Methods and systems to adjust underbody active surfaces

An automotive vehicle, comprising:

• a body having a lower surface;
• a plurality of vehicle wheels disposed at the lower surface, each respective wheel of the plurality of wheels having a respective contact surface for contacting a driving surface, an underbody space being defined between the contact surfaces and the lower surface of the body;
• a moveable underbody feature coupled to the lower surface and projecting into the underbody space, the moveable underbody feature having a first position and a second position, the first position presenting a deployed profile in the underbody space and the second position presenting a stowed profile in the underbody space, the second position distinct from the first position;
• at least one sensor configured to capture sensor data representing a vehicle environment;
• an actuator coupled to the moveable underbody feature and configured to drive the moveable underbody feature between the first position and the second position;
• and
• a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the actuator, the controller configured to analyze the sensor data for an environmental condition and, if the analyzed data includes the environmental condition, control the actuator to move the moveable underbody feature from the first position to the second position.

A method for controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a vehicle controller, sensor data representing a vehicle environment along a projected path of travel of the vehicle from at least one sensor;
• determining, by the vehicle controller, if the projected path of travel of the vehicle includes an obstacle;
• determining, by the vehicle controller, if an underbody component of the vehicle will impact the obstacle;
• and
• if the underbody component will impact the obstacle, generating, by the vehicle controller, a control signal to move the underbody component from a first position to a second position.