Predictive estimation of the road-tire friction coefficient

The road-tire friction coefficient mu is as fundamental information for the algorithms dealing with the vehicle dynamics with high accuracy like in emergency cases. This paper introduces a new predictive methodology for the estimation of mu by using a camera and a microphone. After a description of the limits of the current methodologies, the new concept will be described step-by-step by following the data flow. The algorithm extracts the patterns corresponding of the different mu depending on the general luminance. These patterns will be matched on the current specimens to deduce the friction coefficient along the road ahead and a confidence value. Finally the results will be auto-correlated over the time to improve their stability. Moreover the reliability will be improved over a correlation with local measures based on microphone