Ridon Vehicle: Drive-by-Wire System for Scaled Vehicle Platform and Its Application on Behavior Cloning

For autonomous driving research, using a scaled vehicle platform is a viable alternative compared to a full-scale vehicle. However, using embedded solutions such as small robotic platforms with differential driving or radio-controlled (RC) car-based platforms can be limiting on, for example, sensor package restrictions or computing challenges. Furthermore, for a given controller, specialized expertise and abilities are necessary. To address such problems, this paper proposes a feasible solution, the Ridon vehicle, which is a spacious ride-on automobile with high-driving electric power and a custom-designed drive-by-wire system powered by a full-scale machine-learning-ready computer. The major objective of this paper is to provide a thorough and appropriate method for constructing a cost-effective platform with a drive-by-wire system and sensor packages so that machine-learning-based algorithms can be tested and deployed on a scaled vehicle. The proposed platform employs a modular and hierarchical software architecture, with microcontroller programs handling the low-level motor controls and a graphics processing unit (GPU)-powered laptop computer processing the higher and more sophisticated algorithms. The Ridon vehicle platform is validated by employing it in a deep-learning-based behavioral cloning study. The suggested platform’s affordability and adaptability would benefit broader research and the education community.

Brake by wire control with pedal feedback and brake boost

"By wire" technology merged into multiple vehicular subsystems, including gear changing, drive, and braking systems. The brake by wire system is developed to overcome the problems associated with the integration of mechanical and hydraulic systems in novel vehicular systems. Even though brake by wire systems has potential advantages, the conventional brake systems' tactile sensation will be removed if migrated to the electrical by wire control scheme. This paper proposes a novel control mechanism that provides amplification of force, scaling of position replication, and a virtual spring-damper based pedal retraction which provides bilateral brake force feedback to the driver's pedal similar to the hydraulic brake system. The proposed system performance was simulated and tested using a bilateral teleoperation system with disturbance observers (DOB) and reaction force observers (RFOB). The proposed system provides pedal force amplification and brake force feedback to the driver's pedal using RFOBs. The virtual spring retracts the brake pedal, similar to a mechanical pedal retraction system. The system simulation and experimental results provide evidence of the proposed system's force amplification, position scaling, and pedal reaction capabilities.