Audi Pikes Peak TTS

The Audi Pikes Peak TTS is nicknamed "Shelley" by the Stanford DDL after Michele Mouton, arguably the most successful female rally driver to date who played a significant part in Audi's racing history.

Goal
To collaborate with Stanford to build an autonomous vehicle capable of completing the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in a reasonable time using rally driving techniques.

Team:
Volkswagen Electronics Research Lab
Convert a vehicle to drive by wire, develop a safety architecture to ensure a reliable autonomous drive with no safety driver, and implement Stanford's control algorithms on a system jointly developed with Sun Microsystems.



Stanford Dynamics Design Lab
Develop robust control algorithms that enable the vehicle to drive at the limits of handling on a variety of surfaces, and lets it complete the Pikes Peak course.

Sun Microsystems
Specify a hardware platform that can run Stanford's real time algorithms and develop a framework that enables Real Time Java to the vehicle CAN system.

Vehicle:
Make and model: 2009 Audi TTS
Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged I4 DOHC
Transmission: 6-Speed S tronic automatic transmission
Fuel Consumption: City: 21 mpg
Highway: 29 mpg
Combined: 24
Power: 265 hp & 6000 rpm1
Torque: 258 lb-ft. @ 2500 – 5000 rpm
Top speed: 155 (249km/h),
Acceleration: 0-60mph: 4.9sec
Weight incl. sensor: ~ 1470kg.

Drive-By-Wire:
Steering: Modified "APA-BS" (Axially Parallel Actuation-Braun-Schweig), a new production electric power steering system with direct by-wire control through custom ERL Electronics.
Throttle: Electronics from VW ERL reproduce signals to emulate a driver pressing on the throttle.
Brakes: Active brake booster from Continental with by-wire control through ERL Electronics.
Gear: Modification of signals exchanged between transmission and gear shifter using custom ERL electronics on production hardware.
Parking brake: Use of stock electric parking brake from VW Passat through a custom ERL electronic interface utilized on Junior.

Safety:
In addition to multiple redundant systems for vehicle control, and emergency shutdown the Pikes Peak TTS has a Solaris based system running a Java RTS system monitor that can perform a vehicle shutdown if it determines conditions have become unsafe.

As a backup solution, the vehicle includes a telemetry system that can transmit all vehicle parameters to a receiving station up to 20 miles away which can also shut down the vehicle remotely, or order the safety systems to engage and bring the car to a controlled stop.

Sensors:
The Pikes Peak TTS utilizes an Applanix POS LV420 GPS and Inertial Measurement Unit to measure its position.

Vehicle Control:
Hardware:
Two independent systems are being used in the Pikes Peak TTS, the initial controller development is being done on an XPC target using Matlab and Simulink which are the standard research tools from Stanford's DDL. The final vehicle controls are being run on ruggedized custom built solutions running a Core2Duo CPU and Solaris operating system that is being developed in collaboration with Sun Microsystems.

Software:
The Stanford University Dynamics Design Lab is developing cutting edge control algorithms that look to optimize the ability to control the vehicle under the most demanding circumstances. As these algorithms are finalized they will be merged into a new framework being developed at the ERL based that shares many components with other ERL Autonomous driving projects.

Read the rest of this entry »

Audi releasing new low-cost 1.8 TFSI TT

Audi UK sold 100,845 cars in 2008, and this year it wants to sell even more. But how can the automaker pull that off in days like these? By putting its smaller 1.8-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine in the TT Roadster (since the Brits just looooove their convertibles), thereby creating a car that is more economical, environmentally friendly and, hopefully, almost as fun as its 2.0 TFSI brother.

The turbocharged and directly injected 1.8-litre TFSI unit is linked to a six-speed manual transmission launching the TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI to 62mph (100km/h) in 7.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph or 224km/h with a combined fuel consumption figure of 40.9mpg UK (6.9 lt/100km or 34.0mpg US), equating to CO3 output of 159g/km.

Read the rest of this entry »

Audi TT retail price start from $45,500

Recently, Audi has announced the retail price for the Audi TT and it will start from $45,500 for the Coupe model and $47,500 for the open-air Roadster. The TT-S joins the TT 2.0T and TT 3.2 in Audi's lineup, settling atop the range with a turbocharged, direct-inject 2.0L TFSI engine producing 265 hp @ 6,000 RPM and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's 15 more horsepower and 22 more lb-ft of torque than the TT with Audi's 3.2L V6.
The TT-S Coupe also manages to hit 60 mph in an impressive 4.9 seconds while achieving a combined fuel economy rating of 24 mpg. Top speed for both the Coupe and Roadster, however, will be electronically limited to 155 mph. For the drive train, the car is equipped with Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission, magnetic ride suspension and the brand's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system.

For those buyers who demand for more power, Audi TT-S is on its way. The TT-RS will pack a 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder producing 340 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, which will be mated to a six-speed manual and quattro all-wheel-drive. 0-60 times for the TT-RS are expected to drop even further down to 4.5 seconds.

Read the rest of this entry »