DEMO8 - SenseKIT

Autonomous driving is considered one of the key topics for the mobility solutions of the future and is currently one of the most active areas of research. To counteract the declining number of students in STEM subjects, the Institute of Automotive Systems Technology (FAST) at KIT will set up a mobile sensor platform. The aim is to enable direct interaction with sensor technology in order to make the technology tangible. 

The aim is to get young people interested in the subject area and, by highlighting current challenges, to motivate them to become involved in STEM subjects in the future, for example to study technical disciplines.

Aim

The aim of the project is to build a mobile sensor platform that can be used in a variety of ways thanks to various mounting options, e.g. on a car roof rack, on the ICM demonstrator vehicle "eVee" and on a platform trolley. The mobile sensor platform will be used as a research and teaching laboratory and make concepts and technologies for autonomous driving interactive and tangible.

Approach

• developing concepts of the sensor platform
• designing the final concept and construction in CAD
• development and implementation of the platform's E/E architecture
• construction of the sensor platform and assembly of the sensors and other components (battery, inverter, PC, etc.)
• installation and setup of the software and algorithms for e.g. object recognition
• development of didactic concepts for various event formats (exhibitions, school visits, university teaching, etc.)
• integration of the sensor platform into the ICM demonstrator vehicle "eVee"

Benefits

The main aim of the mobile sensor platform is to introduce pupils and the general public to the topic of autonomous driving. Pupils have the opportunity to immerse themselves in autonomous driving in compact teaching formats. For example, data recordings can be carried out and AI algorithms applied to them can be presented. 

Students have the opportunity to contribute to the construction and operation of the sensor platform by writing their thesis or working as a student assistant. This provides students with practical preparation for possible future careers in the field of autonomous driving. The sensor platform also provides a basis for dealing with current research issues, such as the optimization of driver assistance systems.