Engineering and design

Autonomous Vehicles

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

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