Tag: RC Vehicle System Test Bed

RC Vehicle System Test Bed: Final test!

The RC-VSTB is ready for its final test: during the five hours of testing, the team stressed the RC-VSTB with a series of obstacle displacements and dimensions, taking notes of all errors for future improvements. This final test was successfully completed. Even if the work on the RC-VSTB could continue further, adding features and improving the autonomous driving algorithm, the team decided to start focussing on designing the actual Mimas Rover.

  • [Hours of work: 5h]
  • [People involved: Giorgio, Akshit]

RC-VSTB, Obstacle avoidance algorithm optimization.

The team met up in room B60 at Merchiston Campus (Edinburgh), the laboratory for AC current to work on a full draft of the obstacle avoidance algorithm. We received some spare parts from other students' projects from a lecturer: we hope we might be able to give them a new life in our final project. RC-VSTB cable management has been fixed, even if there is still plenty of space for further improvements.

  • [Hours of work: 8h]
  • [People involved: Giorgio, Akshit]

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RC-VSTB, driving with the top down!

It's time for a second test of the RC-VSTB! This time it drove at full speed in the Orwell Terrace courtyard, steering without issues, controlled by SSH connection. All onboard systems worked as predicted and the test was successfully completed! Despite its similarity with a cabriolet car makes it look very nice, keeping all circuits exposed during outdoor tests might represent a potential hazard: so, a rearrangement of circuits and wires is compulsory. The next big improvement will be to implement an obstacle avoidance algorithm based on ultrasonic distance scanning.

  • [Hours of work: 4h]
  • [People involved: Giorgio, Akshit]

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RC-VSTB, steering system.

Steering is essential for driving, so it was implemented successfully on the RC-VSTB together with a draft of the code to run a servo motor: the idea is to implement an appropriate sensor (Ultrasonic Distance Sensor - HC-SR04) to calculate the distance, placing it on top of a servo motor. Using only one sensor located on a rotating base, helps the RC-VSTB consume less current and run the code easier, instead of a group of sensors individually powered and connected to the Raspberry Pi 1.

  • [Hours of work: 3h]
  • [People involved: Giorgio, Akshit]

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RC-VSTB, power up!

A self-sustaining power supply is essential for driving an autonomous vehicle: the RC-VSTB was finally disconnected from a wall socket source of energy and was provided with a battery pack. A first draft of the program that will run on the RC-VSTB has been written: no motor drivers are used in this stage.

  • [Hours of work: 18h]
  • [People involved: Giorgio, Akshit]

RC-VSTB, moving the first step!

The RC Vehicle System Test Bed (RC-VSTB) is an extremely simplified version of Mimas: the OS running on the actual rover is tested on the structure of an RC car to gain confidence with the driving system, obstacle recognition and avoidance algorithm and sensors. First connections were made to connect the motors and the preexisting circuits with a Raspberry Pi 1. Several tests were performed to ensure all connections are working properly.

  • [Hours of work: 8h]
  • [People involved: Giorgio, Akshit]