SIAR Congress, CAR 2026

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Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Evaluation of an Active Sway Bar (BophaD) for Off-Road Vehicles
Moein Mehrtash, Kevin Liao, Kaiden Lau, Cameron Joseph

Last modified: 2026-05-11

Abstract


This paper presents the design, fabrication, and experimental evaluation of an active sway bar system for an off-road buggy aimed at improving lateral stability and reducing rollover risk during cornering. The proposed system integrates an electric motor within the sway bar assembly to actively modulate torsional stiffness in response to vehicle roll dynamics. Control inputs derived from roll displacement and lateral acceleration measurements enable real-time torque application, providing adaptive resistance to body roll.

To accommodate the geometric constraints of the buggy’s suspension system and limited ground clearance, a compact underbody assembly was developed. The sway bar and associated components were custom-fabricated in-house to meet both spatial and functional requirements.

The system’s performance was evaluated through controlled cornering experiments at constant speed and turn radius, with real-time acquisition of roll displacement and lateral acceleration data. Comparative analysis was conducted across three configurations: no sway bar, passive sway bar, and active sway bar. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the active system in enhancing vehicle stability and reducing body roll under dynamic conditions.

The proposed design offers a practical and adaptable solution for improving handling and safety in off-road vehicles, with potential for further refinement and integration into advanced vehicle control systems.