Currrent Teaching

ESE 615 F1/10 Autonomous Racing Cars (2020-present)


University of Pennsylvania
Course Type: Graduate Course, Lecture Style: Formal Lecture + Practical Course
In this course we will work hands-on and lab centered for everyone who is interested in the field of artificial intelligence, motion planning, control theory, and applied machine learning. From the very beginning we will introduce you to both a simulation environment and real hardware: Our 1/10th-scale autonomous race car. We will not only teach you the fundamentals of autonomous driving in the field of perception, planning and control and how to program them. We will also show you how to bring your autonomous driving algorithms on the real F1TENTH Hardware. By focusing on the racing environment you will also learn how to develop algorithms that operate on the edge of vehicle dynamics: High accelerations, high velocities and high computation frequencies. In the 15 week course we will provide you the most comprehensive learning experience in the field of autonomous driving and teach you about the theory and programming of methods and algorithms in the field of perception, mapping, localization, trajectory planning and control. As an add on we will have a discussion about the moral implications of autonomous systems. After attending the course you will have a comprehensive overview of the perception, planning and control methods used in autonomous driving. You will be able to select the appropriate method and algorithm for various autonomous driving problems and then implement it with appropriate code. In addition you are able to program the F1TENTH Autonomous Race car to drive fast and safe around a racetrack.
Video Material Available online ; Course Material Available online

Teaching History

Artificial Intelligence in Automotive Technology (2018-2021)


Technical University of Munich – Institute of Automotive Technology
Course Type: Graduate Course, Lecture Style: Formal Lecture
After participation in the course, students will have a comprehensive overview of the methods of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Students are able to select the appropriate machine learning method for various problems and then implement it with the appropriate code. In addition, the students are able to tackle current problems in vehicle technology (e.g. autonomous driving) using machine learning methods. he lecture covers all relevant aspects in the field of „Artificial Intelligence“ with a special focus on „Machine Learning“ and „Deep Learning“ techniques. In addition, all theoretical aspacets will be related to automotive technology topics. The content of the lectures covers and overall introdution to the field of artificial intelligence, perception, supervised and unsupverised learning, path finding, deep neuronal networks, recurrent neural networks, reinforcement learning as well as applied artificial intelligence.
Video Material Available online ; Course Material Available online

 

Vehicle Dynamics of Passenger Cars: Single Track Model, Driving Test, Active Systems (2018-2020)


Technical University of Munich – Institute of Automotive Technology
Course Type: Graduate Course, Lecture Style: Formal Lecture
The lecture offers an overview over methods for evaluating driving behavior and tuning, driving maneuvers, terminology, sensors, measuring equipment, data logging, testing environments, and documentation. The theory of the bicycle model, definition of under-/oversteer, critical and characteristic behavior, self-steering behavior as well as test maneuvers, characteristic parameters and measurements to evaluate the stationary and instationary steering behavior are covered. Furthermore, the brake-steering behavior, the load-change reaction, the self-alignment of the steering, cross-wind behavior, directional stability, and the oscillation stability of trailers are discussed. Properties and design of suspension systems (springs & dampers), steering systems, kinematics and compliance of chassis systems, semi-active and active suspension systems, and rear steering systems are part of the lecture as well.

 

Design of Electric Vehicles: Charging Technology and Energy Grid (2015-2018)


Technical University of Munich – Institute of Automotive Technology
Course Type: Graduate Course, Lecture Style: Formal Lecture
Having participated in this course the students have gained an overall overview of the boundaries and differences of electromobility compared to conventional solutions as well as of relevant components in electric automobiles. Further more they have aquired certain knowledge about the develompment, packaging and topology of electric vehicles. They are able to characterize certain components such as the eletrified drive chain or energy-storage systems and to describe their functioning. Moreover, they are in a position to assess the construction/dimensioning of, for instance, drive and battery.

 

Race Car Technologies (2014-2020)


Technical University of Munich – Institute of Automotive Technology
Course Type: Graduate Course, Lecture Style: Formal Lecture
After participated this course the students have gained an overall overview of the requirements and the environment race cars. They are able to distinguish between the design goals of race cars and road cars. Moreover, they are able to understand how regulations for different race series are build up. Besides, the students are capable of evaluating race car vehicle dynamics, and know a lot about design goals of race cars. Furthermore, they are able to analyse race data and know the goals for the aerodynamic development. In this course the following relevant aspects and components concerning the development and use of race cars are discussed: introduction & regulations; development targets: race car – road car; racing tyres; aerodynamics; fiber-reinforced composites; suspension; measurement engineering; car adjustment; drivetrains; racing driver experience

 

Automotive Methods: CAN-Bus Technologies (2014-2018)


Technical University of Munich – Institute of Automotive Technology
Course Type: Undergraduate Course, Lecture Style: Seminar
For the specific preparation for of student research projects we provide various seminars of different topics that are offered for students.Each training topic is covered in one appointment with presentation and exercises. In this seminar we provide a holistic insight in the field of CAN-Bus technologies: What is the CAN protocol? Who can we setup a physical CAN-Bus System? How does a CAN-massage look like? Which tools can be used to display CAN-messages?

 

Electric Mobility: Power Electronics for Electric Vehicles (2013-2017)


Technical University of Munich – Institute of Automotive Technology
Course Type: Undergraduate Course, Lecture Style: Practical Course
The lab is introducing the students to the topic of electric mobility. The experiments are designed and arranged to teach the basic knowledge of the components existing in electric drive trains. In addition to the components used in electric drive trains knowledge about infrastructure and charging technologies will be imparted. The course shows problems in the range of electric mobility and is also introducing possible solutions. Furthermore, the course is also focussed on new problems coming up with the electrification of vehicles. During the course the topic of electric mobility will be discussed in general but the practical experiments are focused on the Quadrad (bike on four wheels) of the Institute and its components. That means that for measurements which have to be done at a real motor the students have use the Quadrad-motor.