This project aims to improve the user interface of an electric vehicle charging station that is part of a research project. The charging station is not open to the public and is only used by a small group of drivers. The goal of the charging station is to maximize the use of green energy from solar panels and reduce the strain on the electric grid and car batteries when charging. The charging station interface is in the form of a web application. The algorithm governing the chargers themselves is beyond the scope of this project as it is part of the research carried out using the charging station. Instead, the focus is on the web application itself, which gathers necessary information and passes it to the charging algorithm. The client has requested a major upgrade to the web application to introduce new features. The priority will be on improving user experience and trust towards the system. This will include introducing notifications and displaying a charging summary after initiating charging. Another new feature will be a gamification element aimed at incentivizing drivers to use the charging station in an environmentally friendly manner. Points will be awarded for using electricity from solar panels and deducted for fast charging. The points can be used to compete against other drivers or exchanged for badges. The next feature will be smart charging setting prediction. Currently, users must input departure time and requested charge every time they initiate a charge. The smart prediction will suggest these settings automatically based on previous charges and other factors.
The CS Design Project module is one of the two final modules of the Bachelor. In the design component of this module, students show that they master the entire design trajectory, from the first informal specification of requirements by a client to the delivery and presentation of a well-documented working product. Projects are submitted by clients from either inside or outside the University. Students perform the project in groups of 3-5 students under the supervision of a teacher from the Department of Computer Science. The supervisor is also the one who assesses the process and products of the group. Project deliverables include a project proposal, a design report, a presentation and a poster.
View the full design report for this project.
This project aims to improve the user interface of an electric vehicle charging station that is part of a research project. The charging station is not open to the public and is only used by a small group of drivers. The goal of the charging station is to maximize the use of green energy from solar panels and reduce the strain on the electric grid and car batteries when charging. The charging station interface is in the form of a web application. The algorithm governing the chargers themselves is beyond the scope of this project as it is part of the research carried out using the charging station. Instead, the focus is on the web application itself, which gathers necessary information and passes it to the charging algorithm. The client has requested a major upgrade to the web application to introduce new features. The priority will be on improving user experience and trust towards the system. This will include introducing notifications and displaying a charging summary after initiating charging. Another new feature will be a gamification element aimed at incentivizing drivers to use the charging station in an environmentally friendly manner. Points will be awarded for using electricity from solar panels and deducted for fast charging. The points can be used to compete against other drivers or exchanged for badges. The next feature will be smart charging setting prediction. Currently, users must input departure time and requested charge every time they initiate a charge. The smart prediction will suggest these settings automatically based on previous charges and other factors.
The CS Design Project module is one of the two final modules of the Bachelor. In the design component of this module, students show that they master the entire design trajectory, from the first informal specification of requirements by a client to the delivery and presentation of a well-documented working product. Projects are submitted by clients from either inside or outside the University. Students perform the project in groups of 3-5 students under the supervision of a teacher from the Department of Computer Science. The supervisor is also the one who assesses the process and products of the group. Project deliverables include a project proposal, a design report, a presentation and a poster.
View the full design report for this project.