Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB 
EXPERT: Driver assistance system to reduce the fuel consumption of trucks
With rising raw material prices and simultaneous growth in trade, it is becoming increasingly important to make the transport of people and goods profitable without putting too much strain on the environment. While the development of new environmentally friendly drive systems is being pushed forward, but is still partly in the basic research phase, it is already possible to reduce fuel consumption in any vehicle by driving in an environmentally friendly or fuel-saving manner. Due to their mass and long driving times, the potential savings from improved driving are particularly high, especially in the case of trucks. However, drivers usually do not know their vehicles and the topology of the driving route well enough to always use the optimal driving style.
Project goals
EXPERT is an EU-funded project with German and Spanish partners that aims to support drivers in driving in a fuel-efficient manner. To achieve this goal, a software module ("Driving Efficiency Module") is being developed in the MRD department of Fraunhofer IOSB. The structure is shown in the picture:
Project result
The "Driving Efficiency Module" will perform the following tasks in the overall system:
- Creation of an adaptive vehicle model that is able to adapt to the current vehicle in which it is currently used. By adapting the model, an improved accuracy can be achieved. In addition, the system becomes manufacturer-independent so that it can be used in different vehicles.
- Development of optimization algorithms to calculate fuel-saving driving instructions for the driver depending on the current situation. These should be easy for the driver to implement. At the same time, the driver remains in control of the vehicle at all times.
The necessary measurement information mainly comes from the CAN bus and is forwarded to the vehicle model and the optimization routine. The driving instructions are then transmitted to the driver via an HMI interface.