AI-supported control of BLDC motors for mobility aids (KIMobil)

Focus:	Talents
Type of funding:	Individual funding programmes
Programme:	CZS research boost
Funded institution:	Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jiayi Wang, Professor of Electrical Engineering/Power Electronics at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, is researching BLDC motors for mobility aids. These motors are to be controlled by AI in order to be individually adapted and more fault-tolerant.

Goals

So-called BLDC motors are already used in electric mobility aids for the healthcare sector, e.g. for pushing aids. They have a long service life, comparatively low costs and high efficiency. However, control is complex and requires special care. However, users with varying degrees of disability are dependent on the greatest possible safety even in the event of motor faults.

The "KIMobil" project aims to develop a new type of controller for BLDC motors in mobility aids that enables greater fault tolerance and customizability. To this end, neural networks (AI) are implemented on the controller and trained with error states in advance. Thanks to their high adaptability and learning ability, these offer a powerful solution for real-time fault diagnosis during operation. AI is designed to detect potential error states at an early stage and initiate appropriate countermeasures.

The collaboration between the healthcare sector and the engineering sciences holds enormous potential, resulting in points of contact in medical technology, drive technology and energy technology. This also strengthens the transfer of knowledge.