Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) Prototype

My First Engineering Project
Team Lead & Hull Designer | 2023

Project Overview

Developed a 1:20 scale autonomous surface vehicle prototype for environmental monitoring applications in coastal waters. Served as primary hull designer while contributing to control system programming.

Key Contributions

  • Hull Design:

    • Optimized catamaran configuration using FreeCAD
    • 3D-printed ABS plastic structure
    • Stability analysis for wave heights ≤ 0.5m
  • Systems Integration:

    • Assisted Python programming for GPS navigation
    • Implemented basic obstacle avoidance logic
    • Designed waterproof sensor compartments

Technical Specifications

ParameterValue
Length117 cm
Power SourceLiPo Battery (12V)
SensorsGPS, IMU, Ultrasonic
ProgrammingPython/Raspberry Pi

Project Status

Current Phase: Prototype testing in controlled environments
Next Steps: OpenCV integration for visual navigation


Challenges Solved

  1. Waterproofing: Developed silicone-sealed electronics bays
  2. Weight Distribution: Balanced battery/motor placement
  3. Control Logic: Basic PID implementation for course keeping

Related Projects

This remains my primary engineering initiative to date. Explore other academic work.