Creating an Autonomous Rally Car

Summary

In this article, we explore how we are trying to create an autonomous rally car that can drive itself around a dirt or paved track without any human intervention. The article discusses the technology we are using, some challenges we face, and our plans to test the car’s speed and safety by driving it up Pikes Peak.

How are you trying to create an autonomous rally car?
What technology are you using to create the autonomous rally car?
How are you planning to test the autonomous rally car?
What were the goals of the previous DARPA projects with autonomous vehicles?
What are the challenges you face in creating an autonomous rally car?

Introduction

Creating an autonomous rally car is a challenging task that requires a lot of expertise in various fields, including engineering, computer science, and mathematics. The goal is to create a car that can drive itself around a track, using all available friction to maintain control and avoid accidents. In this article, we will discuss how we are approaching this project, the technology we are using, and the challenges we face in creating an autonomous rally car.

Q&A

How are you trying to create an autonomous rally car?

Our goal is to create an autonomous rally car that can drive itself around a dirt or paved track without any human intervention. We are using advanced technology such as GPS antennas, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and a small computer in the trunk that controls all these sensors to get the necessary data. We combine sensor measurements, figure out what we want the car to do, and then tell the steering, the brake, and the engine to do what we need to do to get the car to move in the proper way.

What technology are you using to create the autonomous rally car?

The car we are using is a stock Audi TT, which has electric power steering, an electronic throttle, and electronic brakes that we are tapping into. We are also using GPS antennas, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to get the data we need to control the car. This data is processed by a small computer in the trunk that controls the sensors and sends signals to the steering, brakes, and engine to make the car move in the desired direction.

How are you planning to test the autonomous rally car?

We are planning to test the autonomous rally car by driving it up Pikes Peak without a human driver in the car. This is a significant challenge because the road is narrow, and if the car goes off the road, the driver would not survive the nearly 10,000-foot drop. So, we have to develop the necessary systems to enable us to go up without a driver in the car. Currently, the driver in the car is just there to make sure that things are going okay and has his hands off the wheel. He puts the button to start the test, and then he’ll push the button to stop the test, but they don’t interfere with driving at all.

What were the goals of the previous DARPA projects with autonomous vehicles?

The first DARPA project with Stanley was to see if autonomous cars could even happen. The goal was to see if a car could travel from point A to point B in the desert, avoiding obstacles on the road. The second DARPA project with Junior was to navigate through a simulated city while obeying the traffic law and being able to park, pull up to stop lights, make left turns, or merge. Now, with the latest car, the project is to control the car at higher speeds because the previous vehicles were going 240 miles an hour. Still, this car is going 4130 miles an hour, so we really have to know how to drive the car a little bit better.

What are the challenges you face in creating an autonomous rally car?

Creating an autonomous rally car poses many challenges. One significant challenge is ensuring that the car can handle the high speeds and tight turns required in rally driving. Additionally, we need to develop safety systems to ensure that the car can avoid accidents and drive safely in hazardous conditions. Finally, we need to ensure that the car can operate autonomously without any human intervention, which is a significant challenge in itself. However, we are confident that we can overcome these challenges and create an autonomous rally car that can perform at the highest levels of competition.

Conclusion

Creating an autonomous rally car is a significant challenge, but we believe that the technology and expertise we bring to the task will enable us to create a car that can drive itself around a track without any human intervention. We are using advanced technologies such as GPS antennas, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to get the necessary data to control the car. Our ultimate goal is to develop a car that can compete in rally racing and win against human-driven cars. We are confident that we can meet this challenge and create an autonomous rally car that will revolutionize the sport.