A new reference design combines sensor fusion, wireless connectivity and real-time processing to accelerate development of scalable autonomous robotic vehicle applications.
Microchip Technology has introduced its Autonomous RC Car Systems Reference Design, a development platform built around the PIC32CZ CA90 microcontroller to simplify the design of autonomous robotic vehicles. The platform integrates sensing, wireless communication and motor control into a modular architecture, enabling engineers to rapidly prototype and evaluate intelligent mobility applications.
The reference design combines multiple sensors, including a 360-degree LiDAR, ArduCAM camera, and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), providing real-time obstacle detection, localisation and environmental awareness. These sensors work together through sensor fusion to improve navigation accuracy and enable both autonomous and manual operation. Wireless connectivity allows remote monitoring, control and telemetry, while a user-friendly dashboard offers live diagnostics and system visualisation.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the platform features modular hardware and software that can be easily customized for different robotic applications. Developers can modify sensing, communication and control functions without redesigning the entire system, making the reference design suitable for rapid prototyping and scalable product development.
At the core of the system is the PIC32CZ CA90 Cortex-M7 microcontroller, which includes an integrated Hardware Security Module (HSM) for secure boot, cryptographic acceleration, key storage and true random number generation. The controller also supports extensive connectivity options such as Ethernet, CAN FD, USB, I²S, I²C and SPI, allowing seamless integration with external peripherals.
Microchip says the reference design targets applications including last-mile delivery, industrial automation, perimeter security, surveillance and remote monitoring. By combining sensing, processing, wireless networking and comprehensive development tools into a single platform, the solution helps engineers shorten development cycles while accelerating the deployment of reliable autonomous robotic systems.
