Speakers: Prof Schalk Els, Andries Peenze and Christos Kapareliotis
Vehicle Dynamics Group, University of Pretoria, South Africa
March 10, 2026 | 11:00 EDT / 16:00 CET / 17:00 SAST/ 00:00 JST (next day)
REGISTRATION TO OPEN SOON
Off-road vehicles need high mobility on rough and soft terrains whilst maintaining terrain contact, traction, and occupant comfort. These requirements result in high ground clearance (center of mass height), large suspension travel, and soft suspension. These same parameters, required for off-road mobility is detrimental to high-speed driving on smoother terrains where handling and rollover stability are compromised. Addressing these issues requires a thorough understanding of tyre-terrain interaction, vehicle dynamics, and chassis control systems.
Constant radius test with soft suspension
The session will conclude with an update on the upcoming 56th Conference of the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems, October 11-15, 2026, Pretoria, South Africa, as well as an update on the ISTVS Student Competition.
Large tyre testing
S P E A K E R B I O
Schalk Els is a professor and leader of the Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG) at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and also the chair of the upcoming 56th Conference of the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems, October 11-15 2026, Pretoria, South Africa.
Andries Peenze is a PhD candidate, lecturer and researcher at the University of Pretoria’s Vehicle Dynamics Group. His research interests include Vehicle Dynamics and Control, specifically on high centre of mass off road vehicles.
Christos Kapareliotis is in the process of completing his masters’ degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Pretoria with the Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG). His masters focused on evaluating the performance of a high-centre-of-mass vehicle during combined braking and turning manoeuvres.
Certificate of Attendance provided on request: To request a Certificate of Attendance after attending the event, please email gs@istvs.org. Your attendance will be verified, and the certificate will be issued.