Date:9.18.15
Time: 9:44 AM
Participants: Logan HS DE Class

On Friday we had a class discussion with the goal of identifying the parameters of the Autonomous Vehicle challenge for all the students involved. No video of the route was available yet as it was still being edited. That footage will be posted soon to YouTube for students to view.

The discussion focused on what our overall objective was and what would be considered a success in the end. We have a lot of variables that have to be considered including the 1/2 mile distance the vehicle has to travel. Students began to brainstorm ideas that could be used. They were encouraged to not set their mind on one track until they could view the acutal route video to better visualize the problem.

We are looking for a donated RC vehicle that can be used for our electronics test bed. We will then scale the vehicle up in size.

Planning Meeting with Trane

During the summer of 2015, Trane Manufacturing Engineer, Greg Sutton and high school DE instructor Mr. Johnston. met to discuss the parameters of a project that students could partner with Trane to create.

The outcome of the meeting was a plan to design and build an Autonomous Vehicle that would travel from Plant 4 to Plant 7 on the Trane campus. Logan students in the PLTW-Digital Electronics and Robotics course would design and build the prototype. Trane would define the technical parameters. This prototype would of course not be a full sized vehicle but a scaled down model to fit within the budget and constraints of the project. The main purpose is to give students the design/engineering opportunity and experience working with a business partner like Trane.

Trane Plant 4

The distance between Plant 4 and Plant 7 is approximately 1/2 mile.

Trane Plant 7

Welcome to the Logan Ranger Autonomous Vehicle Blog

The Project Lead The Way- Digital Electronics class at Logan High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is partnering with Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, to design and build the Logan Ranger Autonomous Vehicle (AV), a vehicle capable of sensing its environment and navigating without human input.

AVs sense their surroundings with such techniques as radar, lasers, GPS, and computer vision. Advanced control systems interpret sensory information to identify appropriate navigation paths, as well as obstacles and relevant signage.

 The class will design, program and fabricate the AV with the following targeted goals:

1. Design and fabricate a vehicle which will autonomously drive from Trane Plant 4 (East Ave) to Trane Plant 7 (Losey Blvd)
2. Design the AV in such a way that a percentage of the transportation system will be powered by solar energy

The AV will be designed and fabricated at Logan High School. The target date for completion is summer 2016. Trane will provide technical support and help define the parameters of the project.

“Ingersoll Rand is committed to enriching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education through educational programs and campaigns, employee volunteerism and other initiatives,” said Bob Ellis, plant manager of Trane in La Crosse. “We are excited to work with the students at Logan High School on this innovative project.”

About Logan High School

Logan High School is situated on a 32-acre site in the La Crosse River Valley and has 850 students grades 9-12 with 75 teachers and 15 departments (over 50% of the staff have masters degrees). The School District of La Crosse serves a population of 80,000 that includes the entire city of La Crosse, which has approximately 55,000 residents. https://www.lacrosseschools.org/logan-high

About Ingersoll Rand and Trane

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane® — work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad