Solar Powered Autonomous Vehicle for
Education in Sustainable Design
Department of Engineering Technology
Division of Engineering Management and Technology
College of Engineering, Drexel University
Aurel Mathews and Kingston Lee, Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard Chiou
Manual Vehicle Control using Bluetooth Communication and
Android Smartphone App
Abstract
This is a multidisciplinary project that integrates advanced technologies through
the use of stackable Arduino ‘shields’ and can be used to teach students about
emerging and sustainable practices. This project aims to design, build, and test
an autonomous solar powered ground vehicle. The vehicle will be based on a
customized remote control car whose steering and acceleration will be controlled
autonomously using an Arduino microcontroller. The vehicle will drive to preset
destinations using a GPS receiver module and a compass to navigate to
waypoints until the destination is reached. The vehicle will be powered using a
lithium polymer (LiPo) battery that will be recharged using solar panels. A
maximum power point tracking (MPPT) solar charger will be used in between
the panels and battery in order to provide the maximum charging current to the
battery. A bluetooth module will be used to allow for wireless communication
between the vehicle and an Android smartphone.
Benefits of Open Source Technology and Sustainable Design Education for
Students
• Multidisciplinary nature of projects expose students to various technologies
• Open source technology allows students to build upon others work and promotes
innovation
• Functionality of Arduino microcontroller to sense and control physical world allows
for limitless applications
• Arduino software is easy-to-use and is designed to introduce students to programming
Un-customized Remote
Control Car
Student Measuring Solar Panel Performance using
LabVIEW Data Acquisition
Current/Voltage(Characteris4c(of((
Solar(Panel(
0.09"
0.07"
Current,(A(
0.06"
0.05"
0.04"
0.03"
0.02"
0.01"
0"
0"
1"
2"
3"
4"
5"
6"
7"
8"
9"
Voltage,(V(
Power(Curve(of(
Solar(Panel(
0.45"
Vehicle Wiring Diagram
0.4"
0.35"
0.3"
Power,(W(
Introduction
The objective of this project is to determine the viability of using open source
technology, such as Arduino and 3D printing, as an instructional tool in
undergraduate education to teach sustainable design. The basic objectives of
sustainable design are to reduce energy consumption and minimize waste. This
project aims to reduce energy consumption through the use of solar energy in order
to charge the vehicle’s battery. In order to minimize material waste, parts like the
servo bracket and solar panel sleeves were custom designed for the vehicle and
printed using a 3D printer. Arduino microcontrollers use printed circuit expansion
boards, or shields, that can be stacked on top of each other and provide motor
control, GPS, or other extended capabilities. Combining this open source
technology with sustainable design would extend the learning capabilities of
students.
Custom Designed 3D Printed Vehicle Components
0.08"
0.25"
0.2"
0.15"
0.1"
0.05"
0"
0"
1"
2"
3"
4"
5"
6"
7"
8"
9"
Voltage,(V(
GPS Printout
Solar Panel Sleeve for Mounting
Servo Bracket
Arduino Sketch used to Control
Vehicle Autonomously
Compass Printout
Conclusion
Sustainable design education is important because it can be used to teach about
environmentally friendly energy sources and technology. Increased education about
these technologies will allow renewable energy to become more widespread and help
reduce negative impacts on the environment. Combining sustainable design with open
source technology has the capability to teach about renewable energy and help promote
innovation.