Enhancing Electric Ambulance Golf Cart Steering Control Through a Comparative Study of Fuzzy - PD Controller

Electric ambulance golf carts are crucial for effective mobility within healthcare institutions. This study assesses the efficacy of various control systems, including the PD controller, fuzzy controller, series fuzzy-PD controller, and parallel fuzzy-PD controller, in improving the steering control of these carts. The performance of each controller was evaluated by Simulink simulation testing at setpoints of 15 and 25 degrees, concentrating on characteristics such as rise time, settling time, and overshoot. The results demonstrate that fuzzy logic controllers outperformed conventional PD controllers, exhibiting quicker response times and reduced overshoot, particularly at a 15-degree setpoint. The fuzzy-PD controller demonstrated the most rapid rise and settling times compared to all other controllers. At a 25-degree setpoint, controller performance exhibited variability, with the fuzzy controller demonstrating a quicker rise time but an extended settling time relative to the series and parallel fuzzy-PD controllers. The study indicates that fuzzy logic controllers are promising for optimizing steering control in electric ambulance golf carts, highlighting the necessity for additional research to corroborate findings and create more efficient steering control systems to improve mobility and safety in medical settings.