From concept to track: the story behind our steering actuator (PSA)
What does it take to develop a custom steering actuator for autonomous vehicles?
We’ve decided to take a step back in this blog post.
If you’re curious, then keep reading!
The beginning of the journey
Every great product has an interesting story and PSA‘s starts at the A2RL racetrack.
We proudly supplied our brake-by-wire and drive-by-wire systems for the A2RL racing series, in addition to our mid-level control unit.
While our existing products, the Corner Brake Actuator (CBA) and Body System Unit (BSU), were already part of our range, our mission was to develop a unique steering actuator tailored specifically for the demands of autonomous vehicles.
Imagine the excitement of race day. Every second counts, and precision is key.
To succeed in this fast-paced environment, we recognized the need for a steering actuator that delivers exceptional performance under pressure.
The development process
Our journey kicked off with an in-depth analysis of data from human-driven races, which gave us valuable insights for refining our steering actuator design.
We ran offline simulations to test its functionality, then moved on to extensive testing using our HiL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) rigs. This methodology allowed us to accurately evaluate every aspect of performance.
Finally, the real test came on the racetrack, where we validated the actuator’s performance in a live racing environment: it exceeded our expectations showcasing remarkable torque and speed.
This success validated our hard work and dedication to developing cutting-edge technology in the automotive industry.
“There is always a reason why you encounter such projects on your way. Sometimes you need them to face new challenges, other times they need you to come to light”
– Francesco Nannoni | Head of Mechanical Department at Meccanica 42
If you’re interested in diving deeper into this topic, we have written two additional posts that explore our role in this A2RL project.
You can find them here: