SPECIAL SESSION #05

Mauro Velardocchia

Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy

• mauro.velardocchia@polito.it

Antonio Tota

Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy

• antonio.tota@polito.it

Enrico Galvagno

Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy

• enrico.galvagno@polito.it

Luca Dimauro

Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy

• luca.dimauro@polito.it

All-terrain vehicles and Unmanned Ground Vehicles are increasingly central to defence, security, emergency response, and operations in complex environments. Their effectiveness depends on the ability to ensure mobility, reliability, autonomy, and mission adaptability across highly variable terrains, weather conditions, and operational constraints.

This special session focuses on methodologies, models, tools, and experimental approaches aimed at optimising the performance of all-terrain and UGV platforms. Contributions may address vehicle dynamics, terrain–vehicle interaction, mobility prediction, energy efficiency, autonomous navigation, control strategies, testing procedures, digital twins, simulation-based design, and performance assessment in representative operational scenarios.

The session aims to bring together researchers, engineers, system developers, and defence stakeholders to discuss advanced methods for improving vehicle capability, robustness, and operational effectiveness. Particular attention will be given to multidisciplinary approaches including modelling, simulation, experimental validation, artificial intelligence, sensor integration, and mission-oriented optimisation.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Mobility modelling and terrain classification for off-road vehicles;
• Optimisation of UGV performance in unstructured environments;
• Vehicle–terrain interaction and terramechanics;
• Autonomous navigation and path planning for defence and security missions;
• Energy management and endurance optimisationv;
• Simulation, digital twins, and virtual testing methodologies;
• Experimental testing, validation, and performance benchmarking;
• Reliability, robustness, and resilience in harsh operational conditions;
• Human–machine cooperation and remote operation strategies;
• Mission-oriented design and evaluation of all-terrain platforms.

This special session welcomes both theoretical and applied contributions, with the objective of promoting innovative methodologies that enhance the design, deployment, and operational performance of all-terrain and unmanned ground vehicles in defence and security contexts.

Mauro Velardocchia is a Full Professor at the Politecnico di Torino, in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy where he is the coordinator of the Vehicle Dynamics Group.. His teaching and research activities focus on vehicle mechanics, vehicle dynamics, active safety systems, ADAS, off-road mobility, and powertrain technologies. Over his academic career, he has coordinated several research projects in collaboration with automotive companies and institutional partners. His work combines theoretical modelling, simulation, and experimental testing, with a strong focus on innovation in vehicle engineering and mobility systems.

Antonio Tota is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy where he is the member of the Vehicle Dynamics Group. He has 10 years of experience in vehicle dynamics and control.
His research is focused on vehicle dynamics, with implications in terms of performance, safety, comfort, and energy consumption. His main research topics include modelling, estimation and experimental assessment of vehicle dynamics, torque vectoring control for fully electric vehicles (FEVs), autonomous driving control design, transmission and brake systems for passenger cars and active safety systems. He is a participant and principal investigator in numerous European and industrial research projects.