Objective Evaluation of Electric Power Steering Steering Feel

Based on the electric power steering (EPS) system, subjective evaluation tests of complete vehicle steering feel are carried out. The steering feel objective evaluation indexes such as steering portability, returnability, middle position steering and lane change steering are analyzed respectively. As there is no direct corresponding relation between a single index and the driver's whole steering feel, the principal component analysis (PCA) method is chosen to obtain uncorrelated objective comprehensive evaluation indices, the subjective steering feel is quantified to objective evaluation index value. The objective evaluation index is validated by drivers'subjective evaluation. The objective indices make it possible to benchmark EPS steering feel characteristics entirely and improve the prediction in EPS design.