Campus Review Vol 29. Issue 9 september 2019 | Seite 29

TECHNOLOGY
campusreview.com.au
The fully autonomous M19-D race car. Photo: Monash University
Hands-free formula
Monash students build hi‑tech
driverless race car.
By Wade Zaglas
I
t took three years to make, but Australia’s
first student-built, fully autonomous
race car was able to finally display
its considerable capabilities at the
recent Monash University Open Day at
Clayton Campus.
Showcasing the latest in driverless
automotive technology, including “complex
environment perception algorithms”
and “robust actuation hardware”, the
M19-D drove around the racetrack fully
autonomously.
Current and prospective students, staff,
driverless car enthusiasts and the wider
community were invited to watch the first
public demonstration of the M19-D as part
of the university’s Autonomous Showcase.
Monash Motorsport’s chief executive
officer, Paras Bhutiani, said the M19-D is
“competition-ready for the Formula Student
driverless competition in Germany in 2020”.
“We first began development on the
M19-D way back in 2016, with over 200
undergraduate students from Monash
working tirelessly to bring it to fruition. The
talented team at Monash designed and
built its innovative and high-performance
features to create the state-of-the-art
driverless vehicle, which we’re excited to
compete with in the upcoming Formula
Student driverless competition,” he said.
The M19-D’s key features include:
∞ the ability to detect the racetrack and
perceive the environment in real time
∞ an advanced laser scanner, also known
as a LiDAR unit
∞ a stereoscopic camera system that can
perceive distance similar to that of the
human eye, using artificial intelligence
∞ a proven electric powertrain with more
than 1000km of on-track testing
∞ a GPS unit that can accurately locate
the race car within a 10cm radius
∞ an emergency braking system with
complete redundancy in case of a
vehicle fault.
Aryaman Pandav, Monash Motorsport’s
driverless chief engineer, said leading the
build of the M19-D has provided him with
job-ready skills when he finishes his double
degree in mechatronics engineering and
science at the end of 2020.
“I’ve been part of the Monash Motorsport
team since 2017. Since joining, I’ve not only
gained hands-on engineering experience,
but also the strong leadership skills required
to excel in my career and lead a team
effectively,” he said.
“I’ve also created strong industry
connections through networking with Monash
alumni, partners and sponsors that will best
prepare me for today’s workforce. Without
being part of the Monash Motorsport team,
this wouldn’t have been possible.”
The Faculty of Engineering’s director
of student teams, Dr Scott Wordley, said:
“The students have done an outstanding
job building the M19-D – the first student-
made, fully autonomous race car in
Australia. This is a true testament to their
tenacity and commitment.”
The dean of engineering, Professor
Elizabeth Croft, said Monash Motorsport
was a leading example of the type of
internationally competitive, multidisciplinary
and entrepreneurial student teams the
university has to offer.
“Monash Motorsport students are highly
capable designers and competitors,
with almost two decades of experience
in vehicle design innovation within a
successful student-led enterprise,” she said.
“Student teams like Monash Motorsport
offer outstanding opportunities for our
students to develop technical, employability
and entrepreneurial skills on a truly
international scale.”
Monash Motorsport is a student-run team
comprising more than 130 active members
who design, build, test and race Formula
SAE cars in Australia and across the globe.
Competing since 2000, Monash
ranks second in the world in the internal
combustion category, and broke ground
recently by ranking seventh in the world
with its first electric vehicle. ■
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