Collision Detection Objects interfering with the path of the station should be detected at least five feet away. Upon detection, the station should be able to reroute its path around the object to continue tracking the user within a minute of encountering the interfering object. Collision detection should interrupt current tracking process to reroute vehicle. Collision detection should not be employed while the user is controlling the vehicle with the remote control feature. Software The autonomous framework of the system should be dictated by a single microcontroller. The microcontroller shall be programmable using the high level C programming language. The system shall respond to user commands via Android Smartphone application. The Android application shall include a handheld remote user’s control feature to manually guide the station as a fail-safe to autonomous tracking. The Android application shall be available on the Android market for any user to download. The Android smartphone should communicate with the vehicle via Bluetooth. The range of communication between mobile phone and vehicle should be at least 20 feet. Budget The entire unit and parts for all subsystems shall not exceed $2500 in total costs. Pre-purchased or pre-owned parts should be incorporated to the design to reduce costs. Parts shall be both cost-effective and affordable, without sacrificing reliability and performance. Durability The system should be weather resistant and still operable in the presence of mild rain. Parts shall be easily replaceable if broken or damaged. The system should be operable at temperatures as high as 90 degrees and as low as 50 degrees. The vehicle shall be operable on grassy and concrete terrain without imposing any damage to the unit.
Collision Detection Objects interfering with the path of the station should be detected at least five feet away. Upon detection, the station should be able to reroute its path around the object to continue tracking the user within a minute of encountering the interfering object. Collision detection should interrupt current tracking process to reroute vehicle. Collision detection should not be employed while the user is controlling the vehicle with the remote control feature. Software The autonomous framework of the system should be dictated by a single microcontroller. The microcontroller shall be programmable using the high level C programming language. The system shall respond to user commands via Android Smartphone application. The user’s Android application shall include a handheld remote control feature to manually guide the station as a fail-safe to autonomous tracking. The Android application shall be available on the Android market for any user to download. The Android smartphone should communicate with the vehicle via Bluetooth. The range of communication between mobile phone and vehicle should be at least 20 feet. Budget The entire unit and parts for all subsystems shall not exceed $2500 in total costs. Pre-purchased or pre-owned parts should be incorporated to the design to reduce costs. Parts shall be both cost-effective and affordable, without sacrificing reliability and performance. Durability The system should be weather resistant and still operable in the presence of mild rain. Parts shall be easily replaceable if broken or damaged. The system should be operable at temperatures as high as 90 degrees and as low as 50 degrees. The vehicle shall be operable on grassy and concrete terrain without imposing any damage to the unit.
ABEC_Doc_SD1.docx