Control strategy

Control strategies that boost performance, improve fuel economy and drive up efficiency.

Enabling improved fuel economy and performance

Control strategy is the key enabler for delivering fuel economy and performance improvements. We provide a control strategy development service bespoke to the requirements of our clients and their vehicle platforms.

Control Strategy

Projects

Traffic In A City Soft Focus Long Exposure

High voltage power electronics for busses of the future

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Nexperia Gan Inverter

Gallium nitride based EV inverter design

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Totalenergies Immersion Cooled Vehicle

Immersion cooled battery technology for electric vehicles

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Control and electronics

Modern propulsion systems increasingly require higher levels of electronic control to boost performance and improve fuel economy. We assist clients by providing control concept studies of system architecture, transmissions control unit hardware and sensor and actuator selection, based on an objective selection tool. We also develop high-level control and low-level driver software that is fully integrated into the vehicle - including hybrid technologies.

Control strategy is the key enabler for delivering fuel economy improvements and Ricardo has invested in developing the skills and expertise in these areas to provide world-class capability. Whilst new technologies may offer outstanding opportunities for large steps in CO2 emissions and performance, they have to be proven and accepted in the harsh automotive world. Ricardo have experience both with new technologies and also with many programs that are in or near production.

Transmission control strategies

Modern transmissions require increasing levels of electronic control and calibration to boost performance and fuel economy. Ricardo assists clients by providing complete “end to end” support for all aspects of transmission control system design, development and calibration. This support is based on a holistic system engineering approach where experienced Ricardo engineers offer industry expertise on activities such as bench-marking, target setting, system requirements, system and software architecture, control unit specification, sensor and actuator selection and model based software development.

Ricardo can provide this support across a complete range of market sectors including Sports Car, Passenger Car, Commercial Vehicles and Agricultural vehicles, and additionally across all transmission types – AMT, DCT, AT, DHT, CVT and electric drive units (EDU).

Control strategy Resources

How automotive digital engineering techniques are improving efficiency and performance and reducing risk, cost and time to market for energy transition solutions

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Cool runnings: improving the performance and efficiency of electrified transport

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Hazardous Materials Advisor - June 2025

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ChemUK 2025

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Meet the experts

Gareth Milton BW

Dr Gareth Milton

Global Head of Software, Control & Application Engineering

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Ty Kim (1)

Ty Kim

Head of Software and Digital

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Dave Read

Dave Read

Head of DTS

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James Inggall

James Inggall

Global Head of Design and Development

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