Track:
Performance Test 1:
Description- The team was assigned the task of having the AEV travel from the starting dock (point A), up the slope, stop between the gate region to trigger the gate (region B), wait for seven seconds, and proceed through the gate.
Results- The team successfully completed the first performance test one day early. The team utilized power braking and the use of relative position in the Arduino code to ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the AEV. After the first performance test, the team changed the design of the AEV. The major changes of the design was changing the position of the battery and Arduino on the AEV. A detailed image of the design can be found on the AEV designs page.
Performance Test 2:
Description- The team was assigned the task of completing the tasks discussed in the first performance test, and to also complete the following series of tasks: travel from the gate to the loading dock (point D), attached to the caboose without moving the caboose more than ~three inches, wait five seconds, and move away from the loading dock while still being connected to the caboose.
Results- The team successfully completed the second performance test one day early. The team used the new AEV design. There was a period of correcting the code from performance test 1 because the new AEV design required less power in the code to move the same amount because of the more even weight distribution. After the code from the first performance test, the team was able to work on the new tasks. The team spent most of the time making sure the AEV safely, softly, and accurately connects to the caboose. The team ended up using a combination of coasting to a slow speed and using a small amount of power braking to accurately stop the AEV at the right spot every time.
Final Performance Test:
Description- The team was assigned the task of completing the tasks discussed in the first two performance tests, and to also complete the following series of tasks: travel from the loading dock (point D), travel up the slope, stop between the gate region to trigger the gate (region C), wait for seven seconds, proceed through the gate, and stop safely at the starting gate.
Results- The team’s first run of the final performance test was completed in room 308 on Wednesday April 10, 2019. The team received 38/40 points because the AEV did not reach the gate region (region C) on the way back with the caboose. The team’s second run of the final performance test was completed in room 224 on Friday April 12, 2019. The team received 38/40 points because the AEV did not reach the gate region (region B) on the way to the gate the first time. The team’s third run of the final performance test was completed in room 224 on Friday April 12, 2019. The team received 40/40 points.
Video Documentation-
- The AEV’s trip up to the gate to pick up the passenger vehicle
- The AEV’s picking up of the docked passenger vehicle