Research Centre for Advanced By-Wire Technology (RABiT)

The Research Centre was formed in 2003 with the aid of a $4.7M grant from the State Government as a world-class cooperative facility for by-wire technology development and vehicle dynamics research. This technology, which replaces mechanical or hydraulic linkages with electronic connections between the driver and an electromechanical actuator, will have the benefit of allowing faster manufacturing, increased control, greater programmability and improved safety in future production vehicles.

RABiT is a joint venture between Pacifica Group Technologies and The University of Melbourne, with Swinburne also contributing in the human factors area. The Melbourne node is headed by Professor Malcolm Good, and involves other academic staff from departments including Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, as well as 7 postgraduate students and 2 Research Engineers.

Housed in a purpose-built secure laboratory, RABiT has assembled infrastructure for design, development and testing of by-wire components and embedded controllers, which is probably unsurpassed in the region. Although only recently established, the group has published 3 journal papers and 9 refereed conference papers, along with a Masters dissertation. From its initial focus on automotive applications, the group is now actively expanding into maritime and machine tool applications.

RABiT website here