BME's revolutionary development could reduce accidents caused by skidding

The Vehicle Dynamics and Control research group at BME's Department of Automotive Engineering has developed a technology that can control a vehicle after having skidded. The significance of this innovation is that it allows the vehicle to remain controllable even beyond the traction limit, thereby preventing a significant proportion of skidding accidents. A single European patent was granted for the invention in the summer, and it will soon be registered in the United States as well.

The new system could be a breakthrough in vehicle safety as after taking control from the driver, it is able to steer with great precision while skidding. When the traditional electronic stability program (ESP) is no longer able to maintain control, this solution can avoid a collision by performing a drift maneuver.

In other words, 

it does not restore traction, but maintains controllability while skidding, thereby significantly increasing the number of available road variations.

"Skidding on ice, snow, wet or even dry surfaces is a critical traffic situation where it is essential to utilize the full physical capabilities of the vehicle and for the driver to make a series of correct decisions extremely quickly. However, the average driver often loses control of their vehicle in such situations. Tests have proven that this system is capable of surpassing even the driving skills of a professional driver," explains Zsolt Szalay, associate professor and head of the Department of Automotive Technology.

The system, developed within the framework of the National Laboratory for Autonomous Systems, can take a vehicle's mobility to new heights: manufacturers will be able to develop safer cars that behave in a controlled manner even in situations where accidents previously seemed inevitable. The technology, which is now protected by an EU patent, has a promising future in the industry, and its application could be another significant milestone in domestic industrial research.

Rector's Office, Communications Directorate