Arnold NextG Blogspot: Drive-by-Wire and Autonomous Driving – An Inseparable Symbiosis

The answer is both simple and radical: Drive-by-Wire is the prerequisite. Without this technology, any autonomous vehicle would remain paralyzed. Every decision made by the vehicle’s intelligence – whether to “stop,” “swerve,” or “overtake” – must be executed immediately, precisely, and redundantly safe.

The System Architecture of Autonomous Vehicles

An autonomous vehicle can be divided into three functional layers:

1. Perception – the senses
   Cameras, LiDAR, radar, and ultrasonic sensors capture the 360-degree environment, fused through multi-sensor fusion algorithms.
2. AI & AD-Stack – the brain

• Localization using GNSS/IMU and HD maps.
• Object classification via neural networks.
• Trajectory planning using Model Predictive Control (MPC).

[*]Drive-by-Wire – the body

• Execution of commands via Steer-, Brake-, and Throttle-by-Wire.
• Secondary functions such as indicators, lighting, horn, and parking brake are electronically controlled.

Without Layer 3, everything else remains theory. The most advanced algorithm is useless without a safe, reliable channel to the actuators. An autonomous vehicle without Drive-by-Wire is like a brain without muscles.

Why “Fail-Safe” Is Not Enough

Conventional systems are typically “fail-safe” – when an error occurs, they shut down. Autonomous driving requires more: it requires “fail-operational.”

• If one ECU or sensor fails, a backup seamlessly takes over – without loss of control.
• Communication is dual-redundant, using SAFE-CAN A/B or Automotive Ethernet.
• Actuators are redundant, equipped with isolated power supplies and watchdog functions.
• Commands are validated using 2oo3 logic – only when two out of three inputs agree is an action executed.

NX NextMotion delivers exactly this architecture: ASIL-D certified, SIL3 validated, and field-proven in real-world operation.

Application Scenarios: Where It Matters

• Friction detection on icy roads: Electronic control analyzes slip in real time, correcting through precise steering and brake interventions.
• Emergency evasive maneuvers at higher speeds: Redundant actuators respond within <10 ms, executing trajectory changes with stability.
• Precise stopping in urban traffic: Predictive algorithms and Drive-by-Wire ensure reproducible, legally compliant braking – even under high system load.

Only Drive-by-Wire ensures that such maneuvers are not only theoretically possible but also executed reliably, safely, and certifiably.

Conclusion

Drive-by-Wire is not an add-on – it is the essential bridge between AI decision-making and real-world vehicle dynamics.

With NX NextMotion, Arnold NextG provides a platform that:

• Seamlessly connects AI-based AD stacks with vehicle motion control,
• Meets the highest international safety standards (ISO 26262 ASIL D, ISO 21434, UNECE R79),
• And paves the way for scalable, safe, and inclusive autonomous mobility.

We control what moves.