WIPER FRICTION ESTIMATION FOR AUTOWIPER PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

Systems and methods for estimating wiper friction in a vehicle can include receiving, by a processor, sensor data indicating electrical power input to a wiper motor and a position of a wiper blade coupled to the wiper motor. Calculating, by the processor, an estimated wiper friction based on an energy balance model using the electrical power input and changes an energy of the wiper blade. Determining, by the processor, an average friction power loss over a defined calculation window of wiper blade movement. The method can also include providing, by the processor, the average friction power loss as an input to an automatic wiper control system.