Patent ID: 7689392

Claim:
A simulation system for simulating operation of an automotive vehicle, particularly operating in at least one period of intentionally induced understeer, said simulation system comprising: (i) an input device for providing vehicle information and path information; and (ii) a controller coupled to said input device and operable to simulate said automotive vehicle using a vehicle computer model, wherein said controller is programmed to: (a) determine an initial steering wheel angle that is input to said vehicle computer model; (b) determine a new steering wheel angle, which is input to said vehicle computer model at a time later than said initial steering wheel angle, by comparing an intended vehicle path with a look ahead point on said intended vehicle path; (c) determine whether said vehicle computer model is understeering due to the front of said vehicle computer model plowing or slipping substantially forward by a predetermined vehicle response threshold in response to said new steering wheel angle; (d) when said vehicle computer model is determined to be understeering, operate said vehicle computer model with said initial steering wheel angle until a new steering wheel angle is determined such that said plowing or slipping substantially forward is thereby reduced; (e) when said plowing or slipping substantially forward is reduced by a new steering wheel angle, operate said vehicle computer model with said new steering wheel angle; and (f) generate an output in response to said vehicle computer model and said initial steering wheel angle or said new steering wheel angle.