The general goal of the course is to enable students to learn the general method and the basic steps of the design of automatic control systems:

- Definition and discussion of a specific control problem

- Selection and location of sensors and actuators

- Development of a simplified (control-oriented) model of the system, aimed at the development and analysis of control algorithms,

- Identification of the model parameters from measurements on the system, and study of the dynamic characteristics of the model

- Design and analysis of control algorithms

- Implementation of the control algorithm

This approach will be learnt using a “case study” approach on a set of specific application cases. The application cases illustrated in the course are a set of important control problems in the field of vehicles-dynamics and energy-management.

Through the presentation and discussion of the case-studies, the students are expected to:

• Learn and understand how to design a control system for a set of specific applications in the field of vehicles-control systems
• Be able to use the control-design approach on in a wider range of applications
• Be able to critically analyze different design solutions
• Be able to communicate in a synthetic way a control-design solution for specific application cases
• Be able to read and understand industrial technical documentation or research papers

The course consists of several case studies of real, significant problems related to automation in transport systems and vehicles:

- Control of the vertical, roll and pitch dynamics through “intelligent” electronic suspensions systems (load-levelling, active semi-active suspensions, etc.)

- Control of the longitudinal dynamics during braking and acceleration (ABS, traction control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Control of longitudinal dynamics in Autonomous Vehicles)

- Control of the yaw dynamics (Stability Control Systems; Control of lateral dynamics in Autonomous Vehicles)

- Estimation of unknown variables using SW-sensing techniques (examples:  roll-angle in tilting vehicles; side-slip angle in cars; longitudinal slip; etc.)

- Basics of combined control of longitudinal dynamics and energy-management in Electric Vehicles

The course will also provide a general introduction to the main macro-tends of personal mobility, with the expected social and technological implications in the next decades.

• Basic concepts of dynamical systems theory (modelling and analysis of dynamical systems)
• Basic concepts of control-design theory

The exam will be a written test in one of the official available dates. The exam will consist of questions on the topics presented during the course. The final marks will be awarded based on correctness of the answers, appropriateness of technical terminology and clarity of exposition. Specifically, the students will be asked to:

• show their understanding of the main problems (and the corresponding solutions) in the field of control-systems design in vehicles;
• select and describe the most appropriate tools for a given application;
• be able to communicate in a mixed text, graphical and mathematical way the solution to a specific application problem (modelling or analysis or control problem).