Vehicle Dynamics, 14 DOF Model in Simscape Multibody™

Vehicle dynamics with Simscape Multibody

This example models a vehicle with heave and roll degrees of freedom for the front and rear axles. The driver inputs and scene where the vehicle is driving can be configured as you select one of the maneuvers.

The Simscape Multibody Tire Model is tested under various conditions:

• Step Steer Maneuver to test lateral dynamics
• Traversing a Plateau to test the effect of road slope
• Parking Lot Maneuver to test behavior at zero speed
• Slalom on a Hill to test behavior at low speed and in reverse
• Rough Road to show road definitions using surface data in MATLAB
• Icy Surface to test braking systems on surfaces with varying friction

Open the project file sm_vehicle_14dof.prj to get started.

Acknowledgements: MathWorks would like to thank M V Krishna Teja, PhD, Virtual Proving Ground and Simulation Lab, Raghupati Singhania Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras for providing the tire parameters for this example.

Use the "Download" button above to get files compatible with the latest release of MATLAB.

You can also test in MATLAB Online

For earlier MATLAB releases, use "Version History" tab above or these links:

• R2025b, R2025a, R2024b, R2024a, R2023b, R2023a, R2022b, R2022a

Screenshot of Animated Results

Simscape Model of Vehicle

Tire Model

To learn more about vehicle modeling and simulation with Simscape, please visit:

• Simscape Vehicle Templates

Learn how to use Simscape with

• Self-paced tutorials, including multi-domain systems, 3D mechanical systems, circuits, motors, and battery packs.
• Searching posts for the keyword "physical modeling".
• Stories from users: https://www.mathworks.com/solutions/physical-modeling.html

See also:

• Simscape™
• Simscape Battery™
• Simscape Driveline™
• Simscape Electrical™
• Simscape Fluids™
• Simscape Multibody™