An autonomous vehicle research system includes a vehicle having an attached frame and an engine. A sensing, control and data logging unit, mounted on the frame and in control communication with the engine senses vehicle operational parameters, controls the engine and to steering, and transmits operational data and log operational data. An operator control unit in communication with the sensing, control and data logging unit receives operational data from the sensing, control and data logging unit and presents visual real time display of the operational data. The operator control unit includes a manual cut-off switch that causes the engine to cease moving the vehicle. A remote control unit is manually switchable between a remote control mode and an autonomous control mode. In the remote control mode, the user controls the vehicle remotely. In the autonomous mode, the sensing, control and data logging unit controls the vehicle autonomously.