The Imperium (Implementation of Powertrain Control for Economic, Low Real Driving Emissions and Fuel Consumption) project, comprising 17 industrial and academic partners, is to apply new means of predictive and comprehensive powertrain control, exploiting the maximum potential of the individual systems for each vehicle application and its mission in real time.
Within the initiative, Ricardo will evaluate simulation capability based on a bespoke version of its existing Ignite vehicle simulation tool. This has been enhanced through the incorporation of agent-based modeling approaches to simulate changes in driver behavior and traffic flows, thus providing a simulation environment that is capable of assessing the impact of dynamic eHorizon information.
Originally developed for research on passenger car applications, Ricardo is applying this advanced CAE technology for the first time in the heavy-duty truck sector as part of the Imperium project aimed at improving real-world truck fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions.
The simulation environment being used by Ricardo based on the Ignite package will be tested and validated against the baseline vehicle. Subsequently, Ricardo will assist in the development of truck models representing the advanced technology configurations of three Imperium demonstrator vehicles. Ultimately, this simulation technology will be available for the development of smart and adaptive truck powertrain control strategies.
April 21, 2017