Education Technology

VIC: Self Parking Car

by Texas Instruments

Objectives

  • Transformations of a trigonometric function
  • Transformations of a polynomial function
  • Derivative of a polynomial
  • Anti-derivative of a polynomial
  • Simultaneous equations
  • Distance between a point and function
  • Define and build a hybrid (piecewise) function

Vocabulary

  • Differentiable
  • Continuous
  • Point of inflexion
  • Derivative
  • Integral
  • Hybrid or Piecewise
  • Join smoothly = equal gradients

About the Lesson

Students use trigonometric, polynomial and hybrid (piecewise) functions to generate a path for the TI-Innovator Rover to follow with a view to safely exiting a parking space. Simulations are available via interactive content in the TI-Nspire file before road testing with Rover. Students use calculus to ensure that the start and finish of Rover's path finish parallel to the curb and in the case of the hybrid functions, that the curves join smoothly. In addition to a wealth of mathematics, students gain an insight to the amount of mathematics required by driverless vehicles so that they may navigate successfully.