NEWS: Paralized Racer To Pilot Corvette Stingray With His Head

There is no doubt that in the next decade or two there will be autonomous or at least semi-autonomous cars driving around our streets. With all the new technologies, some cars only require you to steer while driving.

While cars are getting more autonomous on the roads, it has never been done on the race track. Sam Schmidt and the SAM project is changing that. Sam is a former Indy Racing League driver who was paralyzed in a crash in 2000. The SAM project has built a specially designed 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray so that he can continue driving.

Arrow Electronics, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Falci Adaptive Motorsports and Schmidt Peterson Motor Sports have put equipment in the Corvette that will allow Sam to drive the car using only his head.

How will the car work?

There is a bite sensor in Sam’s mouth that will allow him to brake and slow down by just biting down. The bite sensor and a camera system work together to steer, brake, and accelerate the car. The computer receives signals from the bite sensor, along with infrared camera’s, with four sensors on his helmet and cameras on the dash. These sensors as well as a GPS system will help make sure the car stays within 5 feet of the edge of the track.

The first showing of this technology will be before the 2014 Indianapolis 500 race on May 18. After its first demonstration, it will be shown at other events to help show the disabled what is possible with technology.

By: Joshua Kashinsky

Image Source: Motor Trend