Hands-on programming for Software students in the REVERE Lab
During a two-day project in the course Development of Embedded and Real-Time Systems, project teams consisting of software students gathered in the REVERE Lab at Lundbystrand for hands-on programming of a Volvo truck.
In the REVERE lab, the students were able to transform their theoretical knowledge into real-world engineering experience. The students demonstrated impressive technical competence and an equal measure of enthusiasm!
- Srijita Basu, teaching assistant in the course
The students in the REVERE lab during the two days are enrolled in the international bachelor’s program in Software Engineering and Management. The project is included as a module in the course Development of Embedded and Real-Time Systems, and the students have been assigned to carry out a practical project in collaboration with the REVERE research lab.
The main task for each project group in the lab is to develop a C program that can send signals and messages to the Volvo truck using CAN communication. If done correctly the students will then be able to remotely control some of the truck’s functions, such as the hazard warning lights, rotating warning lights, work lights, and the horn.
The assignment created engagement and motivation among the students and provided concrete, hands-on experience with real embedded systems and real-time systems.
One of the students in the course, Juliana Costa, comments:
"It was really exciting to see how the application of embedded systems actually works in practice. The experience was both inspiring and meaningful, and it felt truly relevant to us as students. We genuinely felt like real software engineers! Thank you professor Miroslaw and Srijita for providing us this experience!!"
Máté Stier, another student in a project team, adds:
“I have personally really enjoyed programming the truck, as I could use my knowledge of bit operations, that I've learned during the course in a realistic setting. I feel that it was a valuable learning experience for all of our team members.”
Miroslaw Staron, responsible for the course, explains the idea behind the two days in the REVERE environment:
“Although we often say that software is everywhere, we do not teach the students what it really means. My goal with this activity was to show the students how they can use the skills they've learned in practice. The week after this exercise, we also visit AB Volvo's R&D at Lundby where the students learn what software engineers' daily work look like.”
The student project connected to REVERE is carried out in collaboration with AoA Transport at Chalmers University of Technology and SFO Transport at the University of Gothenburg, and aims to provide students with hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary academic and industrial environment.
