Yahoo Autos Paralyzed IndyCar Driver Sam Schmidt Will Get the First Semi-Autonomous Driver's License
Following a horrible wreck back in 2000, IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt was left paralyzed from the neck down. Following the crash, he founded his own racing team, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Now, more than 15 years later, modifications made to his 2014 Corvette will allow him to drive on his own once again.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Schmidt will be the first person in the country to receive a license to drive a semi-autonomous vehicle. The car was modified by Arrow Electronics to respond to head movement, voice commands, and breathing changes. The company has been developing the car since 2014 and worked with the Nevada DMV to clear the way for Schmidt to receive his license again.
Schmidt will control the car using a custom headset. Acceleration and braking are controlled by inhaling and exhaling. Steering is controlled by turning his head side to side.
An earlier version of the car with slightly different controls was highlighted on the ESPN show Sport Science. Check it out below.
It's amazing that this technology will allow Schmidt to drive his own car on the street, and we can't wait to see it do the same for others.
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