Title: TOPIC ABSTRACT FORM

College COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Proponent CANDOR, CECILLE LINDSAY A.
DELA RAMA, KRISTINE R.
MARCIANO, MELANIE A.

Program BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

Proposed Title: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE SELF-DRIVING
BUS
Background of the proposed Topic
Transportation plays a vital role in our society. Improved and faster transportation
solutions have numerous benefits, including expanding potential markets, aligning
supply and demand more efficiently, promoting specialization, increasing productivity,
and fostering innovation (Axhausen, 2017). Throughout history, the transition from
muscle-powered to steam-powered and then to fuel-powered transportation has been
a significant catalyst for industrialization and global economic growth, significantly
improving the lives of billions of people.

Automation holds the potential to address one of the remaining barriers to achieving
nearly unlimited growth in transportation, which is the reliance on human drivers.
While humans are skilled drivers, they are subject to limitations such as the need for
rest, the possibility of errors, and the cost of their time. Automated vehicles, on the
other hand, can operate without the need for a human driver. This impending
revolution can be likened to the industrial revolution, where production shifted from
individual artisans working meticulously on each product to automated mass
production overseen by a single engineer, resulting in the creation of thousands of
units per day.

The objective of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is to utilize information

technology, communication systems, sensor technology, and the internet in
transportation systems to enhance travel safety, reliability, and passenger
convenience. It aims to improve mobility, alleviate traffic congestion, and reduce fuel
consumption. Within ITS, an integral component is the intelligent traffic control system.

ITS holds significant potential for enhancing current transportation systems. While the
concept of ITS can be traced back to the 1970s, it was only after the inaugural ITS
world congress in Paris in 1994 that many countries began implementing intelligent
transport systems to develop and enhance existing traffic control systems.
Industrialized nations have widely adopted car navigation systems and traffic
information services. Notably, Japan has successfully implemented a vehicle
information and communication system, positioning it as the global leader in
operational intelligent transport systems.

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the intelligence exhibited by machines,

distinguishing it from the innate intelligence observed in humans and animals.
Prominent AI textbooks define this field as the study of "intelligent agents," which
encompasses systems capable of perceiving their surroundings and taking actions
that maximize their chances of achieving their objectives. Some common explanations
of artificial intelligence refer to machines that imitate "cognitive" functions associated
with human thinking, such as "learning" and "problem-solving".

The Internet of Things (IoT) pertains to a network of physical objects, also known as
"things," that are equipped with sensors, software, and other technologies. These
objects are utilized to establish connections and exchange data with other devices and
systems through the Internet.

An autonomous vehicle refers to a car that possesses the ability to perceive its
surroundings and function without any human intervention. It operates independently,
eliminating the need for a human driver to assume control of the vehicle or even be
present inside it. Similar to a conventional car, an autonomous vehicle is capable of
navigating any location and executing all tasks that a skilled human driver would
typically undertake.

Autonomous vehicles employ various methods to perceive their surroundings,

including radar, laser technology, GPS, odometer, and computer vision. The past
decade has witnessed significant advancements in automotive technology, particularly
in the realm of autonomous cars. While self-driving cars have recently gained attention
in the media, researchers have been experimenting with them for over 45 years.
These vehicles rely on a wide range of technologies and infrastructures to function
properly. Each vehicle continuously gathers and interprets extensive amounts of
information and must effectively interact with its environment. Some autonomous
vehicles update their maps based on sensory input, enabling them to maintain their
position even when conditions change or they enter unfamiliar territory.

Navigating the environment is a crucial capability for any mobile robot, encompassing
localization, obstacle detection, path planning, and vehicle control. The applications
for autonomous navigation of mobile robots span various domains, including
automated driving, assistance for the visually impaired and disabled, exploration of
hazardous areas, object transportation in industrial or office settings, and gathering
geographical information in unknown terrains, such as unmanned exploration of a new
planetary surface. To efficiently maintain a dynamic speed with the vehicle ahead or
an obstacle, distance measuring sensors are utilized. When changing lanes, a rotating
sensor controlled by a stepper motor is employed. The increasing severity of pollution
and global warming poses a significant threat to humanity. Vehicles powered by fossil
fuels are major contributors to this issue. In this context, the movement of the vehicle
is facilitated by green solar PV power, addressing the need for sustainable energy
sources.

Autonomous cars are equipped with advanced technology that enables them to
perceive their surroundings and navigate without human intervention. They have the
ability to detect traffic lights, compare the signals with pre-defined data, process the
information, and make decisions accordingly. For instance, when the car detects a red
traffic signal, it will come to a stop and resume its journey once the light turns green.
To enhance efficiency and reliability, the car is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor that
can detect approaching objects, allowing the vehicle to stop in advance.
The inclusion of the ultrasonic sensor is particularly helpful in situations where a
human driver might react slowly, such as when a person or animal unexpectedly
crosses the vehicle's path. This immediate response is crucial to prevent accidents
and protect both the driver and pedestrians. By promptly detecting obstacles and
sending the data to the processor, the car can swiftly stop and avoid potential
collisions.

Furthermore, our project incorporates a remote mode selection feature in addition to

the autonomous mode. This allows users to monitor the car's movements and control
it remotely through a desktop or mobile device. This provision primarily benefits end-
users, providing them with the ability to control the car's movements by commanding it
to move forward, backward, left, right, or stop using the remote interface.

Illustrative Diagram

Power
Supply/Solar
Panel

Camera

Light Detection
and Ranging

Ultrasonic
Raspberry Pi Monitor
Sensors

GPS Module

User Inputs
(Touchscreen
Display)

Iot Connectivity
(Cellular Modem)
Statement of the Problem
The proponents embarked on this study to develop a prototype of a self-driving bus.
The main challenge of this project is ensuring the safe and widespread adoption of the
self-driving bus.

Research Questions
The proponents came up with these questions:

1. Will self-driving buses not become a burden, and are they truly safe?
2. Will the self-driving bus still function smoothly if it is mixed with other types of
vehicles?
3. What happens if the self-driving bus gets into or causes an accident? Does it know
what to do?

Research Objectives
The general objective of the project was to design and develop a prototype
self-driving bus. The other specific objectives were as follows:

1. Designing the chassis and physical structure of the self-driving bus to

accommodate the necessary components and solar panels for energy generation.
2. Developing a program for the Raspberry Pi that can control the bus to make it work
without human intervention.
3. Integrating Raspberry Pi as the central control unit of the bus to process sensor
data, control the car's movements, and enable autonomous driving functionality.
4. To evaluate the performance of the self-driving bus through testing and;
5. To analyze the cost-efficiency of a self-driving bus.
Research Hypothesis
The following are the hypothesis of the study:

1. The prototype of an IoT-enabled Raspberry Pi-based self-driving car powered by

solar energy would represent a greener transportation solution.
2. Users will prefer a self-driving car powered by solar energy as a mode of
transportation more than a conventional vehicle.

Project Scope and Limitation

The scope of this project encompasses the design and implementation of a self-
driving car system utilizing a Raspberry Pi and powered primarily by solar energy, The
scope of this project encompasses the design and implementation of a self-driving car
system utilizing a Raspberry Pi and powered primarily by solar energy, integrated with
IoT (Internet of Things) capabilities. The project aims to create a functional prototype
that demonstrates the feasibility of a sustainable and autonomous transportation
solution with the power supply located on the roof of the vehicle. As the world seeks
cleaner and more sustainable transportation solutions, the idea of a self-driving car
powered by solar energy holds great promise. It addresses the rising concerns of fuel
costs and environmental impact associated with conventional combustion engine
vehicles. By harnessing solar energy for both propulsion and auxiliary systems, this
project aims to turn the concept of solar-powered self-driving cars into a reality.
Initially, the project will be limited to the development of solar-powered self-driving
cars with various models, ranging from compact to mid-size and potentially larger
vehicles.
The focus of the study is to design and develop a prototype of a self-driving bus. The
vehicle to be used as a prototype is an electric toy car, specifically a mini-bus. The
speed of the self-driving bus is constant at a specific speed, unlike traditional cars that
can stop anywhere; the self-driving bus has designated stations where it will
autonomously come to a halt. It should be emphasized that the bus will operate
autonomously, without any human intervention. As opposed to traditional cars, which
use fuels to operate, the self-driving bus will utilize solar energy as its power source.
This project will not focus on comparing traditional cars to self-driving ones but will
instead emphasize the development of an autonomous driving system to create a self-
driving bus.
Importance of the Study

This study will have significant effects on the community, transportation sector, current
researchers, the school, and future researchers.

Community
A solar-powered self-driving car reduces pollution, using clean energy for
transportation, leading to cleaner air. It's energy-efficient, saving on fuel costs, and
reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It showcases IoT and self-driving tech, inspiring
innovation and education. Plus, it improves traffic and safety, benefiting the
environment, economy, and community.
Transportation Sector
The results of the study may lead public and private transportation providers to
consider adopting solar-powered, self-driving car technology, potentially reducing
operational costs and offering eco-friendly transportation options to their customers.

Westmead International School

The school can benefit from this study by utilizing its findings. This research paper can
serve as an elaborative reference that professors, particularly in the engineering
department, can use to instruct students.

Future Researchers
The outcomes of this research could serve as an initial reference for upcoming
researchers tackling similar issues or topics. This study is expected to be highly
advantageous for them in their future research endeavors as it may lead to a more
comprehensive exploration of solar-powered vehicles and potential enhancements
that could further improve autonomous vehicles.