Networking Cars

Overview

The project is to create a network of at least two cars that can locate each other without user guidance. Using the open source platform of the Pi Car, we hope to add a serviceable extra module to integrate with existing functions of the current system. This module will consist of a transmitter and a receiver on respective cars, and the dynamic car will be able to interpret the signal in order to self-navigate to the location of a second car.

Team Members

Curtis Hoffman
Deep Jyoti
Andrew O'Sullivan (TA)

Objectives

• Design sensor system to communicate relative location between two vehicles.
  
• Integrate sensors in order to allow Pi Car to interpret signals into usable commands.
  
• Assemble Pi Car Chassis.
  

• Design and build a latching mechanism that integrates electromagnets and wire connections.
  
• Using Bluetooth or similar systems, enable each car to locate one another.
  
• Create a software interface and allows users to send commands to the cars to connect/disconnect.
  
• Add circuitry to each of the microcontrollers on the cars to share information with one another using the I2C connection protocol.
  

Challenges

• Establishing reliable communication between cars
  
• Make sure system is not susceptible to interference from ambient networks.
• Design System for Power Delivery (Stretch Goal)
  
• Become familiar with Pi Car hardware capabilities.
  
• Learn Raspberry Pi

Budget

• Pi Car Hardware (TBD)
  
• Misc. Sensors (TBD)