Performance Test 3 focused on the finalization of the AEV in terms of making it efficient as possible while staying within restrictions. The team utilized different sets of strategies to lower the energy usage. The group mainly changed the coding to lower the spikes in the graph found in Performance Test 2. This memo will lead through the reason behind necessary changes to the AEV as well as the quantitative and qualitative outcomes.
The lab group focused on recoding any sections of the AEV’s code where there was a spike in energy usage that could be reduced in the given time frame. The team used a trial and error methodology in order to add more coasting instead of back burst breaking (the act of reversing a motor to stop the momentum of the AEV). The goal of the lab group was to eliminate all the major spikes in energy consumption in order to make the vehicle as efficient as possible while still preforming all necessary tasks as described in the MCR. Coasting was decided to be the best way to eliminate excess energy.
The group began with running the AEV on the track and then getting the data for it. After data collection the the code was adjusted the code to allow the AEV to be more energy efficient by changing the spikes in energy caused by the back burst breaking method. This was done by using a trial and error method to determine the distance needed to travel and motor speed required to accurately and consistently coast into each check point on the track This allowed the AEV to use less energy than previous runs.