Call for papers: Mechatronics for Ground Vehicle Autonomy: Modelling, Design and Control

Call for papers: Mechatronics for Ground Vehicle Autonomy: Modelling, Design and Control

A special issue of International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous Systems

Autonomy of unmanned ground vehicles to a large extent depends on dynamics and performance of the vehicles and results in the interaction between vehicle systems and terrain/surroundings. Therefore, we can speak of the systems’ influence on unmanned vehicle dynamics and performance and hence on the vehicle autonomy. Autonomously-operating systems of unmanned vehicles are classified here as mechatronic-type systems. This Special Issue concentrates on modelling and controlling the dynamics and performance of unmanned ground vehicles through modelling, designing and controlling their mechatronic systems to advance the level of vehicle autonomy.

Suitable topics include but are not limited to the following areas:

• Advanced analytical and adaptive dynamics methods in modelling unmanned vehicle dynamics and vehicle mechatronic systems
• Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of vehicle autonomy; vehicle system contribution
• Human factors in unmanned vehicle dynamics and vehicle autonomy
• Computational methods for unmanned vehicle dynamics analysis and development of open architecture software products
• Dynamics, design and control of modular/reconfigurable vehicles and systems
• Mobility and survivability of unmanned vehicles in uncertain terrain/surroundings
• Unmanned vehicle turnability and stability of motion: modeling and control
• Optimisation of unmanned vehicle dynamics and performance while fulfilling the mission tasks
• Uncertain and certain impacts and dynamic behavior of unmanned vehicles and systems
• Interaction between powertrain, chassis systems, navigation, vision/surrounding detection systems and unmanned vehicle mission fulfillment systems
• Vehicle mechanical design for mechatronics requirements

Although the focus is primarily on passenger vehicles, submissions dealing with commercial and military vehicles will also be considered.

Important Dates
Submission of full paper before: 15 May, 2009
Completion of first review: 1 September, 2009
Submission of revised paper: 15 October, 2009
Completion of final review: 15 November, 2009
Final paper due: 15 December, 2009