Simulation and Validation of an 8 × 8 Scaled Electric Combat Vehicle

Abstract

In this research, an 8 × 8 scaled electric combat vehicle (SECV) is built. The scaled vehicle is evaluated in both experimental and simulated methods to analyze its performance. The scaled vehicle is developed to apply the Ackermann condition by implementing the individual steering and individual wheel speed control system at low speed. Individual eight-wheel rotational velocity control and individual eight-wheel steering angle control in real time are developed and installed on the remotely controlled scaled vehicle to meet a perfect Ackermann condition. Three different steering scenarios are developed and applied: a traditional steering scenario (first and second axle steering), fixed third axle steering scenario (first, second, and fourth axle steering), and all-wheel steering scenario. Stationary evaluation, turn radius evaluation, and double lane change evaluation are conducted to verify the application of the Ackermann condition. The differences between the experimental results and the simulated data are within an acceptable range. An important demonstration of this research is the novel validation of physical and simulated data in the application of the Ackermann condition for eight-wheel steering and velocity control for the three steering scenarios.