xBOT – A Versatile Robot to Assist Testing of Autonomous-Connected Vehicles

Principal Investigator(s):

Sridhar Lakshmanan, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering – University of Michigan-Dearborn
Paul Richardson, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering – University of Michigan-Dearborn
Weidong Xiang, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering – University of Michigan-Dearborn

Project Abstract:
This project aims to develop a robot (xBOT) that is customized for testing autonomous-connected vehicles. The xBOT platform itself is an automated-connected and modified Segway Ninebot© with an external shell that allows it to behave, and be perceived, as a free-moving Pedestrian, Scooter, Bicycle, Motorbike, or full-sized Vehicle in actual street environments. The objectives of the project are to ruggedize the platform, provide a user-friendly interface to easily program the platform’s motion, integrate the platform into the Mcity OS, allow the platform to communicate, and be synchronized, with other static and dynamic traffic elements, and achieve all this under a complete life-cycle cost of $10,000 per robot.

Institution(s): University of Michigan – Dearborn

Award Year: 2022

Research Thrust(s): Control & Operations, Enabling Technology, Infrastructure Design & Management

Project Form(s):
Project Information Form