An intelligent multiple-controller framework for the integrated control of autonomous vehicles

Abstract

This paper presents an intelligent multiple-controller framework for the integrated control of throttle, brake and steering subsystems of realistic validated nonlinear autonomous vehicles. In the developed multiple-controller framework, a fuzzy logic-based switching and tuning supervisor operates at the highest level of the system and makes a switching decision on the basis of the required performance measure, between an arbitrary number of adaptive controllers: in the current case, between a conventional Proportional-Integral- Derivative (PID) controller and a PID structure-based pole-zero placement controller. The fuzzy supervisor is also able to adaptively tune the parameters of the multiple controllers. Sample simulation results using a realistic autonomous vehicle model demonstrate the ability of the intelligent controller to both simultaneously track the desired throttle, braking force, and steering changes, whilst penalising excessive control actions - with significant potential implications for both fuel and emission economy. We conclude by demonstrating how this work has laid the foundation for ongoing neuro-biologically motivated algorithmic development of a more cognitively inspired multiple-controller framework. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.