Bachelor- und Projektarbeiten
Hier findest du alle Ausschreibungen von Projekt- und Bachelorarbeiten, die in Zusammenarbeit mit unserem Team gemacht werden können.
Achtung: Dieses Angebot ist nur für Studierende der ZHAW. Wenn dir ein Projekt gefällt, kontaktiere uns unter info@zurichuasracing.ch.
Electrics und Driverless
Enhancement of a Driverless System for a Formula Student Vehicle. (IT+ST+DS)
Depending on the chosen area of contribution, the project work may focus on one of the following core domains:
Perception Pipeline Integration
- Sensor data acquisition and synchronization (LiDAR, camera, GPS, IMU).
- Cone detection and classification algorithms.
- Data preprocessing and object tracking.
SLAM and Localization
- Implementation and tuning of SLAM algorithms suitable for dynamic environments.
- Sensor fusion for robust real-time localization.
- Mapping and loop closure strategies.
- Trajectory Generation and Motion Planning.
- Real-time trajectory planning based on perception and localization input.
- Collision-free path generation with optimization for speed and smoothness.
- Integration with vehicle dynamics constraints.
Mission Planner and State Machine
- Design of the high-level mission planner for race phases (start, exploration, lap).
- Development of a state machine to manage behavior and fail-safes.
- Interface with other modules for coordination and control logic.
Objectives
- Working implementation of the selected module (perception, SLAM, planning, or mission control).
- Integration with the overall driverless pipeline.
- Documentation of design decisions, implementation, and validation results.
Full description: Enhancement of a Driverless System for a Formula Student Vehicle
Distributed High-Performance Embedded Architecture for a Driverless Race Car. (IT+ET)
The goal of this thesis is to implement a reliable and high-performance communication interface between the DV stack (running on an Nvidia Jetson) and the VCU. This includes protocol design, synchronization strategies, and fallback mechanisms to ensure safe autonomous vehicle behavior across a distributed architecture.
Objectives
- Design a robust communication protocol between Nvidia Jetson (DV) and Linux-based VCU (e.g., over Ethernet, CAN)
- Evaluate latency, determinism, and bandwidth of different IPC methods suitable for embedded real-time systems
- Implement message synchronization, time-stamping, and error-handling strategies – Ensure separation of safety-critical (VCU) and compute-intensive (DV) functionalities – Develop fallback and safety procedures in case of communication loss or data inconsistencies
- Document the distributed architecture, implementation decisions, and integration for future handover
Full description: Distributed High-Performance Embedded Architecture for a Driverless Race Car
State-of-the-Art TSN Communication for an Autonomous Race Car. (ET+IT)
The goal of this thesis is to develop a TSN-based Communication Control Board (CCB) using readily available development boards to interface vehicle sensors and actuators with the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU). In a following Bachelor Thesis, this implementation is intended to replace the current CAN-based solution in the ZUR race car.
Objectives
- Design a TSN-based communication Network with evaluation boards
- Develop firmware to enable real-time TSN communication with sensors and actuators
- Document the system architecture and implementation for seamless team handover
Partnership
The thesis is conducted in collaboration with a leading TSN technology partner, providing expertise, TSN development tools, and validation equipment to ensure real-world compatibility and industry-grade testing.
Full description: State-of-the-Art TSN Communication for an Autonomous Race Car
Next generation Linux Real-Time VCU for a Driverless Race Car. (ET+IT+ST)
The goal of this thesis is to evaluate and implement an improved Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) architecture for the Driverless Formula Student vehicle. This includes identifying a more suitable Linux-based hardware platform and replacing the polling-based CAN communication model with an interrupt-driven approach to improve efficiency, latency, and system scalability.
Objectives
- Evaluate and benchmark Linux-based embedded platforms for real-time VCU deployment in a Driverless race car.
- Implement interrupt-based CAN message handling to improve communication latency and CPU efficiency.
- Integrate both Driverless (DV) and Electric Vehicle (EV) operation modes through clean software separation.
- Enable hardware abstraction, isolated testing, and rapid hardware replacement during race conditions.
- Document the architecture, implementation, and findings for effective team handover and future development.
Full description: Next generation Linux Real-Time VCU for a Driverless race car
Next Generation GNSS RTK-Based Ground Truth Measurement System for a Formula Student Driverless Race Car. (IT+ST+DS)
The goal of this thesis is to develop the next-generation GNSS RTK-based ground truth measurement system for Zurich UAS Racing’s driverless Formula Student vehicle. This involves enhancing the capabilities of the existing setup by improving accuracy, reliability, and usability. The work includes configuring the SparkFun GNSS RTK Base + Rover hardware, implementing a refined data logging architecture, and ensuring precise time synchronization with the vehicle’s systems. The system should operate in conjunction with the onboard Inertial Navigation System (INS) to provide high-fidelity vehicle positioning on the track. Additionally, tools for post-processing and visualization will be developed to facilitate system validation and performance analysis.
Objectives
- Develop and implement the next-generation GNSS RTK ground truth measurement system using the SparkFun GNSS RTK Base + Rover hardware.
- Integrate and synchronize the ground truth system with the vehicle’s onboard INS to enable accurate real-time positioning on the track.
- Create tools for data logging, post-processing, and visualization of ground truth trajectories to support system validation.
- Document enhancements made to the existing system, software improvements, and validation results, to support long-term maintainability and future development.
Full description: Next Generation GNSS RTK-Based Ground Truth Measurement System for a Formula Student Driverless Race Car
Mechanics
Development of a test concept for torsion testing and 3D-Scan of the Formula Student chassis. (MT)
As part of this project, two central tasks are to be carried out for the structural evaluation and documentation of the chassis: the experimental determination of torsional stiffness and the measurement of the chassis geometry using 3D scanning. The objective is to develop a suitable test setup that enables accurate measurement of the chassis’s torsional stiffness under defined boundary conditions. This includes the planning and design of the test rig, execution of the measurement procedure, and analysis of the resulting data. Concurrently, a 3D scan of the chassis will be performed and processed to overlay it with the existing CAD model. This comparison will serve to verify the manufacturing accuracy of the geometry and provide a validated basis for further finite element (FEM) analyses.
Objectives
- Development of a test rig for torsional stiffness measurement: Definition of suitable bearing and load application concepts, selection of the measurement method (e.g. dis-placement or angle measurement), as well as design and construction of the necessary devices.
- Performance of the torsion test: Practical performance of tests on the actual chassis under documented test conditions. Measurement data acquisition (e.g. torsion angle, applied torques) and plausibility check.
- Evaluation and interpretation: Calculation of the torsional stiffness from the measured data. Comparison with theoretical values from FEM analyses or empirical values. Discussion of possible deviations.
- 3D scan of the chassis: Planning and execution of a complete scan of the chassis structure (with optical or laser scanner, depending on availability).
- Preparation and comparison with CAD model: Creation of an overlayable point cloud or an STL model for geometry checking. Identification of possible deviations from the CAD template.
- Documentation and preparation of results: Complete description of the procedure, the methods used, as well as all results and conclusions.
- Recommendations for future tests or designs.
Full description: Development of a test concept for torsion testing and 3D-Scan of the Formula Student chassis
Enhancement of a cockpit mock-up for a Formula Student Vehicle. (MT)
The goal of this thesis is to develop an adjustable and modular cockpit test rig for Zurich UAS Racing’s Formula Student vehicle. The rig will allow for accurate evaluation and optimi-zation of ergonomic parameters such as steering wheel, seat, and pedal box positioning. The system must be easy to configure, representative of the final cockpit geometry, and suitable for use with multiple drivers during the design and testing phases. In addition to prototyping, ergonomic trials will be conducted to validate the design and inform further improvements to the final cockpit layout.
Objectives
- Analyse current ergonomic standards and review driver feedback from previous Zurich UAS Racing seasons.
- Develop and evaluate multiple design concepts for a modular, adjustable cockpit simulator.
- Design, construct, and implement a functional prototype with adjustable steering wheel, seat, and pedal box configurations.
- Conduct initial ergonomic evaluations with drivers.
Full description: Enhancement of a cockpit mock-up for a Formula Student Vehicle
Design and testing of radiators in the wind tunnel. (MT+AV)
The goal of this thesis is to develop a test methodology and wind tunnel setup that enables the quantitative comparison of radiator performance in terms of aerodynamic drag and heat dissipation. The adapted system should allow for controlled testing of multiple radiator types under varying flow conditions. The resulting data will support both design validation and the selection of the optimal radiator configuration for Zurich UAS Racing’s 2025/2026 race car.
Objectives
- Conduct a thorough analysis of the current Zurich UAS Racing wind tunnel (ZAV), identifying functional limitations and key factors such as blockage effects, airflow velocity range, temperature control, water circuit setup, and sensor drift.
- Develop and evaluate multiple design concepts for modifying the wind tunnel’s test section to accommodate radiator measurements.
- Select and define the optimal test rig concept based on performance requirements, including pressure drop and velocity measurement across the radiator.
- Perform radiator tests using the finalized setup, evaluating pressure loss as a function of airflow speed (5 m/s to 20 m/s) following defined test procedures.
- Create comprehensive documentation detailing the entire process from analysis and concept development to testing and result interpretation, providing a foundation for future radiator evaluations.
Full description: Design and testing of radiators in the wind tunnel
Enhancement of an Emergency Braking System for a Formula Student Vehicle. (MT)
The goal of this thesis is to develop a reliable and regulation-compliant Emergency Braking System (EBS) for Zurich UAS Racing’s electric Formula Student vehicle. This includes analysing the relevant technical regulations, researching best practices, and designing a pneumatically actuated braking mechanism that triggers reliably in the event of system failure. The system must be compact and easily integrable. Additionally, the solution should sup-port system diagnostics and enable testing procedures for validation and rule compliance.
Objectives
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing Emergency Braking System (EBS) solutions used in Formula Student vehicles and review all relevant technical regulations..
- Analyse the system requirements and define key interfaces within the vehicle’s electrical and mechanical architecture.
- Design a complete pneumatic concept for EBS actuation, including the selection of appropriate components such as valves, cylinders, and release mechanisms.
- Develop, construct, and validate a functional EBS prototype tailored to Zurich UAS Racing’s electric race car.
- Document all safety-relevant design decisions and integration steps to support incorporation into the vehicle’s overall safety concept and regulatory compliance.
Full description: Enhancement of an Emergency Braking System for a Formula Student Vehicle
Enhancement of a steering rack for a Formula Student Vehicle. (MT)
The goal of this thesis is to design and develop a custom steering rack for Zurich UAS Racing’s 2025/2026 Formula Student race car. The new system must provide a precise steering response with sufficient steering angle, meet integration requirements for the DV setup, and offer improvements over the previous season’s solution. Additionally, the potential for progressive steering characteristics will be explored and evaluated for applicability in the final concept.
Objectives
- Analyze the steering racks used in previous Zurich UAS Racing vehicles and identify design limitations.
- Conduct a literature review on motorsport-grade steering systems and examine solutions implemented by other Formula Student teams.
- Develop and evaluate multiple design concepts for steering kinematics and gear ratios, including the possibility of progressive steering.
- Define and implement a final steering rack design that meets the team’s technical, performance, and integration requirements.
Full description: Enhancement of a steering rack for a Formula Student Vehicle
Optimization of the accumulator container for the Formula Student racing car. (MT)
As part of this project, the existing concept of the high-voltage battery ‘Tractive System Accumulator Containers’ (TSAC) is to be structurally optimised. The focus is on significantly reducing the weight and improving the existing sandwich structure. The aim is to plan the composite panels of the accumulator container in such a way that they can be manufactured by the team itself in future. To validate the composite panels, test pieces are to be produced and tested for their mechanical properties. The results will flow directly into the final design for the 2025/2026 season.
Objectives
- Analysis of the current TSAC concept: Investigation of the existing structure for optimisation potential in terms of weight, choice of materials and production.
- Structural optimisation: Improvement of the sandwich structure with a focus on in-house production. The composite panels should be designed in such a way that they fulfill the relevant requirements of the Formula Student regulations (strength, insulation, safety, etc.).
- Production and testing of test pieces: Production of test pieces to validate the concept, including carrying out a 3-point bending test and a shear punch test to check the mechanical properties.
- Definition of the final variant: selection of the best concept and definition of the design for the new TSAC.
- Creation of detailed documentation: Detailed description of the entire development and validation process, including all test results and regulation references.
Full description: Optimisation of the accumulator container for the Formula Student racing car
Optimization of the wing shape for a Formula Student Vehicle. (MT+AV)
The goal of this thesis is to use adjoint-based numerical optimization to improve the aero-dynamic efficiency of Zurich UAS Racing’s wing profiles. This includes analyzing the sensitivity of key geometric parameters, conducting simulations using the Adjoint Solver in Ansys, and evaluating the resulting aerodynamic performance. The outcome should be an optimized wing design that contributes to increased downforce, reduced drag, and improved vehicle performance, along with a solid understanding of adjoint methodology for future applications.
Objectives
- Gain a deep understanding of the adjoint optimization methodology and the functionality of the Adjoint Solver in Ansys.
- Study the mathematical and numerical principles underlying adjoint-based shape optimization.
- Identify critical geometric parameters (e.g., camber, thickness distribution, airfoil shape) and analyze their influence on aerodynamic performance.
- Apply the Adjoint Solver to selected aerodynamic components (front and/or rear wings) and assess the optimization results.
- Document all findings and optimization steps in a comprehensive report and provide actionable recommendations for future aerodynamic improvements.
Full description: Optimization of the wing shape for a Formula Student Vehicle