Robot driver for guidance of automatic durability road (ADR) test vehicles

Abstract

A robot driver system that controls passenger vehicles and trucks in automatic durability road tests is presented. The robot controls the vehicle's speed, gears and steering according to a durability test protocol. Durability testing can be harsh on test drivers, while requiring consistent driving patterns. Automating the test by using a robot driver eliminates the need for an on-board driver and provides better test control. Up to 20 vehicles can travel simultaneously along the track, increasing the efficiency of the facility and reducing the overall test time. The robots perform the mechanical operations normally done by the human driver, with no intervention in the vehicle's internal systems. A radio network provides communication between the vehicles and the base station, while a traffic control manager synchronizes the vehicles travel and transmits an updated path to each vehicle. The system has been successfully implemented and is operating at Chrysler Proofing Ground at Chelsea, Michigan.