Shock absorber uses electrorheological fluid

Suspension systems are designed to control the ride and handling of vehicles for the comfort and safety of their passengers. A conventional passive suspension, consisting of a passive spring and damper, must compromise its ability to control a vehicle. An adaptive suspension uses a passive spring and an adjustable damper with 'slow' response to improve the control of ride and handling. The level of damping at all wheel positions can be selected by the driver, or it can be automatically tuned for variations in vehicle speed, steering angle, throttle position, brake pressure, and accelerometer signals. One means of achieving variable damping is the use of an electromechanical variable orifice to alter the flow resistance of a conventional hydraulic fluid.