First Paragraph, first sentence of release should read Topping out at 97
miles per hour (instead of Topping out at 73.7 miles per hour).
The corrected release reads:
FORMER INDYCAR DRIVER SAM SCHMIDT BECOMES FIRST INDIVIDUAL EVER TO
DRIVE ON RACE TRACK SEMI-AUTONOMOUS MOTORCAR MODIFIED FOR INDIVIDUALS
WITH QUADRIPLEGIA
Car successfully completes demonstration laps at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway
Topping out at 97 miles per hour, former IndyCar driver and current
Verizon IndyCar Series Team owner Sam Schmidt today drove a race car for
the first time since he was paralyzed in a practice accident in 2000.
Driving a modified 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray dubbed the SAM Project,
meaning “semi-autonomous motorcar,” Schmidt becomes the first person
with quadriplegia to drive a race car at speed using integrated advanced
electronics.
Schmidt drove four consecutive demonstration laps today prior to Old
National Armed Forces Pole Day qualifying for the 98th
Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
The SAM Project is a collaborative venture between Arrow Electronics,
Inc., Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Schmidt Peterson Motor Sports
and Falci Adaptive Motorsports, a nonprofit. Arrow led the development
of the SAM car and the systems integration, as well as the engineering
of specific systems for the car. Ball led the modification of the
human-to-machine interface and driver-guidance system. Colorado
neurosurgeon and Falci Adaptive Motorsports founder Dr. Scott Falci
advocated for the modification of a Corvette for FAM’s adaptive
motorsports program for the spinal-cord injured and recruited Schmidt to
the SAM Project. The Air Force Research Laboratory monitored Schmidt’s
biometrics during laps, as well as collecting data in how he interacted
with the guidance systems.
“Racing has been a dream of mine since I was five years old,” said
Schmidt. “I thought I’d never be able to race again after my accident,
but this vehicle made it possible. While I was in the SAM vehicle, I was
unencumbered by my disability. It was the most normal I have felt in
nearly 15 years. It was amazing.”
While autonomous vehicles exist today, a race car for individuals
paralyzed from the shoulders down did not exist until the SAM Project.
Moreover, 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.
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 and accelerate.
-
Bite sensor – Schmidt holds a device in his mouth and bites down on it
to slow down or brake.
-
Computer system – a central processor collects signals from the camera
system and bite sensor 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 Indy 500 festivities, the SAM vehicle 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.
The concept of modifying cars so disabled racers might return to the
racetrack is championed by Colorado neurosurgeon Dr. Scott Falci. The
SAM Project is a collaborative venture between Arrow Electronics, Ball
Aerospace & Technologies Corp., the Air Force Research Laboratory,
Schmidt Peterson Motor Sports and Falci Adaptive Motorsports. More
information about the project is available at http://arrowsamcar.com/.
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 58 countries. Based in Englewood, 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.
About Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., a subsidiary of the Ball
Corporation and based in Broomfield, Colo., prides itself on its agility
to innovate and strength to deliver for defense, intelligence, civil and
commercial customers. The company advances science and protects the
nation through the development and manufacture of space systems,
tactical defense products and geospatial information solutions. Ball is
a key contributor of technical innovations for the SAM project and leads
the modification of the human to machine interface and driver guidance
system. www.ballaerospace.com
About the Air Force Research Laboratory
The Air Force Research Laboratory is a scientific research organization
operated by the United States Air Force Materiel Command dedicated to
leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable
aerospace warfighting technologies, planning and executing the Air Force
science and technology program, and provide warfighting capabilities to
United States air, space, and cyberspace forces. www.wpafb.af.mil/afrl
About Falci Adaptive Motorsports
Falci Adaptive Motorsports is a registered Colorado non-profit. Its
mission is to provide opportunity, education and inspiration to the
public through disabled racing initiatives and advancements in spinal
cord injury research encompassing spinal cord regeneration techniques,
drug development for spinal cord injury neuropathic pain, and
development of adaptive technologies for those with spinal cord injury
and disabilities in general. One of FAM’s priorities is to demonstrate
the SAM vehicle to advance new mobility systems and lower the barriers
that discourage and isolate the disabled community. www.falcimotorsports.org
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
Copyright Business Wire 2014