[23.12.2024]
In the world of modern technology, vehicles are no longer just a means of transportation but also zones of comfort where passengers expect the perfect combination of smooth movement, low noise levels, and a sense of stability. This is why the uSky Test & Certification Centre conducted unique trials of the innovative 25-seat autonomous electric vehicle on steel wheels – the uBus Carat – to evaluate ride comfort using both direct and indirect methods. Simultaneously, a mathematical model developed to predict these characteristics was tested.
Passengers with their eyes closed test comfort inside the uBus Carat:
assessment of subjective sensations
The tests of the suspended uBus had several goals at once:
Assess the comfort of movement – a key parameter that determines the attractiveness of a suspended electric vehicle for passengers.
Compare real dynamics with the results of the mathematical model – check how accurate and effective the predictive algorithms are.
Develop recommendations for further optimization of the design and control of the uBus Carat.
Determination of noise levels and localization of its sources inside
an innovative electric vehicle
During the first stage of testing, uSky Transport engineers used specialized equipment to measure the dynamic parameters of the uBus Carat. Accelerometers, gyroscopes, and vibration sensors recorded movement parameters: oscillation amplitudes when passing uneven surfaces, acceleration during speeding and braking, and ride smoothness. These data allowed an objective assessment of how well the unmanned rail electric vehicle on steel wheels meets modern comfort standards.
Equally important were the indirect methods based on passenger perception. Test participants were inside the vehicle during the tests and provided feedback, evaluating sensations of ride smoothness, noise levels, and comfort during support transitions. This feedback was then correlated with objective data to form a comprehensive assessment of ride comfort.
Vibration acceleration measurement to evaluate smoothness of movement
using high-precision sensors
uBus Carat is not just an innovative vehicle, but a symbol of what the transport of the future can be: comfortable, reliable and high-tech. And the tests at the uSky Test & Certification Centre have become an important step towards creating new standards for passenger transportation.
Testing continues and objective assessment of ride comfort and smoothness allows us to improve the ride characteristics of the uBus Carat to the highest level.