Performance Test 1:
The goal of the first performance test was to program Group D’s AEV to move from the starting dock to the gate, pause for seven seconds so the gate can open, and then proceed through the gate. This test was also the debut of the team’s original vehicle design. During the test, the team encountered numerous inconsistencies in mark counting and braking distance. To combat this, the team took careful measurements of the test track and used this information to get the AEV to travel to the general area of the gate. From there, many minor tweaks to braking power, braking distance, and travel distance were made through trial and error. In the end, the group accomplished the task with ease.
Performance Test 2:
The goal of this performance test was to accomplish the previous test, while also passing through the gate and stopping at the loading zone to connect with the caboose. Then the AEV would reverse and exit out of the loading dock. Similar problems from the previous performance test arose in this test as well. On the way traveling down to the caboose, the AEV occasionally made contact with the caboose with more speed than what was desired. The AEV stopped too soon so that it was unable to attach to the caboose. To overcome these obstacles, the team went through more trial and error by adjusting braking power and motor speed so that the AEV would connect with the caboose gently. In the end, the team was able to again accomplish the task efficiently.
Performance Test 3:
This final performance test was the culmination of the previous tests. On top of accomplishing the previous tests, the AEV now had to travel back to the gate, stop and wait for the gate to open, and then travel back to the starting zone. To do this, the team ran the previously made code in reverse to see how the AEV will perform. As expected, the exact code ran in reverse would not accomplish the needed task because of the added weight of the caboose and the different area in which the AEV connects with the caboose. Using the previous methods as before, the team went through a final series of trial and error by adjusting the motor speed and braking speed to compensate for the added weight of the caboose, and the travel distance. The team was able to accomplish this final task flawlessly. After completing the basic task, the team had more time to spare so the focus shifted on how to make the vehicle perform more efficiently by trying to decrease the power consumption. This was able to be achieved by increasing the AEV’s usage of coasting instead of running the motors. In the end, the team was able to accomplish this as well and managed to cut off several joules of energy.