Since the motors are the primary source of motion for the AEV, it is important to find the best configuration for our specific vehicle in order to maximize the energy efficiency. The best way to find this configuration was to run trials of two separate configurations under the same conditions and then measure the energy used. The first of these models was a configuration in which both motors were facing the same direction. The second model was exactly the same as the first, but one of the motors was facing the opposite direction so that one motor would be running in the forward direction and the other would be running in the opposite direction so that the vehicle would move forward. It was important that every other aspect of the AEV was kept the same so that the only variable being tested was the motor placement. The codes used for the two separate runs can be found here under the Motor Configuration section.
Model 1: Both motors in the same direction
Model 2: motors facing in opposite directions
Energy v. Time Graph for both models. Model 1 in blue and Model 2 in orange.
Based on the data collected, the team will be using the configuration in Model 1 because it consumes less energy under the same circumstances as Model 2.