Senior Project Sponsors
2007-2008
School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Oregon State University
Project Description
1) In the space provided, please describe your project idea. Please format your description as though it was a
solicitation for others to join your group.
Our group is planning on designing and constructing an electric motorcycle. The motorcycle is intended to
be battery powered, and operate at highway speeds. The drive system will either be direct drive (in axle motor)
or chain drive. The intended focus of this project is in many areas: power management, motor control, and
microcontroller programming are the main focuses.
The motorcycle will be controlled by a microcontroller which will monitor and control all aspects of the
motorcycles operation and power management. The microcontroller will be on Microchip and/or Atmel
processors, and will focus on assembly and/or C programming language.
This group hopes to secure additional outside funding to help provide higher quality parts for the
motorcycle. However, the motorcycle system is estimated to be completely feasible based on the resources
provided to senior design teams in the past. This group has a motorcycle available for
transformation/modification from a gasoline powered engine to an electric motor with battery pack.
While it will be observed in this group that form follows function, the form of the motorcycle is required
to be that in which a general motorcycle consumer would not be embarrassed to ride it.
2) Provide a list of key features for this project. (Bullets please.)
• 50 miles of travel on electric motorcycle on paved roads based on one complete electrical charge.
• Goal of reaching highway speeds on motorcycle.
• Self contained charging system built into motorcycle.
• Either a a DC motor with PWM drive system, or AC motor w/ frequency drive system.
• Microcontroller will monitor power consumption throughout driving operation, operation time remaining.
• Power profiles will be implemented with the microcontroller for power consumption, performance, etc.
• Motorcycle will have wireless connection for motorcycle to accept system changes, and upload power
consumption information.
3) Provide a list of absolute minimum requirements for this project (Bullets please).
• Electric motorcycle must be safe to operate.
• 25 miles travel distance minimum on a single battery pack charge.
• Charging system must be built into motorcycle and operate on 120vAC.
• The motorcycle must monitor power consumption, and estimate power remaining for operation.
• Motorcycle must appear to be a consumer usable product, and have a clean, finished look.
Thank you! Please submit a copy of this form to Donald Heer ([email protected]). You should hear from
someone soon. In the mean time, feel free to contact us with your questions.
