Session: AVT-01-01: Advances in Ground Vehicles Dynamics and Controls

Paper Number: 143456

143456 - Advancing Ground Vehicle Dynamics: Dynamic Morphing Technology Integration and Analysis for the Autonomous Utility Truck in High-Crosswind Conditions 

Initially pioneered in aircraft design to optimize maneuverability and aerodynamic efficiency, dynamic morphing technology is now revolutionized in ground vehicles to address the stability and maneuverability challenges. Inspired by the success of morphing solutions in aviation and a few other ground vehicles, this paper dynamically analyzes a novel approach that the authors proposed previously in their published work to advance ground vehicle dynamics by integrating dynamic morphing technology into utility trucks equipped with robotic manipulator boom equipment and to manage their traction capability and the stability during the motion under high-crosswind conditions. This paper aims to optimize the tire-road/terrain contact by dynamically adjusting the truck’s shape through coordinated movements of the boom equipment and mitigate the adverse effects of crosswinds on vehicle dynamics. We dynamically analyzed three orientations of the morphing boom equipment using advanced modeling techniques and simulation studies. We compared them with the baseline configuration to demonstrate the effectiveness of morphing technology integration and its impact on the truck’s traction performance in high-crosswind conditions. Utility trucks can achieve traction and stability by optimizing the distribution of the truck’s weight and aerodynamic forces and moments, thus improving safety and performance in challenging environments.  

Keywords: Dynamic Morphing Technology, Autonomous Utility Truck, Dynamic Analysis, High-Crosswinds, Aerodynamics, Safety and Stability, Boom Equipment.

Presenting Author: Parth Y. Patel Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Presenting Author Biography: Parth Y. Patel received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2023 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and now he's working as a research engineer at the Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Authors:

Parth Y. Patel Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Roy Koomullil University of Alabama at Birmingham
Siyuan Zhang Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Moradi Lee Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Vladimir Vantsevich Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute