Autonomous driving is the future of individual mobility and all major manufacturers are working on fully autonomous vehicles. While there are robust and good solutions for the individual problems in autonomous driving, the main challenge lies in their integration. Altogether, an autonomous vehicle’s software is the biggest problem. Therefore, the key in self-driving vehicles is about getting the software right. In this course, we will investigate the different aspects of self-driving vehicles as well as the importance and application of artificial intelligence in this domain.
- taught every semester
- part of several study programs (AI, ITS, ETIT), mainly for advanced bachelor and master students
- consists of main lecture and additional tutorial each week (4 SWS, 5 CP)
- course language is English
- tutorials offer practical applications of the lecture’s contents (e.g., build and programm a self-driving robot)
The course will primarily focus on the following topics:
- Requirements for self-driving
- Architecture of autonomous vehicles
- Operating systems and frameworks for robotic systems
- Specification and Implementation of autonomous vehicles based on ROS2
- Artificial intelligence for autonomous vehicles
- Simulation of autonomous vehicles Localization & perception
- Mission planning Quality assurance for autonomous vehicles
The course’s curriculum provides the required theoretical background to practically apply it in teams and build a self-driving robot. The tasks of the robot to be built are oriented on these for a self-driving race car such as the ones participating in the Formula Student Driverless. In Bochum, the RUB Motorsport team is planning to participate in this competition and this course will enable its participants in entering this competition.
The Formula Student is the largest engineering competition in the world. The goal is to build a prototype open-wheel racecar compliant with the Formula Student rulebook. With these cars, more than 500 teams compete at competition sites all over the world, to show off their skills in engineering, software development, business administration etc. The most prestigious event is the Formula Student Germany (FSG) held at the Hockenheim-Ring. To be able to reach the maximum score at this event, the car has to be able to autonomously navigate inside the track boundaries. Therefore, actuators for steering and braking have to be implemented, as well as the software required to get the car to drive fully autonomously.
RUB Motorsport is the Formula Student Team of the Ruhr University. The Team has been building combustion race cars since 2007 and is now switching to a fully electric powertrain. They are currently working on software for their autonomous racecar, and are always looking for new members to join the development team. With enough motivated members, it could very well be possible to have autonomous features implemented in time for FSG 2023. The knowledge gained by this course can be transferred over to the development of the autonomous racecar built by RUB Motorsport. Furthermore, working experience on how to collaboratively work on a project of this scale can be gained. For more information, you can visit rubmotorsport.de or send an E-Mail to motorsport@rub.de.