ARISTOS Drive-System Assessment
ARISTOS Drive-System Assessment
For IKNOWHOW S.A., MD-Lab carried out a technical assessment of the drive system of the ARISTOS autonomous vehicle. The work focused on the chain-drive transmission, motor-reducer loading, bidirectional motion behavior and acoustic evidence of impact phenomena observed during changes of operating state.
Scope
The project scope was to assess the existing mechanical drive arrangement and identify targeted improvements that could be implemented with limited intervention to the current design. The evaluation addressed the chain-drive layout, sprocket and tensioner geometry, bearing support, motor-reducer loading and assembly conditions that influence preload, backlash and dynamic response.
MD-Lab’s Contribution
MD-Lab performed functional checks of the autonomous vehicle using manual remote control and representative operating scenarios, including straight motion, turning while moving and in-place rotation. The team reviewed the chain-drive design in CAD, examined the dynamic implications of the chain polygon effect, evaluated the transmission geometry and checked the suitability of key support and drive-unit elements.
The study also included acoustic measurements with dedicated sound-level equipment, comparing operating conditions on the ground, with the vehicle raised and during manual excitation of the wheel assembly. These measurements helped connect the observed impact-like behavior with mechanical sources such as transmission dynamics, support conditions and accumulated backlash.
The resulting technical report translated the inspection, calculations and measurements into practical recommendations for improving operational behavior, reducing dynamic excitation and supporting more reliable bidirectional motion of the ARISTOS platform.
This public version summarizes the engineering workflow only. Detailed dimensions, calculations, measured spectra, internal observations and confidential design recommendations are intentionally omitted.
