Project A

Description: In the first year of Automotive Engineering, we were tasked with designing and building a Funcar within specific restrictions. These included set measurements, maximum power, braking power, and speed. We were free to choose our concept but were limited to a €500 budget, necessitating the acquisition of sponsored parts to complete the car.

My Contribution: I primarily focused on the dashboard behind the steering wheel. Utilizing a webpage displayed in full-screen mode, the dashboard presented the speed, RPM of the engine, current gear, and cooling water temperature, all powered by a Raspberry Pi. The displayed information was sourced from a set of Arduino's. A HAL sensor near the front wheels measured the car's speed, while another HAL sensor on an outgoing engine shaft measured the engine's RPM. The Arduinos then transmitted the data to the Raspberry Pi via the IIC bus. Given the Honda CX500 motorcycle’s sequential gearbox, we tracked the car's gear by installing two push buttons near the gear stick, one in front and one behind it.

Challenges and Achievements: Unfortunately, the evening before the test day, our display broke due to excessive tension when assembled in its frame. Despite this setback, the project was a great learning experience and a lot of fun. We were proud to win the prize for the best car among all project groups!