Autonomous Cup Car with Vision Control

Embedded Control Systems Competition Winner

May 2025

🏆 1st Place - Microcomputer Systems II Project

CPID ControlFRDM-KL25ZComputer VisionReal-Time Systems

Overview

A PID-controlled autonomous vehicle using the FRDM-KL25Z development board and line camera vision system. The project achieved the fastest track time in the Microcomputer Systems II class competition through optimized control algorithms and real-time path tracking.

The Challenge

Designing a control system that could reliably follow a track line at maximum speed while handling sharp turns and varying lighting conditions, all within the constraints of a resource-limited embedded platform.

The Solution

Implemented a tuned PID controller with adaptive parameters, integrated a line camera for path detection, and developed efficient real-time algorithms for autonomous navigation with sub-millisecond response times.

Key Features

  • 1st place finish - fastest track time in class
  • PID controller with tuned parameters
  • Line camera vision system for path tracking
  • Real-time autonomous navigation algorithms
  • Motor control with PWM for precise speed regulation
  • Adaptive algorithm for handling different track conditions

Technical Details

  • C programming on ARM Cortex-M0+ processor
  • Custom PID implementation with anti-windup
  • Linear camera array processing and filtering
  • Real-time path detection algorithms
  • PWM motor control with deadband compensation
  • Interrupt-driven sensor reading for low latency
  • Calibration routines for sensor normalization
  • State machine for race start and stop detection
Edward Serna | Computer Engineering Portfolio