The brake testing tested the difference between braking with coasting, power brake, and servo technology. Each braking method presented very different results. The code for the different braking methods can be examined here.
What are you current AEV findings?
Between coasting, power braking, and servo it was found that that each technique had a very different outcome. With coasting, the vehicle would travel about double the distance that it travelled before braking. The momentum took it a while to come to a stop. Next, power braking was tested by having the vehicle reverse in order to stop. The vehicle would take a while to slow down, but the time difference was much shorted than the coasting. It seems that the servo was the most efficient way to brake the vehicle. Instead of traveling multiple feet, the vehicle would stop within inches of the brake command being applied. Figure one shows the servo.
How does the research support these findings?
Through multiple trials for each braking system, these findings can be supported.The research shows that momentum acts on the AEV. With coasting, the AEV won’t stop until friction forces a stop, forcing it to go a long distance. Likewise, using the reverse() function forces the AEV to stop with using extra energy while still going an extra distance. The servo allows the vehicle to stop as soon as the brake command is used and in each trial, this result was consistent.
How does/will this make your AEV more marketable?
In aR&D 1, the servo will stop at the snap of your fingers. Extra distance isn’t traveled because the servo is so precise and efficient in the way it works. The advanced technology is also a selling point to show the added complexity of the vehicle.