CNXMotion, a JV of Nexteer and Continental, develops brake-to-steer technology

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Nexteer and Continental’s joint venture CNXMotion has developed Brake-to-Steer Technology. It offers driver safety through an additional layer of directional control for highly automated and autonomous vehicles.

Steering systems feature multiple protective layers in highly automated vehicle applications to ensure the steering safety net is always on.

In addition, BtS adds yet another layer by using the electronic brake system to safely steer the vehicle while simultaneously controlling its speed.

In a fully autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel present, BtS will negotiate a commanded path until a safe pull-over can be achieved.

Alan Davis, general manager of CNXMotion, said, “Perhaps the most critical challenge in highly automated and autonomous driving is ensuring the robustness of system redundancies to keep drivers, passengers and road users safe.”

He added: “CNXMotion’s Brake-to-Steer technology offers another steering safety layer for a wide range of automated driving conditions.”

Hiren Desai, Head of Strategy, Autonomous Mobility and Safety, Continental North America, said, “As we progress toward higher levels of automation in vehicles, secondary and tertiary redundancy becomes crucial in executing successful minimum risk maneuvers. This helps keep vehicle occupants and road users safe.”

He also said, “Cross-domain functionalities such as Brake-to-Steer are enabled by, and housed on, existing hardware, like Continental’s MKCx brake-by-wire systems, eliminating the need for additional, costly components.”

Cost-effective way

CNXMotion’s BtS technology offers a cost-effective way for automakers to achieve safety needs by leveraging the vehicle’s existing braking and steering systems.

The BtS function resides in the Motion Control System (MCS), which acts as an intermediary between the vehicle’s path planner (the automated driving system) and the actuators (steering, brakes and powertrain) to determine the best path forward.

Integrated with a Performance Manager, the vehicle’s intended path is compared to the system’s ability to steer the vehicle via BtS, while constantly negotiating the safest route ahead.

(With inputs from Automotive Lead Research Team)

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