Engineering and design

Autonomous Vehicles

Module code: H7122
Level 6
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Workshop, Laboratory
Assessment modes: Coursework, Computer based exam

On this module, you'll study the concepts and operating principles, along with challenges and technology, of autonomous vehicles. The focus is on the planar vehicles.

Topics include a systematic understanding and practical experiments of:

• vehicle dynamics focusing on kinematics and dynamics of unicycle robots for modelling, simulation and control of the longitudinal and lateral motions
• vision-based perception including sensors, image processing techniques to percept the surrounding environment and different techniques to represent the precepted maps
• the mapping and Localisation algorithms, including odometric and simultaneous mapping and localisation (SLAM)
• the potential field and search-based motion planning algorithms to achieve a destination while avoiding obstacles.

You’ll also gain a systematic understanding of advanced estimation and control techniques for autonomous vehicles.

Module learning outcomes

• A systematic understanding of operating principles of autonomous vehicles including interpreting main concepts, challenges and state-of-the-art technology
• A systematic understanding of modern algorithms for perception, mapping, path planning and control of autonomous vehicles using visual and depth cameras and other sensors
• Application of the mathematical theories to design and real-time implementation of complex algorithms for autonomous vehicles
• Analysis of performance of autonomous vehicle algorithms by practical experiments using robots and MATLAB/SIMULINK tools in laboratory