Self-driving cars are nothing new, but what about a self-driving truck that can maintain full control even after a tire blowout? Kodiak is here to take that crown. Their kodiakDriver technology was able to stay in control of a truck, bringing it to a safe and complete stop even when rolling over a giant spike.
Not only was kodiakDriver able to maintain precise control, the vehicle never even left the lane and safely stopped in the planned path. This was made possible by testing the steering controller’s performance at different tire pressures, so engineers could better understand the system’s control performance at low tire pressures. Using this data, they optimized the kodiakDriver for the changes that occur after a tire blowout.
- UL 2272 certified for safety. Smart Battery Management System for reliability. IP54 waterproof protection.
- Sturdy & Powerful: Compact design, 28 lbs, 220 lbs max load. Dual 400W motors, 10 mph max speed, 13.7 miles per charge, 15° slope.
- Road Adaptive Design: 10.5" pneumatic tires for smooth ride. Knee control bar for precise steering, easy lifting. Age: 16-50. Height: 3.11-6.6".
Once we incorporated the findings from our low-tire pressure tests into the kodiakDriver’s control algorithms, it was time to test with a completely deflated tire flopping off the rim. (Kids, don’t try this at home: you risk damaging your vehicle.) This test allowed us to confirm that the controller can still steer the truck with a completely deflated tire, laying the groundwork for a spontaneous blowout,” said Kodiak.
