Multi-Purpose Autonomous Vehicle Design and Configuration for Control Applications
Francesco Borrelli, Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
This project involves working with an existing 1/10-scale autonomous vehicle platform to explore and operate in unknown and changing environments, including on sandy beaches or gravel. To optimize the vehicle for its environment, it is of interest to consider platform modularity and in-the-field morphability. The goal is to determine design modifications which require minimal additional resources, equipment, and can be implements by an individual in-the-field. The control of the modified platform is nontrivial due to unknown and changing configurations; to this end, students will explore these control challenges and work with graduate students in the lab on this problem.
Role: Students will work to identify relevant scenarios and environments which would necessitate modifying the design to optimize performance and subsequently demonstrate these modifications. Specifically, we are looking for students who are experienced and interested in mechatronics and mechanical design and implementing and testing controls algorithms on hardware.
Qualifications: Students must comfortable working with hardware, CAD, and Python. Prior experience with the Robot Operating System (ROS) is beneficial.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Fionna Kopp, Graduate Student
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Engineering, Design & Technologies