
Stringent emissions and fuel-consumption targets are the main reasons why most automakers have adopted energy-saving electric steering-assistance systems in most new vehicles. It didn’t take engineers long to exploit the capabilities of the system by calibrating clever control strategies. A system such as Servolectric developed by ZF Lenksysteme offers a host of assistance systems, including self-park (in conjunction with the park-assist function) and lane-keeping assist that applies steering torque to nudge the vehicle back into its lane and even provide a balancing-steer torque to counter cross winds or excessive road camber. Where the system really gets clever is in its ability to correct over-/understeer scenarios detected by the ESC by providing the driver with suitable steering recommendations.