Development of a concept for a lightweight, autonomous vehicle

Abstract

This master thesis addresses the development process of a concept for a small, autonomous vehicle with a special focus on its lightness. After the theoretical background research and benchmarking, the basic and technical requirements for the concept were established. In order to assess the possible outcomes of specific areas of development, a methodical evaluation of the different options was performed by recognising their strengths and weaknesses and defining a hierarchy of criteria. With all decisions made and developed, a CAD model of the vehicle was built in CATIA V5 with all the considered features. The concept is intended to be used for first- and last-mile connections and to have a dual use as a passenger shuttle and a small cargo transport. It is also a requirement that it is adapted for wheelchair users, for which a securement system inside the vehicle was added, as well as means for them to access the vehicle, which would also be of use for loading goods. Therefore, a concept of a system that combines this accessible entry and the door has been designed, which in addition is able to operate as a ramp or a lift. The autonomous driving features of the vehicle accomplish the conditions for the level 3 of automated driving according to the SAE. This means that the vehicle is able to self-drive on fixed roads and under certain conditions thanks to its sensors and dedicated network. Besides, a safety driver will always be on-board to oversee the operation of the vehicle and take over the control when required. A great lightweight potential is expected since the whole structure of the vehicle consists of sandwich panels for both the floor and the upper frame. At the same time, cut-outs on the substructure panel allow for fitting several components inside of the floor, included a flat battery pack, which frees space in other areas of the vehicle. In the end, this project offers a starting point for potential projects that delve into the further development of the concept, its competencies and characteristics.