Group 1

Autonomous Parking System

1. Camera Configuration:

   • Current Idea: Using 4 cameras.

   • Suggestion: Utilize a single camera for navigation to simplify the system. A single camera mounted on the robot should be sufficient for detecting and navigating to parking spots.

2. Parking Lot Management:

   • Requirement: The system should handle more than one parking lot. Use H detection or CV2 to detect the empty parking lot. Try OpenCV first! Then using YOLO.

   • Steps:

     1. Identify Parking Lots: Implement a method to recognize multiple parking lots.

     2. Choose a Parking Spot: Develop an algorithm to select an available parking spot.

     3. Parking Maneuvers: Implement both parallel and perpendicular parking algorithms.

        • Parallel Parking: Pay special attention to the steering mechanism, as it is more complex.

        • Perpendicular Parking: This is typically simpler than parallel parking.

Hardware Considerations:

1. Servos and Wheels:

   • Addition: Consider adding servos for precise control of steering.

   • Omniwheels: Use omniwheels to improve maneuverability, allowing the robot to move in any direction without changing its orientation.

2. Camera Placement:

   • Current Idea: Four cameras.

   • Suggestion: Reduce to two cameras if necessary, but ideally, a single camera on the car should suffice. This can reduce complexity and potential issues with data integration from multiple sources.

Problem Breakdown:

1. Subproblem Identification:

   • Break down the main problem (auto parking) into smaller, manageable subproblems.

   • Examples of subproblems:

     • Detection: Detecting the parking lot and available spots.

     • Navigation: Navigating to the chosen parking spot.

     • Parking: Executing the parking maneuver (parallel or perpendicular).

Additional Suggestions:

1. Algorithm Development:

   • Use computer vision techniques to process the camera feed and identify parking spots.

   • Develop path planning algorithms to navigate from the current position to the parking spot.

   • Implement control algorithms for smooth and accurate steering and movement during parking.

2. Testing and Iteration:

   • Test the system in various conditions to ensure reliability.

   • Iterate on the design based on test results, focusing on improving accuracy and robustness.

Final Thoughts:

• Keep the design as simple as possible while ensuring functionality.

• Focus on modular development, allowing each part of the system to be developed and tested independently before integration.

Tomorrow Target

• Robotics: Mount Ultrasonic sensor, camera and get them all working.

• Deep Learning: camera model which could find the empty parking lot and find the center, do a prototype.