Former IndyCar Driver Sam Schmidt Drives on Road Course Race Track in
Semi-Autonomous Motorcar Modified for Individuals with Quadriplegia
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- (Business Wire)
Former IndyCar driver and current Verizon IndyCar Series Team owner, Sam
Schmidt today drove a modified sports car on the Long Beach Grand Prix
road course track. It was the first time he has driven a road course
since he was paralyzed in a racing accident in 2000.
Sam Schmidt driving the SAM 2.0 car during the final road course engineering test drive in Morrison Colo. on March 13. 2015. (Photo: Business Wire)
Driving a modified 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray for the Arrow
Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM) Project, Schmidt conquered the twists,
turns and hills of a road course at speed using integrated advanced
electronics controlled by his head.
Schmidt drove one demonstration lap on the 1.968-mile road course
including the 180 degree hairpin turn, reaching a top speed of 50 mph.
Last May, Schmidt became the first person with quadriplegia to drive at
speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, garnering worldwide acclaim.
Schmidt drove four consecutive demonstration laps at 97 mph on the
iconic oval track becoming a qualifying driver for the 98th
Running of the Indianapolis 500. After the Indy 500, he drove another
four laps, reaching 107 mph.
“Racing has been a dream of mine since I was five years old,” said
Schmidt. “I thought I would never be able to drive again after my
accident, but this vehicle makes it possible for me to improve every
time I am on the track. When I drive the SAM Car, I feel a sense of
normalcy,” Schmidt said.
The SAM Project is a collaborative venture between Arrow Electronics,
Inc., Freescale® Semiconductor, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Conquer
Paralysis Now. Arrow leads the development of the SAM car and the
systems integration, as well as the engineering of specific systems for
the car. Freescale’s technology is featured in an advanced
human-to-machine interface which includes automotive microprocessors and
sensors based on its MEM’s technology. To prepare the road course race
track of the Long Beach Grand Prix, the SAM car was updated with new
cameras and more responsive controls.
“Driving a road course is much more challenging in some ways,” Schmidt
said. “The latest modifications in SAM Car 2.0 allowed me to make sharp
right and left turns, as well as synchronize my acceleration and braking
more precisely.”
The SAM Project’s objectives are not to transfer control of a vehicle to
technology but rather to enable disabled drivers to enjoy the driving
experience by leveraging the power of technology.
“Arrow is committed to developing technology to help change people’s
lives,” Michael J. Long, chairman, president and chief executive officer
for Arrow. “Our partners and extraordinary engineers continue to reach
for innovation excellence, and Sam Schmidt’s accomplishment is another
strong example of our commitment to working five years out.”
The vehicle integrates the following technology:
-
Infrared camera system – four sensors mounted on Schmidt’s hat
connected to infrared cameras mounted on the dashboard that detect his
head tilt motions in order to steer.
-
Sip/puff system – using breath control, Schmidt can accelerate and
brake the vehicle by sucking or blowing into a tube attached to a
Freescale integrated pressure sensor.
-
Computer system – a central processor from Freescale collects signals
from the camera and sip/puff system to control the car’s acceleration,
braking and steering.
-
GPS technology – a guidance system that keeps the car within 1.5
meters from the edge of the track. Schmidt has a width of
approximately 10 meters to steer within.
-
Safety system – a set of software algorithms that ensure commands sent
to the computer system are real and defined within the vehicle’s
limits.
Following the Long Beach Grand Prix, the SAM car will be brought to
events for public inspiration and education, disabled community
awareness and business development opportunities. The project also
supports Conquer Paralysis Now, Schmidt’s foundation dedicated to
finding a cure for paralysis.
ABOUT THE SAM PROJECT
The SAM (Semi-Autonomous Motorcar) Project is an innovative project in
which a 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray car has been modified with integrated
advanced electronics and a human-to-machine interface so a qualified
quadriplegic driver can safely operate it under racetrack conditions. In
2014, the first phase of the SAM project succeeded in demonstration laps
at the Indianapolis 500, reaching a top speed of 107 mph.
The SAM Project is the signature social venture of Arrow Electronics.
SAM 1.0 was a collaborative venture between Arrow Electronics, Ball
Aerospace & Technologies Corp., the Air Force Research Laboratory,
Schmidt Peterson Motor Sports and Falci Adaptive Motorsports, a
non-profit.
SAM 2.0 is the project’s second phase, featuring new modifications with
advanced electronics to enable driving on road courses. Partners with
Arrow on SAM 2.0 are Freescale Semiconductor, Schmidt Peterson
Motorsports and Conquer Paralysis Now, a non-profit.
More information about the project is available at http://arrowsamcar.com/.
Social media hashtag: #SAMracecar
ABOUT SAM PROJECT PARTNERS
About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics (www.arrow.com)
is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial
and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing
solutions. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for more than
100,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and
commercial customers through a global network of more than 460 locations
in 56 countries. Based in Centennial, Colo., Arrow guides today’s
innovators to a better tomorrow – a world of Five Years Out. Five Years
Out is a community of builders and engineers who navigate the path
between possibility and practicality. Arrow is guiding the SAM project
forward to improve mobility for the disabled and demonstrate the power
of innovation. For more information about Arrow and the SAM project,
visit www.arrow.com/sam.
About Schmidt Peterson Motor Sports
Schmidt Peterson Motor Sports is a racing team owned by quadriplegic Sam
Schmidt and partners. SPMS competes in both IndyCar and Indy Lights. The
SAM C7 was modified at its racing garage in Indianapolis. SPMS’s
priorities are for Sam Schmidt to safely drive at speed and to support
the disabled community through his related charity, Conquer Paralysis
Now. www.spmindycar.com
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) enables secure, embedded processing
solutions for the Internet of Tomorrow. Freescale’s solutions drive a
more innovative and connected world, simplifying our lives and making us
safer. While serving the world’s largest companies, Freescale is also
committed to supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
education, enabling the next generation of innovators. www.freescale.com.
About Conquer Paralysis Now
Conquer Paralysis Now, a nonprofit organization, is a leading authority
on spinal cord injury (SCI) research and treatment. CPN is backed by an
international coalition of medical doctors, research scientists and
business leaders who share a singular goal: Finding a cure
for paralysis. http://conquerparalysisnow.org/
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150419005039/en/
Contacts:
Arrow Electronics:
Chris Maio, 631-847-5454
cmaio@arrow.com
or
Freescale
Semiconductor:
Jacey Zuniga, 512-415-2681
jacey.zuniga@freescale.com
or
Schmidt
Peterson Motorsports:
Monica Hilton, 608-669-3211
monicah@spmindycar.com
or
Conquer
Paralysis Now:
Ida Cahill, 609-737-1919
icahill@conquerparalysisnow.org
Source: Arrow Electronics
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