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  • Zhenzhao Zhang, Jian Gao, Kuo Yan, Lien Wan, Changhe Xu, Fabing Li
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (6): 37-42.

    For the response delay and insufficient robustness of the anti-lock braking control in commercial vehicle Electromechanical Braking (EMB) systems, an anti-lock braking sliding mode control algorithm based on a triple closed-loop structure of braking motor clamping force, rotational speed, and current is proposed. A single-wheel vehicle dynamics model and an EMB actuator model are established, and a sliding mode controller is designed to track the target slip ratio in real time. In TruckSim/MATLAB co-simulation, the slip ratio is stably regulated around the target value, with small wheel-speed fluctuations and good braking consistency. Furthermore, a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test bench is developed, in which the ABS sliding mode controller and the EMB braking motor controller are implemented in a rapid prototyping unit and a motor control board, respectively. The experimental results show that the slip ratio can effectively track the target value and meet the ABS control performance requirements, thereby validating the effectiveness and engineering feasibility of the proposed control strategy in both simulation and HIL testing.

  • Qiong Guo, Yuming Peng, Fan Chen
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (6): 43-48.

    To investigate the jerk issue caused by mode transitions in hybrid electric vehicles under different clutch control and energy management strategies, a typical P2+Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) architecture is selected as the research object. A clutch fuzzy control strategy and an active mode transition optimization control strategy are designed based on the MATLAB/Simulink and AVL Cruise M co-simulation platform. The results indicate that the vehicle model utilizing the clutch fuzzy control strategy achieves superior driving smoothness while maintaining excellent dynamic performance. Furthermore, the active mode transition optimization strategy reduces the mode switching frequency by 25.66%, with only a marginal 0.97% increase in equivalent fuel consumption compared to the conventional rule-based energy management strategy. This approach successfully balances driving smoothness and fuel economy while meeting the dynamic performance requirements.

  • Yao Wang, Wenjing Bai, Shikang Pei, Wenbo Zhao, Yueyun Xu
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (5): 1-19.

    This paper systematically reviews the developmental trajectory of autonomous driving systems from the 1920s to 2024, analyzing four key phases's characteristics—technological origins and infancy, theoretical foundations and exploration, practical breakthroughs, and rapid development with paradigm shifts. It focuses on the modular "perception-decision-control" driving, the end-to-end driving and the synergy and competition within the vehicle-road-cloud collaborative. Research indicates that the current autonomous driving landscape exhibits a "dual-track development pattern dominated by modular driving yet driven by end-to-end driving breakthroughs", where data closed-loops and vehicle-road-cloud integration serve as critical pathways to address long-tail scenarios and enhance system generalization. However, insufficient data quality, lack of algorithmic interpretability, surging computational demands and policy adaptation delays remain the main challenges. Predictions suggest that advancements in large model-powered cognitive reasoning, neuro-symbolic hybrid architectures, lightweight deployment, and deep vehicle-road-cloud collaboration will propel autonomous driving toward a safer, more efficient, and inclusive intelligent mobility ecosystem. This study provides a systematic reference for understanding the technological landscape, optimizing development strategies, and formulating industry policies.

  • Yatao Yu, Hongrui Zhai
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (5): 20-25.

    To address the issue that existing point cloud-based 3D object detection algorithms perform poorly on small object detection, a PointPillars 3D object detection algorithm based on an attention mechanism is proposed on the basis of the traditional PointPillars model. Firstly, the pillar feature network in the PointPillars model is improved by introducing a set of Efficient Channel Attention (ECA) mechanisms in the encoding network, allowing each Pillar module to better consider its local detailed geometric information, thereby significantly enhancing the feature representation capability of each Pillar module. Secondly, a Shuffle Attention module is introduced into the 2D convolutional downsampling module of the backbone network. By improving the diversity and effectiveness of feature representation, the model network focuses on important features while suppressing less important or redundant features, significantly enhancing the algorithm's feature extraction ability. Test results on the KITTI dataset show that the improved algorithm improves the 3D pedestrian detection accuracy by 4.04 percentage points, 3.43 percentage points and 1.93 percentage points for easy, moderate, and hard difficulties, respectively, significantly outperforming the original PointPillars network and enhancing the performance of small pedestrian object detection.

  • Xinguang Yang, Konghui Guo
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (5): 26-33.

    To address the limitations of traditional lane-keeping methods that rely on high-fidelity models and significant computational burden, this paper proposes a lane-keeping assist strategy based on the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm. The proposed system integrates vehicle dynamics models with a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) framework. Furthermore, a specialized reward function considering both task completion and lateral error is designed to optimize training convergence speed and tracking accuracy, thereby achieving more precise and efficient performance across various curve scenarios. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the proposed strategy yields significantly smaller lateral errors compared to the traditional Model Predictive Control (MPC) method. Specifically, the Mean Absolute Lateral Error (MALE) is reduced by 42%~72% compared to MPC, highlighting the potential of DRL in lane-keeping tasks.

  • Maojie Zhao, Bin Lu, Bing He, Deng Pan, Yingbo Li, Lipeng Cao
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (5): 34-41.

    To improve the accuracy and stability of trajectory tracking control for intelligent vehicle, the paper presents an extension coordinated control approach that simultaneously improves tracking performance and maintains yaw stability in the presence of model uncertainty. In the upper layer, the real-time vehicle driving state is mapped to the extension set based on extension theory, where the control mode and weight distribution are determined according to the correlation function. The lower layer considers modeling errors and utilizes a trajectory tracking controller that integrates an Extended State Observer (ESO) with Model Predictive Control (MPC) to compute the front wheel steering angle control input. The Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) theory is employed to formulate a Direct Yaw Moment Controller (DYC), calculating the corresponding wheel braking torque according to the desired yaw rate. Simulation results validate that the improved tracking performance and stability using the proposed approach.

  • Zhen Fan, Bangbei Tang, Yan Li, Bingjie Luo, Huoping Lu
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (5): 42-48.

    To address the issue of motion sickness among passengers in autonomous driving scenarios, which significantly compromises the travel experience, this study proposes an olfactory and auditory mitigation method based on EEG analysis. Using mint gas and alpha brainwave music as stimuli, an autonomous driving environment is constructed via a driving simulation platform. EEG signals are collected from 30 participants, and three motion sickness mitigation protocols (auditory, olfactory, and combined auditory-olfactory) are designed. Combining temporal and frequency domain features (mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, power spectral density) from EEG signals with classification algorithms, an EEG-based motion sickness recognition model is developed. This model is then used to evaluate the efficacy of the three approaches in alleviating motion sickness. Results indicate: The auditory & olfactory protocol demonstrated the highest efficacy, reducing Relief Index (RI) by an average of 58%. The olfactory-only protocol showed moderate efficacy, reducing RI by an average of 35%. The auditory-only protocol exhibited the lowest efficacy, reducing RI by an average of 21%.

  • Xingcheng Liao, Anlin Shen, Daokuan Jiao, Pengfei Ma, Xiaorong Huang, Xiaohua Wu
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (4): 1-9.

    First, this paper summarizes and analyzes the key technologies and development status of different bipolar plate stacks. Secondly, the performance evaluation standards and durability evaluation methods of the stack are sorted out, and the condition test methods of current standards and universities are summarized and analyzed. Finally, the development of stack technology and performance evaluation methods are summarized and prospected, and ideas and suggestions are put forward for the essential technology research and evaluation methods of stack.

  • Shupeng Wu, Huangjun Lü, Zhaowei Zeng, Xiaohua Wu
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (4): 10-18.

    Firstly, the paper introduces the composition and working principle of the cathode air supply system for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), special requirements of fuel cells for centrifugal air compressors and the anti-surge strategies. Secondly, the current research status of modeling and control of the cathode air supply system is analyzed. Finally, based on the relevant research results, the paper summaries the key technologies that must be achieved for the use of air compressors in fuel cells, the research direction of anti-surge of air compressors, as well as the research direction and development prospects of modeling and control of the cathode air supply system for PEMFC.

  • Gang Zhu, Pengfei Ma
    Automotive Engineer. 2026, (4): 19-28.

    The paper firstly examines the degradation mechanisms of membrane electrode assemblies and bipolar plates (mainly including the mechanical, thermal and chemical degradation of proton exchange membranes), platinum dissolution and carbon support corrosion within the catalyst layer, carbon corrosion in the gas diffusion layer as well as the sealing integrity and corrosion resistance of bipolar plates. Subsequently, current durability evaluation methodologies for individual components are reviewed in light of their respective degradation mechanisms. It is identified that existing evaluation approaches exhibit significant variations in test conditions, performance metrics and aging protocols, leading to challenges such as lack of standardized criteria, limited test coverage and poor correlation with real-world operating conditions. Finally, drawing upon the understanding of component-specific degradation behaviors and the state of the art in evaluation techniques, it is proposed that the development of a systematic, accelerated and operationally representative durability testing framework represents a critical direction for future research and industrial advancement.