Project description :
Summary (MAX of 2100 characters with spaces)
This project aims to establish new design methods for robust and efficient automotive navigation and optimal management of a fleet of vehicles in harsh environments. In addition, the project also aims to develop innovative metrics for real-time analysis of dangerous driving behaviour as well as real-time analysis of car accidents in order to significantly improve global safety of Canadian drivers. In general, this research proposes to combine measurements from a high sensitivity GPS receiver with data coming from a self-contained inertial navigation system and other complementary autonomous sensors such as odometers and magnetometers. Moreover, in order to provide an affordable solution, the targeted system will be based exclusively on the use of very low cost sensors. It is expected that this project will help reduce the environmental footprint of motor vehicles in addition to having a significant positive impact on overall vehicle safety. For example, improving vehicle localisation accuracy and robustness in harsh environments can significantly reduce the time to find a stolen or misplaced vehicle, which can have an important impact on Canadian companies’ finances. Furthermore, having a robust and precise solution for monitoring vehicle behaviour can lead to the implementation of a new taxation system based on car usage or on driving behaviour, which according to recent studies, can help reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10%. In addition, accurate reconstruction of car accidents in real-time allow prediction of specific parameters of an accident scene thus improving reaction time and vehicle safety. The proof-of-concept demonstrator will be evaluated in-laboratory and on-road using simulation equipment and a car test platform under real operating conditions in order to characterize protocols and system performance. The project will contribute to international initiatives for the definition of new standards and contribute to Canadian efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new employment opportunities for the team of highly qualified personnel.
Responsibilities of the candidate:
According to the schedule, this trainee student will be in charge of the following tasks:
1) 2-105 Validation of the implementation of the prototype
2) 2-106 Physical robustness analysis of the prototype
3) 2-107 Detailing the prototype specifications
The main objective of this training is to assist the engineer and the research team in the development, testing and validation of the Orchid VTADS prototype platform that should be implemented early in the second year of the project. During this study, the student will first have to validate the overall behaviour of the system through a series of tests to be carried out in various realistic scenarios of automotive navigation as well as various vehicles. The student will also work on the physical robustness tests to which the prototype will be submitted. These tests will assess the resistance and breaking point of the system to various physical factors such as vibration, impacts and critical temperature variations. These tests will be conducted with the help of a company specializing in the field of destructive testing and will help determine whether the prototype is ready, or not, to be tested using real accident scenarios. Finally, using the results from these tests, the trainee student will have to perform the writing of a complete specification sheet of the Orchid VTADS prototype.
