Arrow Electronics Returns to Goodwood for the Iconic Festival of Speed Hillclimb

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Paralyzed racing driver Sam Schmidt drove up Goodwood Festival of Speed’s iconic 1.86km Hillclimb in Arrow Electronics’ Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM Car) on 24 June, as part of the ‘FOS Highlights and FIA Batch 5 / BMW M, Sports Racers & Modern GTs’.

Arrow SAM Car competing in Hillclimb at Goodwood Festival of Speed (Photo: Business Wire)

Schmidt and Arrow participated in this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed with a 2021 McLaren 720S Spider sports car, which has been modified by Arrow, enabling Schmidt to drive the car with just his head. In addition, Arrow exhibited the Semi-Autonomous Mobility (SAM) Suit exoskeleton at the Festival of Speed’s Future Lab, and a prototype facial recognition steering system for the SAM Car that is in development and has been successfully tested at low speeds.

Schmidt is an IndyCar team co-owner (Arrow McLaren SP) and former Indy Racing League driver, who crashed during a practice lap at the Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando in 2000, severely injuring his spinal cord. He was diagnosed a quadriplegic. To help Schmidt reclaim his independence and drive again, Arrow engineers created a smart, connected vehicle that he can operate safely and independently using head and mouth controls and voice commands – the Arrow SAM Car.

To steer, infrared cameras mounted on the dashboard detect Schmidt’s head motions – he looks left to steer the car left and right to steer right. To accelerate and brake Schmidt uses his breath, inhaling and exhaling through a ‘sip-and-puff’ device. Schmidt is a racing driver, once again.

Arrow designed another technology to improve Schmidt’s mobility – the Arrow SAM Suit. A collaboration between Arrow and robotic engineering researchers at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.), the SAM Suit advances current exoskeleton technology with extensions to support Schmidt’s torso and arms, as well as his lower extremities. The SAM Suit is part of the technology approach used to develop the Arrow SAM Car, demonstrating how technology can provide freedom and choice to people with disabilities.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed, presented by Mastercard, is an annual motorsport event held in the grounds of Goodwood House in the South of England, and is organized by Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Richmond. The event has taken place since 1993 and combines current, historic and future elements of motorsports and motor racing.

More information

SAM Car Technology to Extend Mobility
The Next Frontier of Freedom
Arrow Electronics

About Arrow Electronics

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220624005392/en/

Thorsten Hecking, Senior Communications Manager, Arrow Electronics

E: Thorsten.Hecking@arrow.com M: +49 160 90127055

Tim Welland, rEvolution Regno Unito

E: twelland@revolutionworld.com M: +44 778 778 0036

Source: Arrow Electronics

FAQ

What event did Sam Schmidt participate in with Arrow Electronics?

Sam Schmidt drove the Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM Car) at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 24.

What technology did Arrow Electronics showcase at the Goodwood Festival of Speed?

Arrow showcased the SAM Suit exoskeleton and a prototype facial recognition steering system.

What modifications were made to the car driven by Sam Schmidt?

The car was modified to allow Sam Schmidt to drive using head movements and a sip-and-puff device for accelerating and braking.

What is the purpose of the Arrow SAM Car?

The SAM Car is designed to help individuals with disabilities regain driving independence.

Which car model was used for the SAM Car at the festival?

The SAM Car was based on a modified 2021 McLaren 720S Spider.