be explained with conventional noise metrics. This benefit is probably due to more favorable sound characteristics compared to today's reference aircraft, such as less variation in time and less audible tones. The current study thus suggests that the studied BWB vehicle concept may substantially reduce noise annoyance on humans.

The importance of dissimilar redundancy for safety in future space vehicle design

As the human space flight industry continues to expand at a rapid pace, the inherent risks of space travel remain unchanged. An emerging property in this new era is the increased use of performance-based requirements to minimize risks in lieu of heritage prescriptive requirements. One element of this new approach is a movement toward reliability and risk calculations in place of prescriptive failure tolerance and dissimilar redundancy requirements.This paper examines this new trend through the lens of historical lessons learned that drove failure tolerance and dissimilar redundancy in past human spaceflight programs. An important historical case to examine is the use of dissimilar redundancy in the design for the Apollo missions. There are two standout examples in the Apollo mission architecture: the Lunar Module (LM) lifeboat contingency and the abort scenarios during LM Descent and Landing (DL). Through these two examples we can understand how dissimilar redundancy was achieved to mitigate the risk of loss of crew, and the penalties that came along with these design decisions. We then compare these examples with new ideas about redundancy and established practices in other industries, like commercial aviation.Finally, we evaluate how these trades made in aeronautics can inform the next generation of designs in astronautics and how future programs can evaluate the added complexity and mass impacts of redundancy with the safety advantages that redundancy brings to modern spaceflight designs.

Difference analysis in terahertz wave propagation in thermochemical nonequilibrium plasma sheath under different hypersonic vehicle shapes

Research on terahertz communication under different vehicles has important guiding significance for the design of future hypersonic vehicle and Radio Frequency (RF) blackout. In this paper, a joint simulation model of plasma flow under thermochemical nonequilibrium state and terahertz transmission is developed to investigate the differences in terahertz wave transmission characteristics under different vehicle shapes and the related mechanisms. By comparing the plasma sheath characteristics and terahertz transmission among HIFIRE-5b (Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation-5b), RAM C(Radio Attenuation Measurement C) and ARD (Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator) vehicles, it is found that the sheath thickness and electron density of ARD vehicles is significantly larger than that of HIFIRE-5b and RAM C vehicles, resulting in greater terahertz wave attenuation. Collision absorption plays a major role in the terahertz attenuation of vehicles, and the contribution of reflection effects is only observed in the ARD vehicle due to its larger plasma sheath thickness and spatial structure variation. Based on the above comparison results, a shape design scheme of reducing the vehicle head and tail for mitigating RF blackout is proposed, and the scheme is proved by further analyzing the effects of different vehicle heads and tails on the terahertz communication. With the decrease of the head radius and tail width of hypersonic vehicle, the wave attenuation at the same terahertz frequency decreases, and the contribution of reflection effect to wave attenuation gradually disappears. Therefore, the shape design scheme of reducing the vehicle head and tail can effectively alleviate the RF blackout problem, which provides an important reference value for future hypersonic vehicle design.

Future transport vision propensity segments: A latent class analysis of autonomous taxi market

Autonomous vehicle (AV) is considered a promising mode of transport that has been tested and deployed in various cities worldwide. However, research on how AVs will transform the field of transportation has been hindered by the heavy reliance on attitude measurements and the need for responses from the public who can better represent the future. This study investigates the autonomous taxi market in Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China, where paid and publicly available autonomous taxi service has been in operation for more than a year. This study analyzes 1,158 responses from pioneering and prospective users of autonomous taxi service. Latent class analysis is used to segment autonomous taxi users into classes to reveal the differences in their views on the potential uses of AVs. This study identifies three latent classes: neutral and diverse travelers, conservative and strict travelers, and open and enjoying travelers. Results show that sociodemographic characteristics, household characteristics, and current travel behavior affect the class membership in various means. In addition, users’ perceptions of the benefits and risks of autonomous driving vary across different latent classes. Findings from this study will help improve the quality of autonomous taxi service by enabling customized service based on mobility propensities. This study will also provide insights to help with future vehicle design and transportation policy making.

Jet Flame Risk Analysis for Safe Response to Hydrogen Vehicle Accidents

With an increase in the use of eco-friendly vehicles such as hybrid, electric, and hydrogen vehicles in response to the global climate crisis, accidents related to these vehicles have also increased. Numerical analysis was performed to optimize the safety of first responders responding to hydrogen vehicle accidents wherein hydrogen jet flames occur. The influence range of the jet flame generated through a 1.8-mm-diameter nozzle was analyzed based on five discharge angles (90, 75, 60, 45, and 30°) between the road surface and the downward vertical. As the discharge angle decreases toward the road surface, the risk area that could cause damage moves from the center of the vehicle to the rear; at a discharge angle of 90°, the range above 9.5 kW/m2 was 1.59 m and 4.09 m to the front and rear of the vehicle, respectively. However, at a discharge angle of 30°, it was not generated at the front but was 10.39 m to the rear. In response to a hydrogen vehicle accident, first responders should perform rescue activities approaching from a diagonal direction to the vehicle front to minimize injury risk. This study can be used in future hydrogen vehicle design to develop the response strategy of the first responders.

Key factors associated with child occupants’ suboptimal head positions when travelling in child restraint systems: Results from a naturalistic driving study of children in cars

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to quantify the real-world, everyday travel behaviours of child vehicle occupants and associations with child restraint systems (CRS)/booster seat (BS) head positions that are suboptimal in terms of crash injury risk. MethodsThe data from a naturalistic driving study (NDS) provided 414 trips for analysis. Child occupant behaviour, head position within their forward-facing CRS (FFCRS) or BS and other relevant information was coded for nine discrete 5 s intervals or ‘epochs’ (5%, 17%, 25%, 30%, 50%, 53%, 75%, 89% & 95% of trip duration). A total of 2158 epochs were analysed. The relative contributions of factors of interest to suboptimal head position were explored through a generalised estimating equation (GEE), which accommodated correlation between measurement in each epoch for an individual child. ResultsThe GEE revealed that, when compared to child occupants travelling in a FFCRS, child occupants travelling in a BS were twice as likely to have a suboptimal head position. Child occupants were also nearly one and a half times more likely to have a suboptimal head position if they were in the older age range for the restraint type that they were using (FFCRS or BS), if they had incorrect shoulder belt/harness use, or if they were interacting with other vehicle occupants. In addition, when compared to engagement in conversation, children's engagement in a lap-based activity (including use of electronic devices, toys and reading) increased the odds of suboptimal head position by nearly two and half times,. ConclusionsThis study identified key factors associated with child occupants’ head positions when travelling in a CRS. These findings suggest that various head positions are adopted during everyday travel. Future restraint and vehicle designs that improve the ability of child occupant protection systems (CRS and vehicle-based devices) to safely accommodate a wide range of suboptimal head positions that were commonly observed during everyday travel are encouraged.

Do males and females prefer different non-driving related activities during automated driving?

We investigated gender differences in the willingness to use travel time for Non-Driving Related Tasks (NDRs) in conditionally automated vehicles (SAE Level 3) using a questionnaire study among 8,412 car-drivers in eight European countries (Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom), as part of the European L3Pilot project. Participants’ responses to what activities they would like to perform while the automated driving is activated were investigated. Results reveal that females were more willing to engage in NDRTs than males for nine out of 12 investigated activities. This study informs about gender differences in engagement with NDRTs which will help in policy development and future interior vehicle design to ensure that all potential users can benefit from AVs.

Multifunctional Hybrid Fiber Composites for Energy Transfer in Future Electric Vehicles.

Reducing the weight of electric conductors is an important task in the design of future electric air and ground vehicles. Fully electric aircraft, where high electric energies have to be distributed over significant distances, are a prime example. Multifunctional composite materials with both adequate structural and electrical properties are a promising approach to substituting conventional monofunctional components and achieving considerable mass reductions. In this paper, a hybrid multifunctional glass-fiber-reinforced composite containing quasi-endless aluminum fibers with a diameter of is proposed for electric energy transfer. In addition to characterizing the material’s behavior under static and fatigue loads, combined electrical-mechanical tests are conducted to prove the material’s capability of carrying electric current. Light microscopy, thermal imaging and potentiometry-based resistance characterization are used to investigate the damage behavior. It is found that a volume fraction of about work-hardened aluminum fibers does not affect the static fiber-parallel material properties significantly. Under transverse loading, however, the tensile strength is found to decrease by 17% due to the weak bonding of the aluminum fibers. The fiber-parallel fatigue strength of the multifunctional laminate containing work-hardened aluminum fibers is comparable to that of the reference material. In contrast, the integration of soft-annealed aluminum fibers decreases the tensile strength (−10%) and fatigue life (−21%). Concerning the electrical properties, electrical resistance is nearly unchanged until specimen rupture under quasi-static tensile loads, whereas under cyclic loading, it increases up to 60% within the last third of the fatigue life. Furthermore, the material’s capability of carrying currents up to 0.32 A/mm2 (current density of 4.5 A/mm2 in the aluminum phase) is proven. Under combined electrical-mechanical loads, a notable reduction in the fatigue life (−20%) is found at low fatigue loads, which is attributed to ohmic specimen heating. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study on the electrical and mechanical material properties and damage behavior of glass-fiber-reinforced composites containing aluminum fibers tested under combined electrical-mechanical loads.

Propeller Slipstream Effect on Aerodynamic Characteristics of Micro Air Vehicle at Low Reynolds Number

A numerical investigation on propeller-induced flow effects in tractor configurations on a Zimmerman wing-fuselage using the cambered thin airfoil is presented in this paper. The Reynolds number based on the mean aerodynamic chord was 1.3 × 105. Significant aerodynamic performance benefits could be found for a propeller in the tractor configuration. The numerical results showed that the propeller slipstream effect on the wings was highly dependent on the size of the propeller, and the major slipstream effect was working at 60% inboard wingspan, whereas less effects were observed towards the wingtip. The propeller slipstream increased the local angle of attack on the up-going blade side. This effect simultaneously augmented the section lift. The unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations helped to improve understanding of the interaction of the propeller wake and the wing-fuselage, which is an important aspect to guide the design of future efficient and controllable micro air vehicles. The results indicated that, in MAV designs, the slipstream from the propeller had a significant effect on the wing aerodynamics, regarding both performance and stability of the vehicle.

Non-Driving Related tasks and journey types for future autonomous vehicle owners

Highly automated vehicles (AVs) have the potential to improve the journey experience for all users by allowing them to partake in Non-Driving Related Tasks (NDRTs). Using a 42-question online survey of drivers (n = 1378, 59% males, 40% females), and in-depth interviews (n = 18, 56% males, 44% females), this study investigated NDRTs and the motivations for private ownership of highly automated vehicles (AVs). 42% of participants were identified to be more likely to own an AV and, believed that they were safer, would reduce congestion and the risk of accidents. There was also a genuine desire to actively fill the non-driving time being productive or using a device rather than passive tasks such as listening to music or watching their surroundings. Commuting was reported to be the most likely journey type amongst those more likely to own an AV. The commuting journey also showed the most diverse range of NDRTs including social (e.g., conversation, playing games), wellbeing (e.g., eating a meal, sleep), leisure (e.g., watching a video), and being productive (e.g., working on a laptop). This study provides insights into NDRTs to inform future interior vehicle design and motivations for owning highly automated vehicles.

Analysis and Prediction Model of Fuel Consumption and Carbon Dioxide Emissions of Light-Duty Vehicles

Due to the alarming rate of climate change, fuel consumption and emission estimates are critical in determining the effects of materials and stringent emission control strategies. In this research, an analytical and predictive study has been conducted using the Government of Canada dataset, containing 4973 light-duty vehicles observed from 2017 to 2021, delivering a comparative view of different brands and vehicle models by their fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Based on the findings of the statistical data analysis, this study makes evidence-based recommendations to both vehicle users and producers to reduce their environmental impacts. Additionally, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and various regression models have been built to estimate fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions for future vehicle designs. This study reveals that the Univariate Polynomial Regression model is the best model for predictions from one vehicle feature input, with up to 98.6% accuracy. Multiple Linear Regression and Multivariate Polynomial Regression are good models for predictions from multiple vehicle feature inputs, with approximately 75% accuracy. Convolutional Neural Network is also a promising method for prediction because of its stable and high accuracy of around 70%. The results contribute to the quantifying process of energy cost and air pollution caused by transportation, followed by proposing relevant recommendations for both vehicle users and producers. Future research should aim towards developing higher performance models and larger datasets for building APIs and applications.