Robot Driver
The Froude Hofmann automatic Robot Driver system utilises advanced technology and design techniques to meet the high demand of endurance testing with the precision of control for exhaust emission and performance testing.
The Robot Driver system provides automated control capability for driving vehicles on a chassis dynamometer in a variety of test applications. The modular design and use of carbon fibre materials ensures the robot is installed in the test vehicle extremely quickly. With an automated learn routine all the vehicle’s driving controls are learnt quickly and effectively. The sophisticated automation system can be fully integrated with our chassis dynamometer control system or as a “Stand Alone” unit providing the user with many benefits including:
- Rapid installation (3 mins) and auto learn
- Accurate and repeatable control of the drive cycle.
- Climatic (-40°C /+50°C) as standard
- Robot control system can also control a full chassis dynamometer providing cost effective upgrade solutions.
- Comprehensive scheduler creation software (drag & drop) for easy creation of drivecyles from simple to complex including calculations and conditional logic capability
- Operate under vDriver control providing r”Real World” driving situations and operation
The unit is designed for quick and simple installation using modular assembly and no requirement for fixing the actuators to the pedals, efficient pedal docking stations and minimal cabling. The robot can therefore be physically installed and set in position within three minutes. As a result of the Robot Driver’s control capability and flexibility, it provides a highly flexible test device to automate your testing requirements.
Features include:
- Vehicle seat mounted
- Automatic set-up with Autolearn gear and pedal positions
- Manual, automatic and semi-automatic gearboxes
- Left and right-hand drive vehicles
- Modular design for rapid installation
- Lightweight construction
- Advanced control algorithm design to provide high repeatability for emission development work
- Pedal actuator contact force measurement for automated set-up procedures and improved feedback
- A fully automated, intelligent programme to learn all the vehicle’s drive functions, including ignition key control and pushbutton start
- Sophisticated control techniques to provide a ‘human driver’ style for realistic testing.
- Full ‘journey simulation’ - using our complementary vDriver product
- Customer defined drive cycles using the sophisticated scheduler that includes conditional and logical loops, modular construction and arithmetic functions
- Regulatory pre-defined drive cycles
The Robot Driver can also be used to operate the vehicle in a variety of test applications including:
- Regulatory and development emission drive cycles
- Customer specific drive cycles
- Climatic / environmental (-40/+50°C) test applications
- NVH test applications
- Endurance / Mileage accumulation - fully integrated and automated test capability with airspeed fans, automatic fuel filling systems and data acquisition systems with safety and vehicle health monitoring.
- Powertrain testing
- General road simulation vehicle testing
- Transmission testing
Control may be ‘stand-alone’ or fully integrated with a chassis dynamometer system providing flexible solutions for various test situations. Pedal actuators are available for throttle, clutch and brake - manual, automatic or semi-automatic gearboxes and ignition key actuator. The sophisticated control algorithms ensure accurate control of gear engagement combined with sensitive clutch and throttle balance for optimum driving performance.
Fully automatic set-up capability provides auto-gear position, keyswitch learn, pedal positions and clutch bite point learn. The system has in-built safety protection and automatic emergency
shut down in event of vehicle or system fault.
Important features of the system include:
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Measurement and control of individual gear engagement force
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Gear change speed control
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Auto-learn gear positions
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Multiple gear configuration for left and right-hand drive vehicles
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Accommodates automatic, sequential and electronic clutchless systems
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Synchro protection logic
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No load once gear is selected
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Seamless integration with chassis dynamometer system
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Accurate repeatability to fully confirm with Euro IV/V and US drive cycles.
- Real time and historical data plotting package
- A drivers aid option allows either robot or human drive cycles from the same schedules.
- Integrated or stand alone control system
- Column shift gearbox actuator
