The racing veteran will lead the development of an advanced steering control system for autonomous vehicles.
-
Canadian DTM champion Bruno Spengler joins Arnold NextG to develop autonomous control systems
-
NX NextMotion central control unit features advanced architecture for autonomous vehicle control
-
The Quebecer brings two decades of automobile racing expertise to the development of autonomous driving
Canadian racing champion Bruno Spengler has joined automotive technology company Arnold NextG to lead the development of autonomous driving systems. The 41-year-old Quebecer, a former DTM champion, will serve as both development driver and brand ambassador, focusing on the company’s advanced ride-by-wire technology program.
Advanced control systems at work
At the Nürburgring test center, Spengler works with the NX NextMotion central control unit, a sophisticated system that simultaneously manages all primary and secondary functions of the vehicle. The system records more than 200 parameters in real time during testing, including steering angle, lateral acceleration and brake pressure as vehicles travel around the circuit at speeds ranging from 250 km/h to 70 km /h.
This technology departs from conventional vehicle design by replacing traditional mechanical steering columns with digital control systems. NX NextMotion enables new interior configurations and enhanced safety features essential for Level 5 autonomous driving, where vehicles operate without human intervention.
“Our steer-by-wire technology is truly revolutionary,” said Kevin Arnold, founder and CEO of Arnold NextG. “With this innovation, we are breaking a 138-year-old mechanical dependence and paving the way for fully autonomous mobility. »
The system architecture supports multiple input devices, including remote controls, joysticks and steering wheels, while incorporating advanced force feedback technology. It includes predictive estimation of driving dynamics and optimized trajectory calculation for autonomous operation, supported by comprehensive system monitoring.
Spengler, who won the DTM championship in 2012 and represented Canada throughout his racing career, brings more than two decades of motorsport experience to the development process. “Working at Arnold NextG gives me the opportunity to take my passion for technology and innovation to the next level,” he said. “Steering by cable is the key to rethinking mobility.
The versatile system operates on both 12V and 24V platforms, with backup power supplies and integrated load management. This flexibility allows Arnold NextG to implement customized solutions across different vehicle platforms while maintaining its position as an independent developer and system provider in the autonomous vehicle industry.
Transforming the vehicle control systems of the future
In practical terms, the work of Arnold NextG, and several other companies, signifies a fundamental change in vehicle operations. Traditional cars rely on physical connections – a steering wheel mechanically connected to the wheels, much like the handlebars of a bicycle are connected to the front wheel. Arnold NextG replaces these mechanical connections with digital signals, in the same way that a modern video game controller sends commands to move characters on screen.
This transformation makes autonomous driving possible and allows the design of entirely new vehicles. Car interiors can be reimagined without the constraints of a steering column, and vehicles can be controlled remotely when needed.
For everyday drivers, this technology promises increased safety through more precise control and the ability to avoid common driving errors, while laying the foundation for future self-driving vehicles.
