Remote-Controlled Electric Basic Utility Vehicle

The design and implementation of a radio control (RC) system for a basic utility vehicle (BUV) is described. Its primary aim is to serve as an engineering and artificial intelligence research testbed for undergraduate students. The BUV was originally designed and fabricated by students using electric golf cart components, stock metal, and Unistrut. The design of the vehicle is modular so that its function can be changed quickly, and upgrades and repairs can be made easily. The RC system is one such upgrade which allows for the remote operation of the vehicle and lays the groundwork for the future development of fully autonomous functionality.