Design and analysis of an electric driver assist system for rush-hour navigation in dense urban traffic

We describe an electric driver assist system (EDAS) concept, where a vehicle can autonomously navigate and trail a leading vehicle with minimal human intervention. A DC hub-motor driven control system is designed, modelled and simulated using Simulink. The system designed for rush-hour urban settings with speeds of 0-5 Kmph, maintains about 1m separation from the front vehicle. The system uses inexpensive ultrasonic sensors and a tachometer to estimate distance and speed dynamically. The speed-control algorithm is successfully able to track typical rush-hour vehicular profiles. The EDAS has also been implemented on a model car using an Arduino and Beaglebone with acceptable real-time performance results.