Arrow Electronics Enhances Semi-Autonomous Motorcar to Drive at Grand Prix of Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif., April 20, 2015 /3BL Media/ – 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. 

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 98^th 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/

Media Contacts
Arrow Electronics:  Chris Maio, 631-847-5454, cmaio@arrow.com

Freescale Semiconductor:  Jacey Zuniga, 512-415-2681, jacey.zuniga@freescale.com

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports:  Monica Hilton, 608.669.3211, monicah@spmindycar.com

Conquer Paralysis Now:  Ida Cahill, 609-737-1919, icahill@conquerparalysisnow.org