1. [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
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Rejected Options
Wind Power
Facial Recognition Technology
Self-Driving/Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Further Research into Electric Cars
GPS Technology
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Acknowledgements
I would like to give a special thanks to Professor Chris Nadovich for his guidance this semester during
my research process.
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