15/01/25: Recording Available for Invited Talk (Prior Work)

A YouTube recording is provided below, based on earlier work on the Control-Lab-in-a-Box (CLB) platform (the abstract is available below). This initial presentation was delivered in the MathWorks Special Session at the 2024 European Control Conference, with full information provided HERE.

Download the teaching files: Control-Lab-in-a-Box (CLB) - File Exchange - MATLAB Central

Abstract

The teaching of autonomous vehicle (AV) control algorithm design involves the drawing together of multiple topics from both theory and practice. To enable an in-depth knowledge of how the control algorithms of an AV operate, a laboratory-scale approach using ‘lab-in-a-box’ has been developed at Aston University for a project-based module on the Future Vehicle Technologies MSc course. The aim of the approach is such that students can learn the control engineering fundamentals before moving onto a larger vehicle platform. Using MATLAB and Simulink, the adopted approach borrows ideas inspired from model-based design for embedded control. Continuous-time and discrete-time simulation tools are used to design what is in effect a real-time control system. Students are also taught ‘model shop’ skills and computer aided design (CAD), thus allowing them to build a physical control system for real-time operation. The focus is on the control of a DC motor, including speed control, temperature control and obstacle avoidance. The learning from the ‘lab-in-a-box’ then allows for the skills to be transferred to a scaled down vehicle, with the Roboworks Rosbot Plus TX platform used. The feedback from students is overall very positive, with the students enjoying the transferrable skills from the ‘lab-in-a-box’ to the Roboworks Rosbot Plus TX platform.