College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Electrical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Electrical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Electrical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Electrical Engineering
Date
7-2026
Primary Advisor
Dale Dolan, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Additional Advisors
Vladimir Prodonav, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department Uma Balaji, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
This senior project developed a low-cost remote controlled golf push cart by retrofitting a conventional cart with independently driven hoverboard wheels, an ESP32 controller, BLE communication, a 36 V battery, an MPU-6050 IMU, an LD-19 LiDAR, and custom PETG components. The final scope emphasized reliable remote operation, differential steering, controlled acceleration, heading stabilization, emergency stopping, and obstacle-aware speed limiting. A separate neural-network controller was trained in simulation as a future autonomy pathway; autonomous target following was not integrated into the final cart. Verification recorded a maximum speed of 4.3 mph, operation on a 15-degree incline, a 0.75 s emergency-stop response, a 70 lb payload, and a 25 m BLE line-of-sight range. These measurements met the original 5 mph safety cap, 10-degree incline, 1 s stop, 65 lb payload, and 20 m range requirements. Documented purchases totaled $267.95 before optional machined-part material costs, with other major components donated. The project demonstrated a practical retrofit below the $500 material target and established a modular platform for future autonomous development.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/eesp/747