“It is always possible to make things more complicated, but let’s keep it simple to start with..”

Igo Besselink is an Associate Professor and Chair of Vehicle Dynamics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His key area of expertise is Vehicle Dynamics: the analysis of road vehicle motions, vibrations and stability as a result of steering, driving, braking and external disturbances.Igo’s main research interests aredynamics of commercial vehicles, tire behavior and modeling, battery electric vehicles and vehicle control.  

Research focuses on simulation model development, to analyze and improve the performance of road vehicles. Validation of these models by means of experiments has a veryhigh priority and multiple test rigs and prototype vehicles are under active development in the Automotive Technology lab of the TU/e. Ultimately the aim is toward safe and efficient transport with minimized impact on the environment. Looking ahead, he aims to research autonomous operation of articulated commercial vehicles in confined areas (such as distribution centers).

Igo studied mechanical engineering at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and obtained his MSc(with credit) in the field of vehicle dynamics in 1990. Following this, he joined Fokker Aircraft, worked in the field of landing gear dynamics. In 1996, Igo joined TNO Automotive and was responsible for the development and implementation of the ‘Delft-Tyre’ simulation software and worked on a thesis on shimmy stability of aircraft main landing gears, which was completed in 2000. He received his PhD from TU Delft 2000. 

In 2002 Igo started working as a part-time lecturer in the field of vehicle dynamics at TU/e.He became aFull Time assistant professor in 2008 and was appointed as associate professor in 2016. Igo has supervised 6 PhD students and over 80 Master students. He is (co)-author of over 50 journal and conference publications combined. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of Vehicle System Dynamics.