Capstone team designs go-kart powered by the sun
Team 25503’s solar-powered go-kart uses cameras and sensors to autonomously traverse racetracks.
A go-kart raced past the finish line at the College of Engineering’s second Winter Craig M. Berge Design Day, but there was no one in the driver's seat. This was the result of the work by Interdisciplinary Capstone Team 25503, which designed an autonomous go-kart that is powered by the sun.
"These students created something high schoolers can actually build on," said Larry Head, project sponsor and director of the Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Program.
Head, also a professor of systems and industrial engineering, asked the team to build a system that collected camera and sensor data around the vehicle in real time. An algorithm processed this data to detect lanes and track edges, then signaled adjustments to the steering wheel motor and braking system.
The kart completed two independent laps around the circuit – proof that the team’s autonomous design could be replicated for Racing the Sun, an annual program that encourages Arizona high school students to convert gasoline-powered go-karts into solar-powered and electric go-karts.
They won the Sharon ONeal Award for Best System Software and Design and a $1,000 prize.