My capstone project is a simulation of autonomous vehicle behavior using game development tools. Working on this project has been a mix of challenges, growth, and new experiences. I want to share some of my experiences and thoughts about it.
The project itself is focused on creating a simulation environment for driverless vehicles using the Bevy game engine. We’re building a system where a virtual car can navigate through different environments, interacting with various obstacles along the way. This not only tests our programming and problem-solving skills, but also introduces us to new technologies and concepts like autonomous vehicle vision systems and real-world vehicle physic dynamics.
One of the most fun parts so far is working with new technologies. I’m especially excited to use Blender to create the 3D environment for the vehicle simulation. It’s a fantastic tool for modeling and has a lot of potential for creativity. Additionally, the Bevy game engine, which runs on Rust, is a big step outside my comfort zone since I haven’t used Rust before. However, the challenge of learning a new language and working with a relatively young but promising engine makes it all the more exciting. Rust really is taking off in the tech industry due to its performance, so getting some hands-on experience now feels like an investment in future opportunities.
Additionally, the vision system presents a fascinating challenge. It’s designed to simulate technologies like LIDAR, radar, and camera-based object detection. Our goal is to have the car “see” its environment and make informed decisions, just like a human driver would. We’re also experimenting with machine learning components, where the car learns how to respond to obstacles like stop signs or traffic lights. It’s a significant undertaking, but I find it exciting to work on something at the intersection of game development and advanced tech.
As for my team, I really do feel very fortunate to be working with such a hardworking, supportive, and friendly individuals. Everyone pulls their weight on time, and it’s good to see how each contribution really makes a difference in the big picture. We always pick up tips from each other, be it coding, ways to make our environments look nice, or just keeping the mood light during our meetings. I believe that our collaboration is the reason why we’ve made such good progress.
The whole journey so far has been really rewarding, and I am eager to see the final product. This capstone project has boosted my technical skills and showed me how important teamwork, problem-solving, and staying open-minded when dealing with new technology.