Development of an Energy Efficient and Cost Effective Autonomous Vehicle Research Platform

Commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology is a major goal of the automotive industry, thus research in this space is rapidly expanding across the world. However, despite this high level of research activity, literature detailing a straightforward and cost-effective approach to the development of an AV research platform is sparse. To address this need, the authors present the methodology and results regarding the AV instrumentation and controls of a 2019 Kia Niro which was developed for a local AV pilot program. This platform includes a drive-by-wire actuation kit, Aptiv electronically scanning radar, stereo camera, MobilEye computer vision system, LiDAR, inertial measurement unit, two global positioning system receivers to provide heading information, and an in-vehicle computer for driving environment perception and path planning. Robotic Operating System software is used as the system middleware between the instruments and the autonomous application algorithms. After selection, installation, and integration of these components, the authors results show successful utilization of all sensors, drive-by-wire functionality, a total additional power* consumption of 242.8 Watts (*Typical), and an overall cost of $118,189 USD, which is a significant saving compared to other commercially available systems with similar functionality. This vehicle continues to serve as the authors primary AV research and development platform.

• Record URL:
  http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s22165999
• Record URL:
  https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/16/5999
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14248220
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2022 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
• Authors:
  • Brown, Nicholas E
  • Rojas, Johan F
  • Goberville, Nicholas A
  • Alzubi, Hamzeh
  • Alrousan, Qusay
  • Wang, Chieh
  • Huff, Shean
  • Rios-Torres, Jackeline
  • Ekti, Ali Riza
  • LaClair, Tim J
  • Meyer, Richard
  • Asher, Zachary D
• Publication Date: 2022

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: 5999
• Serial:
  • Sensors
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue Number: 16
  • Publisher: MDPI AG
  • ISSN: 1424-8220
  • Serial URL: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Autonomous vehicles; Cost effectiveness; Energy conservation; Intelligent transportation systems; Laser radar; Proximity detectors
• Identifier Terms: Kia automobile
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01858495
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 21 2022 9:28AM