Autonomous Driving Simulation

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. Today, autonomous driving is both a vision and a reality, at least on SAE level 2 and most recently also level 3 on the SAE driving automation scale: https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3016_202104/.


For more information about building autonomous driving systems, see our course AVAI (autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence) or the book https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-01805-3 (accessible with a RUB IP).

Carla, a driving simulator based on Unreal (source: unrealengine.com)

The goal of this project is to compare two open-source autonomous-driving platforms upon scenarios and maps you create. The latter should be related to RUB, ideally the campus. You should investigate ways of efficiently mapping the campus and build driving systems upon the autonomous-driving platforms.

In this study project you will continue work already done by past student groups and evolve the established foundation.

Further information on the current state of the project, can be found in our technical report on arXiv [TBD].

Obtaining RoadRunner License

To obtain a RoadRunner license, write an email request to IT-SERVICES using the template below.

Subject: Anfrage zur Lizenz für die RoadRunner-Produktfamilie

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

mein Name ist [Name], und ich bin Student der Angewandten Informatik an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Im Rahmen des Studienprojektes „Autonomous Driving Simulation Case Study“, welches von Prof. Dr. Thorsten Berger geleitet wird, benötige ich eine Lizenz für die RoadRunner-Produktfamilie (RoadRunner, RoadRunner Scenario, RoadRunner-Asset-Bibliothek, RoadRunner Scene Builder).

Ich bedanke mich im Voraus und freue mich auf Ihre Rückmeldung.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

[Name], (Matr. Nr.: …)

Note: The license will be assigned to the e-mail address provided in the request within 1-2 days.

Installing the License

  • Create a MathWorks-Account by going through the registration process (use your University email address).
  • Navigate to the MathWorks License Center. If you aren’t already logged in, log in with your existing MathWorks account to access the License Center.
  • Select the RoadRunner license by clicking on the row labeled RoadRunner (Individual). After the selection, you should see the RoadRunner, AssetLibrary, Scenario, and Scene Builder under the tab “Manage Products”.
  • Download latest available version of RoadRunner.
  • On the tab with the products listed, move over to the tab “Install and activate” and click on the blue button labeled “Activate a Computer”
  • Fill out the box titled “Manually Activate Software on a Computer” and then click on continue.
  • Download your license file and store it on your computer.
  • Double-click on the Shortcut to launch the program.
  • Provide the license path in the window that opens up on first launch.

Usefull links