Arrow Electronics’ Semi-Autonomous Car Hits Record 152 MPH With Quadriplegic Former Racecar Driver Behind the Wheel
May 22 2016 - 4:01PM
Business Wire
Former IndyCar driver, and current team owner, Sam Schmidt
reached a top speed of 152 mph today at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway in a newly designed semi-autonomous motorcar (SAM)
developed by Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW). Schmidt, who has
been paralyzed and unable to use his arms and legs since a racing
accident in 2000, completed the record drive in between qualifying
laps for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
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Sam Schmidt hitting 152 mph on the iconic
Indy oval May 22, 2016. (Photo: Business Wire)
The modified 2016 Corvette Z06 features 200+ more horsepower
than the previous model and is the second open-source
semi-autonomous car that Arrow has built. Arrow engineers also
improved the electronics that allow Schmidt to steer, accelerate
and brake using only his head. Sensors mounted on a high-tech
headset that Schmidt wears more accurately connect to infrared
cameras mounted on the dashboard and detect his head-tilt motions
to steer. The car now also features state-of-art live streaming and
replay of telemetry, driver biometrics, environmental conditions,
driver point-of-view video and other key data, enabling Schmidt and
his co-driver to correct any issues in real-time.
“Arrow’s engineers incorporated insights learned from the
previous model to build an advanced car design that incorporates
cutting-edge Internet of Things technologies and live
data-streaming, among other exciting improvements,” said Joe
Verrengia, Arrow’s global director of corporate social
responsibility, who oversees the company’s award-winning SAM
project. “We hope the SAM car continues to inspire and drive
technology innovation forward.”
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.
All of the software and technology that Arrow developed for the car
is open to the developer and engineering communities, and it has
promising broader applications for independent living.
“It was a thrill to be back in control and hitting racing speeds
on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again,” said Schmidt, who
blasted past his previous SAM car top speed of 107 mph, set in 2014
at the same track. “The SAM project is a great example of what’s
possible when the right people come together to innovate and push
boundaries.”
Arrow will showcase the original SAM car, a modified Corvette
Stingray, at high-profile events around the world to help raise
awareness of the power of technology to improve lives.
The SAM project is a collaborative venture between Arrow
Electronics, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, the nonprofit
organization Conquer Paralysis Now and Paravan GmbH, a world leader
in innovative automobile conversions for drivers with severe
disabilities.
For more information on the Arrow SAM project please visit
http://arrow.com/SAM/.
Keep up with SAM project developments on Twitter by following
#ArrowDriven.
About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics 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 serving over 85
countries.
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Arrow ElectronicsMeghan Macdonald,
303-824-4589mmacdonald@arrow.com
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