Analysis of Lateral and Longitudinal Control Modules in Autonomous EVs

[Technical Analysis] The autonomous driving lateral and longitudinal control modules are responsible for translating planning commands into actual vehicle actions.

Key Insight: The Control Module – The "Unsung Hero" of the Execution Layer

In mainstream modular autonomous driving architectures, lateral and longitudinal control sit at the end of the "perception-planning-control" loop, tasked with converting high-level path and speed plans into steering angle and throttle/brake signals. Although perception and planning receive more attention, control algorithms directly determine the vehicle’s smoothness, safety, and precision during operation.

Key Data: Three Mainstream Algorithms, Each with Strengths and Weaknesses

Commonly used control algorithms in engineering include PID (simple structure, fast response), LQR (optimizes weights, balances multiple objectives), and MPC (predictive horizon, strong constraint-handling capability). Mass production deployment requires balancing computational load, real-time performance, and robustness. Most automakers adopt a hybrid strategy to handle complex driving scenarios.