Coasting vs. Power Braking

In the coasting versus power braking lab, the braking distance (total distance- forward distance) was examined for a code with braking and a code that just ends without braking. Unlike our original assumptions, we have concluded that there is not much of a difference in braking distance between the two methods; there are only slight logistical differences.

 

Power Braking Coasting
Pros:

None that we found based on the data.

 

 Pros:

  • Less power consumption
  • Slightly lower average braking distance
  • More control over braking distance
Cons:

  • Uses a little bit more battery power
  • Slightly higher average braking distance
  • Less control over braking distance
 Cons:

None that we found!

 

DATA:

Power Braking Coasting
start motor off end start motor off end
24.61538462 60.48387 160.2051 24.61538462 45.96774 133.3333
24.61538462 55.64516 158.5641 24.61538462 52.41935 134.359
24.61538462 59.67742 154.8718 24.61538462 45.16129 128.8205
24.61538462 53.22581 142.7692 24.61538462 52.41935 131.2821
24.61538462 69.35484 161.641 24.61538462 40.32258 113.0256
Braking Distance: 99.72126 Braking Distance: 87.36559
102.9189 81.93962
95.19438 83.65922
89.54342 78.8627
92.28619 72.70306
Mean: 95.93284 Mean: 80.90604
Standard Deviation: 5.427379 Standard Deviation: 5.519018

 

 

Takeaways

We have decided to use coasting moving forward in our AEV project. We chose coasting over power braking because although the results for braking distance were very similar between both methods, there was more control over the braking distance when using coasting, which is shown by the lower standard deviation. In addition, although we originally thought that power braking would use more battery power, we have concluded from the results of the advanced research and design 1 that the battery voltage does not drop a significant amount for each run, so using coasting rather than power braking would not waste much battery power in the long run.