Mechatronics design and implementation of driver assistance technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems

The mechatronics design, testing, and implementation of various technologies for driver assisted guidance and control of vehicles in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) is presented. Driver assisted guidance and control in ITS include applications such as lane keeping, intelligent cruise control, and obstacle identification and avoidance. These driver assistance functions require development of mechatronics sensing, human machine interface, and other related technologies. The designs of several mechatronics systems developed for this purpose are discussed. These include: 1. An all-digital magnetic sensing system that would provide reliable sensing of vehicle position from roadway imbedded magnets for lane keeping. 2. A robotic system for installation of the magnets on the roadway. 3. A human-machine interface for driver assistance. 4. An all-accelerometer INS (inertial navigation system) for dead reckoning of vehicle positions for GPS (global position system) based lane keeping. 5. A laser based sensing system for intelligent cruise control.