Development of a Multipurpose Autonomous Driving Platform – mechanical & electrical

Context & background

CTRL Engineering develops advanced automation and control solutions for industrial applications, including custom testbenches, motion control systems, and in-house hardware and electronics development. As autonomous systems gain traction across industries, there is a growing need for well-designed physical platforms that can serve as reliable test and validation environments for navigation algorithms, control logic, and sensor integration.

Building such a platform from the ground up presents significant engineering challenges: the mechanical structure, drivetrain, power distribution, and embedded electronics must all work together in a modular and adaptable way. CTRL is eager to develop a multipurpose autonomous driving platform that prioritises robustness, flexibility, and ease of rapid prototyping.

Thesis objective

The goal of this thesis is to research and develop the mechanical and electrical foundation of a multipurpose autonomous driving platform. The student will design the mechanical structure, drivetrain, and power distribution, and integrate embedded electronics for control, sensing, and communication. The platform should support multiple configurations depending on the application, and be extensible enough to serve as a long-term research and development environment for autonomous navigation and sensor integration work.

Research deliverables

• A technical research report evaluating design approaches for autonomous driving platforms, with a focus on mechanical structure, drivetrain options, and power distribution strategies.
• A mechanical design for the platform, with attention to modularity, robustness, and sensor mounting flexibility.
• An electrical and electronics integration plan covering embedded control, communication interfaces, and support for sensors such as cameras, LiDAR, and IMUs.
• A documented analysis of design trade-offs between performance, cost, and flexibility.
• A validated prototype demonstrated through physical testing and experimentation.

Research question examples

• “What mechanical and electrical architecture best supports a modular, reconfigurable autonomous driving platform for research purposes?”
• “How can power distribution and drivetrain design be optimised to balance performance, cost, and flexibility in a multipurpose autonomous platform?”
• “What integration strategies best facilitate rapid prototyping and easy swapping of sensor and processing components on a mobile robotics platform?”

Student profile

We are looking for a motivated student with a genuine interest in mechanical engineering, electronics, and autonomous systems. Relevant skills and interests include:

• Experience or strong interest in mechanical design (CAD, structural design, drivetrain systems)
• Knowledge of electrical systems, power distribution, and embedded electronics
• Affinity with sensor integration and modular hardware design
• Interest in autonomous systems, mobile robotics, or mechatronics
• Ability to work independently, navigate design trade-offs, and document findings clearly

Speciality: Mechanical design, electrical drivetrains and modularity — 1 student position available.

Interested?

We would love to hear from you! Please contact the dedicated CTRL contact person for this case. We can set up a meeting to get to know each other and discuss whether your wants and needs match ours.