Design and implementation of an autonomous hybrid vehicle

This paper outlines the design strategy for the University of Johannesburg´s (UJ´s) hybrid vehicle entry into the South African Solar Challenge (SASC) 2010. The SASC is a biennial event focused on alternative energies and showcasing various automotive technologies. The SASC is broken up into different classes; UJ entered in the Greenfleet Technology class. This paper presents the design principles and strategies used to implement a working prototype vehicle which is hybrid (propelled by multiple energy sources) and autonomous (able to operate without human assistance). Various specifications of the vehicle structure and systems (brakes and steering) are discussed in the context of these two goals. A description of physical considerations outlines the different design decisions made in order to provide the vehicle with its autonomous and hybrid capabilities; the design and implementation of these systems are also described. The autonomy system allows the vehicle to follow the path of a lead vehicle. The energy management system implemented on the vehicle dynamically optimises the amount of fuel used by the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The vehicle produced at UJ was able to participate in the SASC 2010 and win the Greenfleet Technology class. The vehicle platform has allowed the development and demonstration of hybrid energy systems and autonomous control.