RoboCar: A Rapidly Deployable Open-Source Platform for Autonomous Driving Research

TL;DR

RoboCar is an open-source, modular, and cost-effective autonomous driving platform based on a 2018 KIA Soul EV, designed for rapid deployment and real-world testing in research environments.

Contribution

The paper presents RoboCar, a novel open-source platform that simplifies autonomous vehicle development with a modular design and real-world testing capabilities.

Findings

Successful real-world testing on Luxembourg City roads

Open-source availability encourages collaborative research

Platform supports various autonomous driving functions

Abstract

This paper introduces RoboCar, an open-source research platform for autonomous driving developed at the University of Luxembourg. RoboCar provides a modular, cost-effective framework for the development of experimental Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS), utilizing the 2018 KIA Soul EV. The platform integrates a robust hardware and software architecture that aligns with the vehicle's existing systems, minimizing the need for extensive modifications. It supports various autonomous driving functions and has undergone real-world testing on public roads in Luxembourg City. This paper outlines the platform's architecture, integration challenges, and initial test results, offering insights into its application in advancing autonomous driving research. RoboCar is available to anyone at https://github.com/sntubix/robocar and is released under an open-source MIT license.