The world of autonomy awaits
The Autonomous Systems Engineering (ASE) project centers around the custom built ASE-Rover-1, a modular, powerful and robust robotic vehicle that can be equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras to react to the environment autonomously. In groups of three, students choose a specific subdomain of autonomous systems to research and use the ASE-Rover-1 to implement, test and validate their ideas. The ASE-Team provides a plethora of topics and research questions as well as support during the project. Students will deliver a well written thesis along with the source code of their implementations and make a presentation showing their findings. For detailed course information see the docs page.
ASE/Rover-1
About the Rover
The brains of the Rover-1 are powered by the Debix, a modular and powerful single board computer that runs Linux. The single board computer comes with many interconnections making it a suitable candidate for robotics projects. Equipped with 8GB of RAM, a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) the Debix can handle intensive payloads such as Computer Vision and Machine Learning. The ASE/Rover-1 is built with an aluminum chassis, and designed with extensibility and modularity in mind. Students are encouraged to augment the Rover to suit their needs.
Course planning
Introduction Lecture (meet the team)
NU-3B05
This lecture is open to anyone interested in the project and will give you an overview and introduce you to the daily supervising team. Some research topics in the field of autonomous systems will be presented and discussed. Naturally, you will also get the opportunity to ask questions before applying. Note: this lecture will be held in-person only.
Research topic confirmation
Selected students will meet with the ASE team to confirm their research topic and discuss the start of the project. After this point, students can start their literature studies and research.
Research and literature studies
The official start of the project. You will be introduced to the ASE/Rover-1 platform. This time is used to familiarize yourself with the software and hardware side of things and to continue your research.
Development and testing
This will be the peak development period. To test, validate and analyze your research you will be developing your idea using the provided ASE/Rover-1 platform.
Thesis roundup
Time to get your final thesis report ready for submission and to finalize testing on the Rover. You are expected to present your work and demo your work to the group and friends and family. The dates listed below are set in stone and non-negotiable. Please consider this when applying. For detailed information on what is expected see the docs page.
REQUIRED:- June 7th, 2024: First draft submission deadline - June 14th, 2024: First draft feedback from supervisors
CHOOSE ONE:
- June 27th, 2024: First presentation opportunity - July 4th, 2024: Last presentation opportunity
REQUIRED:
- July 7th, 2024: Final thesis submission
Submission and grading
We will get to work and grade your thesis. You will be notified of the results by email.
What you'll be handing in
50%
Executed work
Your submitted work will be graded based on its quality, your personal insights, planning and commitment, and independence. During the course, the daily supervising team will monitor your individual progress and will advise the managing professor on this part of the final grade.
40%
Thesis
Your written thesis report contains your research, experiments, findings, improvements and an assessement of your personal contributions and the contributions of your colleagues. Your team will hand in one thesis, however, each student will supply an individual evaluation of their own contributions and those of their colleagues.
10%
Presentation and demo
Your work and a working demo of your system will be presented to us, collegues and anyone you want to invite. Presentation skills and contents of the presentation weigh approximately equally for this part of the grade.
Things you should know before applying
Team size
You will be working in a team of 3 students.
Workload
This is a part-time course (40h/week). We expect your full commitment for the duration of the course.
Meetings
We meet once per week. We expect you to be present at all meetings. All meetings will be held in-person only.
Grading
You will be graded individually, based on your personal contribution and effort during the course.
Selection procedure
What do we look for in applying students?
Since the ASE Team is providing students with existing Rovers, the focus of the project should be on implementing and testing complex systems directly onto the provided hardware. Since this project encompasses a wide range of complex CS subjects, we seek enthusiastic students with a willingness to learn.
Ready to race?
Daily supervisors/support
- Max Gallup: daily supervisor, hardware design and development- Elias Groot: daily supervisor, software design and development
- Hugo van Wezenbeek: hardware design and development
- Eduardo Lira: software design and development
- Niels Althuisius: electro-mechanical development
Supervisors
- Dr. N. (Natalia) Silvis-Cividjian: first reader, BSc thesis supervisor- J. (Joshua) Kenyon: second reader, junior teacher
Please do not contact the daily supervisors or managing professor directly. All questions should be directed to ase@vu.nl
Work we like to show
Thermal testing of the Rover's Motors.
October 2023
Initial PCB Design
October 2023
Prototype of the Rover
January 2024
Autonomous Driving cars from previous NXP Cups.
October 2022
Testing of the Debix Model A
January 2024Thank you for your support
