Race Car Cockpit Module for Autonomous Driving Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-performance race cars are not designed to seamlessly integrate AI and robotics technologies for autonomous driving due to regulatory restrictions and significant design modifications required, which affect aerodynamic performance and baseline performance.
Innovation Solution
The HERO autonomous driving system is installed in the space normally occupied by a human driver, using pre-existing anchor points to integrate sensors and compute resources, enabling autonomous or remote driving without substantial design changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensors and AI computers are incorporated into high-performance race cars, then autonomous driving capabilities are achieved, but aerodynamic performance and baseline race car performance are significantly affected
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous driving system is extracted as a separate, removable module that can be installed or removed from the race car. This allows the car to maintain its original aerodynamic design when the autonomous system is not needed, while enabling autonomous capabilities when required. The system uses existing anchor points and does not require permanent integration into the car's structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions between different operational states - human-driven mode and autonomous mode - allowing the race car to dynamically adapt its configuration. The autonomous system can be activated or deactivated based on racing conditions, and its physical presence in the cockpit space can be adjusted to minimize impact on aerodynamics.
2Extent of automation
If significant design changes are made to incorporate sensors into bodywork and chassis, then autonomous driving system integration is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous driving system is designed to be universally compatible with existing race car platforms by utilizing standard anchor points and mounting locations already present in the vehicle design. This multi-functional approach allows the same system to be installed across different race car models without requiring model-specific modifications to the bodywork or chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages pre-existing anchor points and mounting structures that were originally designed for other purposes (such as roll hoops or driver protection structures). By preparing and utilizing these pre-existing features, the autonomous system can be integrated without requiring new drilling, welding, or structural modifications to the race car.
3Extent of automation
If the autonomous driving system occupies space normally allocated to a human driver, then autonomous driving capabilities are enabled, but safety and performance integrity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous driving system acts as an intermediary that interfaces with the race car's existing safety structures and control systems. It connects to pre-existing anchor points and communication protocols, ensuring that safety requirements are met through established pathways rather than creating new, untested integration points. This mediator role allows seamless interaction between the autonomous system and the car's safety architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous driving system for a vehicle (e.g. a racing car) is installed in the space normally allocated to a human driver and is attached to the pre-existing anchor points used for structures that are no longer needed once a human is no longer required, such as the crash protection anchor points. The autonomous driving system enables AI and robotics technology to be seamlessly integrated into existing high-performance race car designs without requiring significant design modifications to the vehicle. This invention enables a new era of motorsport, where for example human drivers in a Formula One car can compete against the same car controlled by an autonomous driving system, because the design integrity of all cars remain identical.