UCA Logo

Autonomous Vehicle Challenge Workshop

The University of Central Arkansas

February 28, 2026

About

This workshop is funded through a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium to provide no-cost to participants. The contents of the workshop will be implementing the Robot Operating System (ROS) 2's navigation stack on mobile robots developed by the Engineering Physics program from UCA. Brushed DC motor driving, Hall-Effect encoder and LiDAR sensing will also be covered. Teachers will recieve 8hrs of official PD credit for this workshop and will take home their AI robot car! The workshop will be covering the following content:

  1. Technical Content
    • Workshop hosts will introduce participants to the fundamentals of mobile robot autonomy using the Robot Operating System (ROS) 2. Core topics will include the ROS 2 ecosystem, node-based architectures, sensor integration, and the ROS 2 Navigation Stack (Nav2) for autonomous mobile robots.
    • Participants will learn the operating principles of LiDAR sensing and its role in localization, mapping, and obstacle avoidance. Additional technical instruction will cover brushed DC motor control, Hall-effect encoder feedback for odometry, and the integration of these subsystems within a ROS 2 framework. Emphasis will be placed on how sensing, actuation, and software coordination enable autonomous navigation on real robotic platforms developed by the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Engineering Physics program.
  2. Hands-on Experience
    • Hardware Assembly: Participants will assemble and inspect mobile robot hardware, including brushed DC motor drivers, Hall-effect encoders, LiDAR sensors, and embedded controllers. Wiring practices, power distribution, and sensor interfacing will be demonstrated with attention to reliability and safety.
    • Software Setup: Participants will configure the embedded computing platform and install the required ROS 2 software stack. This will include setting up drivers, configuring sensor topics, and launching core ROS 2 and Nav2 nodes necessary for autonomous operation on the BearCart-style mobile robot platform.
    • Testing and Tuning: Participants will perform system bring-up, validate sensor data streams, and tune parameters related to localization, mapping, and navigation. This process will include verifying encoder-based odometry, LiDAR scan quality, and navigation performance. Iterative hardware and software adjustments will be expected as participants refine robot behavior in a test environment.
    • (Optional) Final Demonstration: If time permits, participants will demonstrate autonomous navigation using the ROS 2 navigation stack, showcasing path planning and obstacle avoidance on a defined test course.
  3. Q & A
    • Dedicated time will be provided for questions, troubleshooting, and open discussion. Participants are encouraged to raise technical issues, explore design tradeoffs, and exchange ideas related to autonomous robotics, ROS 2 implementation, and educational or research applications.

    4. The workshop will be held at the University of Central Arkansas on the first floor of the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences building. Google map: here campus map: here. If you have any questions please contact the workshop organizer: Will Slaton (wvslaton at uca.edu).

Workshop Schedule

Time Event Description
8:30 AM Check-in Coffee and donuts available
9:00 - 11:50AM Hands-on Technical Session Participants build and program the vehicle!
12:00 PM - 1:00PM Lunch Onsite lunch
1:10 PM - 4:00PM Hands-on Technical Session Participants finish programming and start testing!
4:10 - 5:00 PM Live Demonstration! (optional) Participants test out their models on the course.
5:00 PM End  

Registration

Meeting registration is handled through a Google form link. Please make reservations by Friday, February 20th so we have an accurate headcount for catering lunch.