Case Study: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. achieves 50% faster controller development for adaptive cruise control with MathWorks (MATLAB & Simulink)

Hitachi Astemo Develops a Model Predictive Controller for Adaptive Cruise Control with Model-Based Design

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. faced the challenge of developing a high‑performance adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for stop‑and‑go traffic where a standard PID controller was inadequate. Concerned about MPC computational load on embedded targets and lengthy hand‑coding, the team used MathWorks tools—MATLAB, Simulink, Model Predictive Control Toolbox, and Embedded Coder—to design and validate a model predictive controller that meets strict timing and comfort requirements.

Using MathWorks’ Model‑Based Design flow, Hitachi modeled the MPC in Simulink, used S‑functions for a nonlinear plant model, tuned parameters through closed‑loop simulation, and generated optimized code (including a QP solver) with Embedded Coder for deployment on a 32‑bit microprocessor. The approach halved controller development time (about one year to six months), eliminated months of hand‑coding, produced more than 3,400 lines of optimized code, and significantly increased testing speed and efficiency while enabling on‑road validation.

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.

Taku Takahama

Senior Engineer