The Purpose of IGVC
The IGVC offers a design experience that is at the very cutting edge of engineering education. It is multidisciplinary, theory-based, hands-on, team implemented, outcome assessed, and based on product realization. It encompasses the very latest technologies impacting industrial development and taps subjects of high interest to students. Design and construction of an Intelligent Vehicle fits well in a two semester senior year design capstone course, or an extracurricular activity earning design credit. The deadline of an end-of-term competition is a real-world constraint that includes the excitement of potential winning recognition and financial gain. Students at all levels of undergraduate and graduate education can contribute to the team effort, and those at the lower levels benefit greatly from the experience and mentoring of those at higher levels. Team organization and leadership are practiced, and there are even roles for team members from business and engineering management, language and graphic arts, and public relations. Students solicit and interact with industrial sponsors who provide component hardware and advice, and in that way get an inside view of industrial design and opportunities for employment.
New for 2017 - Spec 2 Challenge: Street legal, 25mph fully autonomous vehicle competition. Year 1: Demonstration of autonomous street driving capabilities, parking & track driving maneuvers.
Technologies Involved
The technologies involved in the IGVC come from a wide range of disciplines and are those of great current interest in both industry and engineering education. Engineering students in all disciplines today would do well to have a familiarity with each of these technologies.
Electrical engineering | |
Detectors |
Voltage Regulation |
Sensors | PWM Amplifiers |
Ultrasonics (SONARS) | Traction Motors |
Radar Ranging | Actuators |
Servo Systems | Power Requirements |
Stepping Motors | Electrical Protection |
Batteries | Multiplexing |
Radio Controlled Stop | Potentiometers |
Computer Science and Engineering | |
Intelligent Decision making | Multiple CPUs |
Neural Networks | Machine Vision |
Image Analysis | Intelligent Control |
Fuzzy Logic | Software Engineering |
Computer Programming | Artificial Intelligence |
Data Fusion | Microcontrollers |
Frame Grabbers | PID Controllers |
Control Algorithms | Video Cameras (stereoscopic) |
MATLAB | Thresholding |
Data Acquisition | Software System Interfaces |
Guidance Systems | Computer Graphics |
Computer Modeling & Simulation | |
Mechanical Engineering | |
Mobility | Autonomous Systems |
Robotics | Traction |
Mobile Robots | Vehicle Dynamics |
Speed Control | Power Requirements |
Power Sources | Engineering Mechanics |
Weight Distribution | Tire Treads |
Bearings | Turning Radius |
Weather Proofing | Rolling Friction |
Dampers | Articulation |
Tachometers | Solid Modeling |
Hydraulic Drives | Suspension Systems |
Differential Drive | Component Packaging |
Chain Drives | Thermal Management |
Fiberglass Forming | Computer Aided Design |
Finite Element Stress Analysis | Bump Sensors |
Welding | Body Styling |
Reliability/Durability/Maintainability |
Applications of IGVC in The Real
World
The technologies involved
in the IGVC are those of emerging and burgeoning industries today.
Among those applications are many with great opportunities for
breakthroughs and innovation, and employment opportunities for
knowledgeable young engineers abound.
Military Mobility | |
Mine Detection | Leader - Follower (Autonomous Convoy Operations) |
Platooning | Mobile Robots |
Lane Detection & Following | Surveillance Systems |
Unmanned Weapons Deployment | Manned-Unmanned Teaming |
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) | |
Collision Avoidance | Adaptive Cruise Control |
Obstacle Detection | Leader - Follower |
Lane Detection & Following | Driver Aides |
Lane Departure Warning |
Vehicle Safety Systems |
Automated Highway Systems | Navigation Systems |
Unmanned Maintenance Vehicles | Self-Driving, Street Legal Vehicles |
Automated Taxi Service | Autonomous Parking |
Manufacturing | |
Mobile Robots | Machine Safety |
Machine Operations | Material Handling |
Unmanned Storage Systems |