The Georgia Tech EcoCAR is divided into several sub-teams:
- Propulsion Controls and Modeling (PCM)
- System Design and Integration (SDI)
- Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs)
- Communications (CM)
- Equity in Mobility (EiM)
Recruiting information for each sub-team can be found here.
Propulsion Controls and Modeling (PCM)
The propulsion controls and modeling sub-team is responsible for the design and implementation of a safe, robust, and functional control system for the vehicle propulsion system, including responding to input from any connected or autonomous systems controllers. The sub-team follows a model-based design approach to simulate the vehicle and subsystems, build a supervisory control strategy, and thoroughly test the controller in a variety of simulation environments prior to and after implementation on the vehicle.
Systems Design and Integration (SDI)
The system design and integration sub-team will design, integrate, evaluate, and refine the propulsion systems and components to ensure the vehicle functions as intended while maintaining safety for all planned competition events. This sub-team performs extensive simulation of propulsion system integration with finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), electrical systems simulations, and other design and analysis tools to follow a model-based design approach. A successful SDI swim-lane will conclude the competition with a reliable vehicle that is functioning as intended with production-ready integration and reliability of all systems.
Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs)
The CAV sub-team will implement connected and automated vehicle technology to improve the vehicle’s energy efficiency and utility. This sub-team is responsible for developing a perception and autonomous control system that is capable of sending automated control commands to the vehicle’s propulsion system controller. To accomplish this task, the sub-team implements systems that:
- Develop safe and robust longitudinal and lateral control systems for integration with the vehicle’s actuators
- Use the perception system information to safely, reliably, efficiently, and comfortably implement longitudinal and lateral semi-autonomous control features, such as Eco-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering Control, and Automatic Parking
- Implement Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) communication by synthesizing data from multiple onboard and remote sensors to generate a reliable assessment of nearby vehicles and other traffic elements
- Monitor the driver’s attention state and re-engage the driver if necessary
- Provide accurate and useful information on CAV system operation to the driver during autonomous and general operation
Communications (CM)
Our communications team will work on connecting with government officials, writing blog posts and features, posting on our social medias, and coordinating and putting together community outreach events ranging from the Atlanta community, to Georgia Tech students, to k-12 schools. This team aims to help educate the general public about STEM and alternative energy vehicles.
Equity in Mobility (EiM)
Our EiM team attacks sustainability issues that effect clean transportation and mobility. Tackling these issues requires understanding of the benefits and necessities of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The EiM sub-team focuses on reinforcing a strong team culture of inclusion, promoting equity in STEM education, providing employment opportunities to team members, and finding ways to innovate for the community.