[CEO/Communications] ECE 492 Project Proposal ECE 492- Spring 2017 [CEO/Communications] Project Website: sites.lafayette.edu/ece492-sp17/ Engineers: Stephen Beggs Introduction Self-Driving/Autonomous Vehicles Heilmeier’s 9 Critical Questions With the Electric Car Project coming to an end, there is need for another big project for the ECE department to pursue. Throughout the semester I engaged in an in-depth research experience to determine what the next project for the department should be. Requires both Digital and Analog Solutions Relevant to current industry trends Young technology that our students could potentially contribute to Research holds significance to students, as well as Lafayette community Opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration Enough work to occupy ECE senior class for multiple years Requires team building/communication skills Project reflects values of Lafayette College Build fully functional autonomous vehicle system Built using mapping/localization system, obstacle avoidance system, path planning system, and control system Allow ambitious and recently trained students to attack a relevant engineering problem Research relevant to anybody who drives a car, and to the Lafayette Community, which has recently seen two vehicle related student deaths Students given industry-realistic experience Low risk, success would mean students provide real innovative research Estimated $60,000 needed for whole project Project should take at least 4 years Weekly progress reports, and semesterly deliverables/demonstrations The finished Lafayette Formula Electric Vehicle being taken out for Its first test drive. Criteria Requires both digital and analog solutions Properly prepare students for post-grad professional life by immersing them in an industry-realistic environment Reflects the values of Lafayette College/ Gives the project a “so what” Holds relevance to current events/has potential to produce impactful results Limited search based on large projects aiming to solve large real world problems A Google Car’s internal map. Tweeted by Idealab founder Bill Gross <http://robohub.org/how-do-self-driving-cars-work/> Rejected Options Wind Power Facial Recognition Technology Self-Driving/Autonomous Vehicle Technology Further Research into Electric Cars GPS Technology <energy.gov> Acknowledgements I would like to give a special thanks to Professor Chris Nadovich for his guidance this semester during my research process. <www.extremetech.com> <inhabitat.com> <www.extremetech.com/>