Abstract: Methods are provided for dynamically improving driving performance of a moving vehicle that is traversing a land surface using a flywheel, an active element, and a controller. The controller predicts the directional change of the moving vehicle, detects initiation of the predicted directional change of the moving vehicle, determines or estimates an incremental directional change of the moving vehicle that is currently needed to navigate a portion of the predicted directional change, and controls the active element to slow down or further spin up the flywheel to reduce traction that is needed between the wheels of the vehicle and the land surface to navigate the determined incremental directional change of the moving vehicle. The flywheel is maintained in a fixed orientation with respect to the body of the moving vehicle during the spinning up or slowing down of the flywheel.

Abstract: Tire traction is dynamically increased in a vehicle by performing a sequence of steps. The vehicle includes a controllable suspension having a damper, a spring, and an active element, a suspension controller, and a controllable aerodynamic element. The body of the vehicle is positioned at a level which allows for a predetermined amount of upward suspension travel. The suspension controller receives a trigger after the body of the vehicle is positioned at a level which allows for a predetermined amount of upward suspension travel. The suspension controller generates a first control signal upon receipt of the trigger. The first control signal is sent to the active element to generate the positive impulse. The positive impulse causes application of force to the wheel of the vehicle in a downward direction, thereby dynamically increasing tire traction.

Abstract: Tire traction is dynamically increased in a vehicle by performing a sequence of steps. First, a center of mass of the body of the vehicle is raised by a predetermined amount above a base level by using an active element of a controllable suspension to generate the positive forces in response to a first signal from a suspension controller. Second, the suspension controller receives a trigger after the center of mass of the body of the vehicle is raised by the predetermined amount above the base level. Third, at least some of the generated positive forces of the active element are removed upon receipt of the trigger in response to a second signal from the suspension controller. The removal of the at least some of the generated positive forces of the active element results in the center of mass of the body of the vehicle dropping back towards the base level and increasing a load on the controllable suspension, thereby dynamically increasing tire traction.