Autonomous Audi TTS to take on Pikes Peak
 

Nicknamed “Shelley” after Michele Mouton, the most successful female rally driver in Audi’s long and illustrious racing history.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Nov. 7, 2009

Autonomous Audi TT on the road to Pike's Peak.

In a collaborate effort with Stanford University, Audi supplying a TT to be rebuilt as autonomous vehicle capable of completing the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in a reasonable time using rally driving techniques.

Teams and Responsibilities:

Volkswagen Electronics Research Lab - Convert an Audi TT to drive by wire, develop a safety architecture to ensure a reliable autonomous drive with no safety driver, and implement Stanford’s control algorithms on a system jointly developed with Sun Microsystems.

Stanford Dynamics Design Lab - Develop the robust control algorithms that enable the vehicle to drive at the limits of handling on a variety of surfaces, and lets it complete the Pikes Peak course.

Sun Microsystems – Will specify a hardware platform that can run Stanford’s real time algorithms and develop a framework that enables Real Time Java to the vehicle CAN system.

The Vehicle - 2009 Audi TTS

Fuel Economy rating: 21 mpgUS city/29 mpgUS highway/24mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA
Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged I4 DOHC
Transmission: 6-Speed S-tronic AT
Power: 265 hp & 6000 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft. @ 2500 – 5000 rpm
Top speed: 155
Acceleration (0-60mph): 4.9sec
Weight incl. sensors: ~ 3,200 pounds.

Drive-By-Wire HW

• Steering: Modified ”APA-BS" (Axially Parallel Actuation-Braun-Schweig), a new production electric power steering system with direct by-wire control through custom ERL Electronics.
• Throttle: Electronics from VW ERL reproduce signals to emulate a driver pressing on the throttle.
• Brakes: Active brake booster from Continental with by-wire control through ERL Electronics.
• Gear: Modification of signals exchanged between transmission and gear shifter using custom ERL electronics on production hardware.
• Parking brake: Use of stock electric parking brake from VW Passat through a custom ERL electronic interface utilized on Junior.

Safety

In addition to multiple redundant systems for vehicle control and emergency shutdown, the Pikes Peak TTS has a Solaris based system running a Java RTS system monitor that can perform a vehicle shutdown if it determines conditions have become unsafe.

As a backup solution, the vehicle includes a telemetry system that can transmit all vehicle parameters to a receiving station up to 20 miles away which can also shut down the vehicle remotely, or order the safety systems to engage and bring the car to a controlled stop.

Sensors

The Pikes Peak TTS utilizes an Applanix POS LV420 GPS and Inertial Measurement Unit to measure its position.

Vehicle Control Hardware

Two independent systems are being used in the Pikes Peak TTS, the initial controller development is being done on an XPC target using Matlab and Simulink which are the standard research tools from Stanford’s DDL. The final vehicle controls are being run on ruggedized custom built solutions running a Core2Duo CPU and Solaris operating system that is being developed in collaboration with Sun Microsystems.

Software

The Stanford University Dynamics Design Lab is developing cutting edge control algorithms that look to optimize the ability to control the vehicle under the most demanding circumstances. As these algorithms are finalized they will be merged into a new framework being developed at the ERL based that shares many components with other ERL Autonomous driving projects.

Re: Autonomous Audi TTS to take on Pikes Peak
 

Well, I hope someone snags the video of its last flight.
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_H*