Autonomous Vehicle Project

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The CAD project brought to life in CATIA V5 showcases an Autonomous Vehicle, designed specifically for the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities. From scratch, every component was meticulously crafted with a keen focus on attention to detail. The vehicle boasts a 400cc, twin-cam, one-cylinder, hydrogen-powered, 4-stroke combustion engine featuring four valves per piston. Furthermore, the vehicle assembly is constructed from a 40mm steel tubular chassis. Additional components, including rear and front axles connected rigidly to the kart, support a functional steering system and brake mechanism, enabling the vehicle to function as intended. The wheelchaired individual gains access through an electronically actuated door mechanism. Wheels designed for optimal contact patch ensure good handling characteristics. Estimated weight of the vehicle is approximately 310 kg with standardised bolts and hardware included. Two months was the time constraint within which this autonomous vehicle project was successfully completed, despite numerous challenges encountered by the designing team. Utilizing CATIA as primary software, other computer programs were leveraged to optimize vehicle performance. For instance, ANSYS was employed to analyze stress, strain, and deformation parameters for the Connecting Rod, thereby enhancing component strength and performance values. CAM modeling using Autodesk Powermill facilitated the creation of a future scenario where the connecting rod could be machined from a solid alloyed steel billet. These efforts resulted in a product that meets initial requirements while being delivered on time. Autonomous features are enabled by a minimal number of representative sensors transmitting data to the electronically actuated brake, throttle body, and steering mechanism. The collaborative effort between Robert Jakabos and Paulo Fernandes led to the successful completion of this autonomous vehicle project.