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