若問汽車消費者沃爾沃最大的賣點是什么，雖然聽起來有些奇怪，但最常見的回答竟是安全性。但沃爾沃正在迅速地調整姿態(tài)，希望呈現(xiàn)一幅更寬廣、更全面的先進技術應用圖景，其中包括自動駕駛和無人駕駛、底盤優(yōu)化和電氣化等技術。這樣做只有一個目的：擴大品牌的認知特點，提升品牌形象。
沃爾沃的電氣化項目非常廣泛。沃爾沃總裁兼CEO Håkan Samuelsson表示：“我們有信心在2020年前使電氣化汽車的銷量達到全球銷量的10%。”他指出，這也將是電動汽車技術從小眾領域上升為全球主流市場的時機。
沃爾沃選擇的路線是插電式混合動力汽車（PHEV），因為這種方案能夠很好地兼顧效率、里程和便捷程度。沃爾沃所有的車型系列都將采用這一技術。此外，沃爾沃正在研發(fā)一種“全新的電氣化小型汽車系列”和一款全電動汽車，有望于2019年上市。據(jù)稱，這款電動汽車的單次充電里程將達到500 km （311英里），這意味著它的日常實用程度很高，車主無需受到里程焦慮的困擾。
沃爾沃高級研發(fā)副總裁Peter Mertens博士進一步提到了投資方面的動機：“現(xiàn)在，電氣化的成本收益計算結果已經(jīng)轉負為正了。”
新一代XC90的PHEV版本便是這一研發(fā)項目的一部分，目前已經(jīng)更名為T8 Twin Engine（汽油機和電機），進入了一些國家的市場。新S90轎車也將推出PHEV版本，而60系列也將使用沃爾沃專為大型汽車研發(fā)的可擴展產品架構（SPA）。
對于體型較小的40系列，沃爾沃計劃推出全新的前輪驅動版和PHEV版，支撐該目標的技術是沃爾沃最新的緊湊型模塊架構（CMA）。這些車型將于2017年上市。此外，沃爾沃和吉利之間的平臺共享，也促進了研發(fā)新底盤的成本收益率的上升。
全新的主動安全控制策略
為了支持全新的底盤研發(fā)，沃爾沃安裝了一個名為DiM（運動中的駕駛員）的運動平臺，這個模擬器由VI-grade（一家全球性的工程模擬專業(yè)公司）設計，并由日本鷺宮制作所生產。這個全新的駕駛模擬器動態(tài)平臺已成為沃爾沃瑞典Torslanda工廠的交鑰匙解決方案，將用于新車型的測試、操縱和駕駛行為優(yōu)化、以及新的主動安全控制算法的測試。
有9個自由度級別的DiM平臺是專門為了發(fā)揮MotionCueing的優(yōu)勢，并配合VI-grade及其合作伙伴開發(fā)的其他軟件而設計的。
DiM概念可以延長運動包絡，并區(qū)分高低頻致動因素，因此這類運動平臺“獨一無二，而且汽車動態(tài)研究與駕駛研究均適用，” VI-grade表示。
這個模擬器可以對高速穩(wěn)定性、平衡性和個人駕駛模式的早期研發(fā)提供支持，不僅為設計概念階段的創(chuàng)新活動提供更大空間，而且還能縮短研發(fā)時間，這對沃爾沃的發(fā)展戰(zhàn)略非常重要。Mertens表示：“我們的目標是實現(xiàn)車輪的全面控制、高度的便捷和靈活性。我們將在沃爾沃的整個汽車系列中改善駕駛性能。”
在該項目進行的同時，沃爾沃也沒有放松不斷提高車輛安全性能的長期計劃，其中包括實現(xiàn)事故死亡率和嚴重事故率為零的目標。沃爾沃借用第三方統(tǒng)計數(shù)據(jù)稱，超過90%的致命事故都是由人為因素造成的，而且主要原因是駕駛員注意力分散。
沃爾沃期待自動駕駛（AD）技術可成為實現(xiàn)這一目標的有力支撐。為了強調這一理念的重要性，沃爾沃表示將努力實現(xiàn)駕駛員與車輛之間“安全且無縫的切換”。而人機界面（HMI）是所有新AD技術可靠性的基石，沃爾沃強調。
逐步實現(xiàn)IntelliSafe的生產
為了實現(xiàn)這一目標，沃爾沃研發(fā)了一個名為IntelliSafe Auto Pilot（自動駕駛）的系統(tǒng)。它的設計標準要求操作必須簡單直觀，因此自動模式的開啟和關閉是通過方向盤上的撥片完成的。這個撥片雖然很像換檔撥片，但無論在觸覺還是視覺上都有很大區(qū)別。搭載IntelliSafe Auto Pilot系統(tǒng)的沃爾沃車型可以自動識別出AD的指定路段，向駕駛員發(fā)送一條確認信息并開啟撥片上的閃燈。
接著駕駛員通過同時拉動撥片啟動AD，這時綠色的確認燈會亮起。AD模式結束前，駕駛員會聽到一段60秒的倒計時提示音。如果駕駛員不采取行動，那么車輛會自動停止。
主動安全的AD系統(tǒng)是專為警告并防止車輛事故而設計的，其中使用了雷達和視覺系統(tǒng)等多種傳感技術。第一輛采用IntelliSafe Auto Pilot的車型將是100 PHEV T8 Twin XC90，它將參加2017年瑞典哥德堡市的“自動駕駛Drive Me”項目。此前的Drive Me項目開始于2013年。
在Drive Me項目中，城市里的家庭用戶和通勤用戶不僅能在日常的駕駛條件下駕駛沃爾沃的自動駕駛車型，而且在一些總長為50公里（31英里）的特殊路段和加裝設備的路段上，這些車輛還能實現(xiàn)自動駕駛功能。
當IntelliSafe Auto Pilot完成研發(fā)，而且AD環(huán)境也建立之后，這一技術將在適用的車型上普及開來。“我們設計了一款使用安全、切換無縫的用戶界面，因此駕駛員可以大膽地切換并重新掌握對車輛的控制。”設計高級副總裁Thomas Ingenlath表示。
Drive Me項目的合作伙伴包括Autoliv、瑞典交通部、瑞典交通局、查爾莫斯工學院、林德霍爾姆工業(yè)園區(qū)和哥德堡市。
全新的LifePaint反光噴霧
受到IntelliSafe啟發(fā)，沃爾沃還在積極尋找其他的安全科技領域，但它的科技含量稍低一些。這個名為LifePaint的反光噴漆可反射車輛前大燈的亮光，在常規(guī)路段上提高騎車人的能見度。該噴霧是透明的，如有必要也能輕易地沖洗干凈。它可以用于衣服、鞋子、頭盔，以及兒童書包、狗繩和衣領等其他表面。該產品由瑞典的Albedo 100研發(fā)生產。
1959年，沃爾沃在120系列亞馬遜車型上推出三點式安全帶，標志著該公司正式踏入汽車安全系統(tǒng)領域。而沃爾沃在安全性方面的追求，一直延續(xù)至今。
作者：Stuart Birch
來源：SAE《汽車工程雜志》
原標題：Drive me, Paint me: Volvo accelerates its tech trajectory
翻譯：SAE上海辦公室
Drive me, paint me: Volvo accelerates its tech trajectory
Ask car buyers what they would list as Volvo’s distinguishing selling points and it’s odds-on that safety will still be at the top. But the company is rapidly moving towards a wider, holistic application of advanced technologies—automated and autonomous driving, chassis sophistication, and electrification—aimed at expanding the brand's attributes and reputation.
Volvo's electrification program is extensive. Håkan Samuelsson, the company's President and CEO, says: “We are confident that by 2020, 10% of Volvo’s global sales will be electrified cars.” He also asserts that it is time EV technology moved from a niche to a mainstream position in the global marketplace.
Volvo’s chosen route is via plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) solutions for the best combination of efficiency, range and convenience. The technology will be introduced across the model range. And the company is to develop what it terms an “entirely new range of electrified smaller cars,” plus a battery EV that is expected to be on sale in 2019. The new EV's range target on a single charge is believed to be 500 km (311 mi), taking it into the area of practical, everyday use without the burden of serious range anxiety.
Dr. Peter Mertens, the Senior VP for R&D, takes this investment focus further: “We have come to a point where the cost-versus-benefit calculation for electrification is now almost positive.”
A PHEV version of the latest generation XC90, part of the original development program, is now on sale in some markets as the T8 Twin Engine (gasoline and electric). The new S90 sedan will also be available as a PHEV, as will the 60 series using Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), created specifically for larger cars.
Volvo plans a new range of smaller 40 series models with front-drive and also offering PHEV, using the company’s latest Compact Modular Architecture (CMA). These will be introduced in 2017. Platform sharing between Volvo and Geely is part of the cost:benefit ratio of the latest chassis development.
New active-safety control strategies
To support its chassis development, Volvo has installed a VI-grade simulator. The motion platform, named DiM (Driver-in-Motion) was designed by VI-grade (a global engineering-simulation specialist) and engineered and manufactured bySaginomiya. The new dynamic platform for the driving simulator has been installed as a turn-key solution at Volvo’s Torslanda, Sweden facility where it will be used for testing and optimizing the handling and ride behavior of new vehicles as well as testing new control algorithms for active safety.
The nine degrees-of-freedom DiM platform has been designed to take advantage of VI-MotionCueing together with other software technology developed by VI-grade and its partners.
The DiM concept enables the extension of the motion envelope and the separation of low and high frequency contributions, which makes this type of motion platform "unique and suitable for both vehicle dynamics and ride studies,” according to VI-grade.
The simulator work will support early development of high speed stability, balance and individual drive mode settings. The system brings more scope to innovate at the design- concept stage and shorten development time, an important aspect of the company’s forward plans. Mertens states: “Our aim is to deliver full control, ease and dexterity at the wheel. We will improve drivability across the entire Volvo Cars’ range.”
But while this work progresses, Volvo is certainly not easing up on its enduring campaign to continually enhance already very high levels of safety in its cars, including achieving zero deaths or serious injuries of occupants. Volvo quotes independent statistics showing that more than 90% of all fatal accidents are believed to be caused by human error, typically due to inattention.
Autonomous driving (AD) is expected to be a strong element in supporting this aim. Particularly important in assuring this, is what Volvo terms the achievement of “a safe and seamless handover” of control between driver and car. Human machine interface (HMI) is a cornerstone of any new trustworthy AD technology, stresses the company.
Pushing IntelliSafe towards production
To achieve this, Volvo has devised a system called IntelliSafe Auto Pilot. Design criteria included simple and intuitive operation, so autonomous mode is activated and deactivated via steering wheel-mounted paddles, similar but haptically and optically different from gearshift paddles. A Volvo with IntelliSafe Auto Pilot would automatically recognize a road designated for AD, send an affirmative message to the driver and flash lights on the paddles.
The driver then activates AD by pulling on the paddles simultaneously, illuminating confirmatory green lights. Towards the end of the AD section, a 60-s countdown alert is displayed to the driver. If no driver action is taken the car will automatically come to a halt.
AD systems for active safety are designed to detect and warn and/or prevent car accidents by using different sensor technologies such as radar and vision systems, states Volvo. IntelliSafe Auto Pilot will initially be fitted to 100 PHEV T8 Twin XC90s participating in the AD “Drive Me” project in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2017. Drive Me was started in 2013.
Drive Me will make the self-driving Volvos available to families and commuters around the city for use in everyday driving conditions but with the facility for the cars to be driven autonomously on some 50 km (31 mi) of specified and equipped roads.
When development is complete and an AD environment established, IntelliSafe Auto Pilot will be introduced for general availability in suitably equipped cars. “We have designed a user interface that is safe and seamless to use so that drivers can confidently transfer and regain control of the car," explained Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design.
Other partners involved in the Drive Me project include Autoliv, Swedish Transport Administration, Swedish Transport Agency, Chalmers University, Lindholmen Science Park, and the City of Gothenburg.
New LifePaint reflective spray
Volvo is also looking to another rather less technology intensive area inspired by IntelliSafe to bring added safety. Called LifePaint, it is a reflective illuminating spray reacting to vehicle headlights, applied particularly to increase the visibility of cyclists using regular roads. The spray is transparent and when necessary easily washed from surfaces. It can be applied to clothes, shoes and helmets together with other surfaces such as children’s backpacks, and dog leads and collars. It is made by the Swedish company, Albedo 100.
All this is a long way from Volvo’s 3-point seatbelt, first fitted as standard to the 120 series Amazon in 1959, that marked the company’s entrée into the world of automotive safety systems.
Author: Stuart Birch
Source: SAE Automotive Engineering Magazine
CEO H?kan Samuelsson表示2020年前推出的沃爾沃車型中將有10%實現(xiàn)電氣化。
沃爾沃研發(fā)主管Peter Mertens表示，電氣化的成本收益率“現(xiàn)在是正數(shù)”。
沃爾沃正在努力通過一個高度精致的VI-grade模擬器實現(xiàn)其技術目標；圖為Driver-in-Motion系統(tǒng)和控制室。
沃爾沃CMA底盤上的雙引擎配置。
一輛載有自動駕駛系統(tǒng)的沃爾沃車型的儀表板上顯示出全新的圖樣設計。