Simulink Student Challenge Winners

1^st Place

MOBATSim: Model-based Autonomous Traffic Simulation Framework

Technische Universität Dresden – Mustafa Saraoğlu

The MOBATSim project demonstrates how Simulink can be used to develop a framework for simulating and analyzing control algorithms for autonomous vehicles. MOBATSim allows users to define safety goals and describe driving scenarios that can be used to test the performance of various autonomous vehicle functions. The project primarily leverages simulation-based fault injection to determine how low-level faults from vehicle components, such as sensors or communication modules, can impact the behavior of the overall system. The simulation results can be animated in 3D worlds created in Simulink 3D Animation to provide a better understanding of the overall results and system behavior. This project is an example of how Simulink can be used to model and visualize a variety of autonomous driving scenarios.

2^nd Place

Humanoid Robot

Donetsk National Technical University – Ilya Azin

The Humanoid Robot project uses Simulink to develop and test a model of a two-legged robot’s lower limbs. Simscape Multibody was used to create a physical model of the system based on real-world connections between the various components that make up the bipedal robot. Within the model, the friction forces and center of mass were continuously calculated using imported CAD models of the 3D printed components. The robot’s simulated behavior was visualized using Simscape Mechanics Explorer to illustrate the dynamics of the robot, whether it was walking or falling over. By generating code from the model and deploying it onto hardware, the project was able to test the robot’s real-world performance when performing a squatting motion. This project is an excellent example of how Simulink can be used to model, simulate and iteratively test robot control systems.

3^rd Place

Dynamic Simulation of u-solar-CHP with Simulink

La Sapienza University of Rome – Roberto Tascioni

This project demonstrates the mathematical model of the micro solar combined heating and power plant developed for the European Union project InnovaMicrosolar. Using Simulink, the model maximizes electricity and heat generation for domestic and small business residential buildings. This is achieved by analyzing input data, including weather data for specific cities and the position of the sun throughout the day, to choose the operation mode of the plant to maximize energy generation. By simulating and visualizing the behavior of the entire power generation system, this project helps provide a better understanding of how micro solar plants can be used to fulfill the energy demands of small to medium sized buildings depending on various environmental conditions.