Formula Student FEUP: Racing Towards Autonomy

Blog by Formula Student FEUP.

Formula Student FEUP will have Autonomous Systems with Eurocircuits

Formula Student FEUP is a team established in 2021 at the University of Porto. So far, the team has developed and competed internationally with its first prototype, during the 2023 season. With a solid ground to continue the development, the team has embarked on a higher challenge: developing a better-performing EV prototype, now with autonomous-driving capabilities as the differentiating key feature!

To do this, the team, with Eurocircuits’ help, is currently introducing autonomous-driving capabilities on the first prototype. This will be pivotal to developing a strong foundation on the used technologies, in parallel with the development of the second prototype.

This prototype will be thoroughly tested during 2024, whilst the team will also compete in Formula Student UK, Formula Student Switzerland and Formula Student Portugal at the Concept Class competitions – hopefully validating the development made. The main goal for the present cycle is to compete at Formula Student Germany in 2025 with a prototype capable of finishing all the dynamic events at the EV competition.

At the moment, the team has been soldering and testing the PCBs that will enable the first prototype to drive autonomously! These encompass:

1. The Master

The Master PCB acts as a low-level central component of the vehicle’s autonomous system. It is built around a Teensy 4.1 microcontroller, which executes a state machine for the vehicle. This state machine is in constant operation, analyzing inputs from the entire system to update the vehicle’s status, referred to as the Autonomous System Status. Moreover, it processes information to be sent to the Autonomous Systems PC via a CAN interface. This PCB is crucial for the real-time management and coordination of the autonomous vehicle’s functions.

2. The Autonomous Mission Indicator (AMI)

The AMI is designed to initiate the desired mission according to the specific event in which the prototype is participating. The Autonomous System Responsible (ASR) selects the correct mission by pressing one of seven buttons, each associated with a different mission. Upon selection, a corresponding LED lights up, and the AMI communicates the chosen mission to the Master PCB. This feature allows for flexible and precise control over the vehicle’s autonomous operations.

Other PCBs include the  Autonomous Systems Shutdown Circuit Logic and the Autonomous System Status Indicators. Collectively, these PCBs form the backbone of the autonomous prototype’s electrical system, demonstrating the team’s innovative approach to addressing the challenges of autonomous mobility in Formula Student competitions, thanks to Eurocircuits for their pivotal support.