Renault on Advanced Suspension Systems

Automotive IQ interviewed Dr. Mouton Xavier, System Architect & Expert on Chassis Control & MultiSense from Renault, on extended suspension control logic with ADAS and connectivity. 

Q1. – What is your responsibility at Renault when it comes to suspension systems; please describe it in a few sentences, what are your daily tasks?

I am Expert and system architect  for MultiSens & Chassis Control. Starting for costumer needs  in term of sensation (feel safe, feel exited, fell kook) I decline in two directions, life on board to specify lighting, sound, HMI and motion control to specify appropriate motion to use cases (agile driving, working space, sleeping time).

I am responsible for both of system requirements gathering, system design architecture and system specification to other system & ECUs. I am also responsible of control command expertise  for motion control with multiple actuators (brake, Ev, rear steering, steer by wire). 

Q2. – Since your work relates to suspension control using ADAS sensing and connectivity. What possibilities are there in this area and what is already actively used? 

There is on the market  not much connection between ADAS & Suspension, because ADAS are not yet Autonomous Driving.  But with AD uses cases like working, watching Tv, sleeping, reading  suspension will be very important to create appropriate motion to circumstances (internal & external). 

Q3. – As with every new technology, there must be a lot of challenges here as well. What would you say are the open questions that need to be answered in this context?

What are the needs in term of comfort that could lead to develop new suspensions technologies?  Are they new needs? What are the technological trends ? It there new technologies that will more comprises? What are the limits of current technologies? How innovation will push the limits and offer opportunities for new motions? new usages? 

Q4. – With the vehicle being equipped with more and more sensors as we go direction autonomous drive (including data from other vehicles), what new opportunities will there arise to make suspension systems contribute more actively to the areas of control, safety and comfort? How will these new technologies be specifically used in the future? 

All answers are in identification of new customer needs and how new technologies will adapt suspension system to this new context.

Q5. – At the Advanced Suspension Systems Conference in Frankfurt this coming April, you will lead a round table session on the topic of Extended Suspension Control logic with ADAS and Connectivity. What will be the main point and questions you will be focusing on?

My point of interest are : 

• What are the new needs in terms of comfort  and safety?
• What are the technological innovation in suspension domain that will improve performance for more safety and comfort? 
• How new technologies (Big Data, AI, Connectivity (Car to car & Car to infrastructure)) will improve suspension system? 
• Road map of 1/ 2/ & 3/.