The vibration control effectiveness for a vehicle using a controlled suspension system will outperform that of traditional passive suspension systems. The latter are limited with regard to their ability to adjust to varying road conditions, whereas the semi-active systems provide a higher flexibility and efficiency. This paper introduces a new approach for improving the ride comfort with regard to the semi-active suspension systems of vehicles by employing the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG)-based algorithm. The main objective of this research is to optimize the vertical control of a semi-active suspension system by using deep reinforcement learning (DRL), providing a dynamic, real-time adaptive solution to varying road conditions. By employing the DDPG-based algorithm, this paper addresses challenges such as continuous state spaces and action execution in semi-active suspension systems. The semi-active suspension system is modeled dynamically and its responses are evaluated across various road surfaces, including uneven and bump road conditions. The simulation results show that the DDPG-based suspension system significantly improves the suspension performance by reducing the vertical body acceleration, the suspension deflection, and the overall passenger discomfort in comparison with the passive suspension systems. The proposed approach features an excellent adaptability and efficiency in vehicle suspension control, highlighting the potential of AI in optimizing vehicle suspension systems for an enhanced ride comfort and stability.
*This article represents a continuation of the paper “Enhancement of Ride Comfort in Active Quarter-Car Suspension Systems using Model Predictive Control”, published in the International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology, vol. 9(4), 2025 pp. 157-166, https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech.1701968.
Quarter-car suspension, Semi-active suspension system, Car dynamics, DDPG, Deep reinforcement learning.
Nguyen Viet HUNG, Ciprian LUPU, Ngoc Thien TO, Duc Lich LUU, "Research on the DDPG Algorithm for a Semi-active Suspension System for Improving Vehicle Ride Comfort on Uneven Roads*", Studies in Informatics and Control, ISSN 1220-1766, vol. 35(1), pp. 57-66, 2026. https://doi.org/10.24846/v35i1y202605
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