Autonomous vehicle research system

An autorally research vehicle system, comprising:

• (a) a vehicle including a frame and an engine attached thereto;
• (b) a sensing, control and data logging unit mounted on the frame and in control communication with the engine, the sensing, control and data logging unit configured to:
• sense vehicle operational parameters, to control the engine and to steer the vehicle, to transmit operational data wirelessly and log operational data;
• (c) an operator control unit spaced apart from the vehicle, in wireless communication with the sensing, control and data logging unit, the operator control unit configured to receive operational data from the sensing, control and data logging unit and to present a visual real time display of the operational data, the operator control unit including a first manual cut-off switch that, when activated, causes the engine to cease moving the vehicle;
• (d) a remote control unit spaced apart from the operator control unit and from the vehicle, in wireless communication with the sensing, control and data logging unit, the remote control unit manually switchable between a remote control mode and an autonomous control mode so that when a user selects the remote control mode, the user controls the vehicle remotely, and when the user selects the autonomous mode, the sensing, control and data logging unit controls the vehicle autonomously, the remote control unit including:
• (i) a throttle control input;
• (ii) a steering input;
• (iii) a user/autonomous operation control input;
• and
• (iv) a second manual cut-off switch that, when activated, causes the engine to cease moving the vehicle;
• (e) a plurality of wheels that are operatively coupled to the frame and that are driven by the engine;
• (f) a steering actuator, responsive to the a sensing, control and data logging unit, that causes two of the wheels to turn in response to control commands;
• and
• (g) a protective enclosure that protects the sensing, control and data logging unit from failure as a result of vehicle impact, the protective enclosure including:
• (i) an exterior housing that envelops as least a portion of the sensing, control and data logging unit and that resists deformation when subjected to no more than a predetermined force;
• and
• (ii) a plurality of mounts that physically couple the exterior housing to the frame and that are configured to fail when the exterior housing is subjected to a force that is greater than the predetermined force.