A low-cost platform for autonomous vehicle research
and feedback controls education has been presented. The
platform costs $215 and is controlled by an Arduino Uno
and Raspberry Pi working together. The system is capable
of hard real-time control with update frequencies of 100-150 Hz. The system uses only free, open-source
software. Students can run experimental tests using the
platform through a simple web interface without having
to program the Arduino or the Raspberry Pi. At the
conclusion of a test, students can download the realtime
data for the test. The system has been used in two
lecture demonstrations during a first course on feedback
controls. Assessment data from pre/post quizzes shows
that students are learning important feedback controls
concepts as a result of the lectures and demonstrations.