Bonneville Quadriplegic Dream

[aneed4spd67]

Thanks to all the comments so far.
1. We do have a 2 channel remote kill with a 25 mile line of sight range we use in a chase vehicle now.
2. I agree with the voice recognition problems, I have that in a 1967 camaro and I know the noise problems that are a issue.
3. the joystick control of steering, brakes and throttle is a donor from a modern production system that was used for a handicap vehicle for a person to run the controls with his hand on a joystick, we have just moved the system up to his head and link it to a football mouth guard.
4. I like the full face helmet idea.
5. The car runs, steers and brakes OK and detunes the steering as speed increases, it may be that we have to go with a private meet.
I appreciate all the input on ideas of what we can do to make this happen...keep them coming.
The major thing that is an absolute is, he is driving the car, alone, and makes it to 100mph. we believe no person has driven a car without use of their hands and feet so it is about handicapped people the obstacles they face and overcoming those obstacles.
Special thanks to Mike C jr on the heads up on a couple other handicapped people and their goals at bonnie

[UltraCarbonFiber]

What about using head movement to control the car without the mouth joystick.  What I'm thinking is buy or build a seat that has side to side support around the helmet.  On the inside area of the left and right side support you could install moveable bumper pads of some type that are linked to a calibrated steering actuator.  So to turn left he would push (not turn) his head slightly left and same for the other side.  To stop he would have a pad that could be pushed on the back of the headrest and to accelerate he could have a tether that must be pulled forward slightly.  Of course the calibration is key to getting these systems to work but it sounds technically easier than voice commands.  Since you already have a kill switch worked out you could kill the controls in a spin so his head moving around doesn't cause more issues in the spin.  Of course I don't know how much mobility your friend has in his neck but this was my initial idea for the actual driving part.  There are people far better at solving technical problems around here but I thought I would throw it out there anyway.               

[aneed4spd67]

the creative juices are flowing, but we don't need to re-invent the wheel, our joystick system works real well and he has been using a joystick against his chin the majority of his life for a wheelchair.
Our main obstacles still are a couple rulebook violations dealing with no state would probably ever issue him a drivers liscense, and getting out of the car under his own power.
We do not want to do a private run, but it may be that way. maybe split up the cost with some other handicapped people that want to get some salt time in, Planning early now for next Aug-Sept

[Carl Johansson]

world of speed - the USFRA -  the 130 mile club -  this seems to me to be the best chance. 

contact them if you need more info/help.  Or contact me I will do what I can to make it happen.

Carl Johansson

(BTW my wife is the sports coordinator for the injured marine semper fi fund.  she makes sure her team of 20 - 30 marines -  in various states of disability, have the equipment they need - and handles all the logistics so these guys get to run in triathlons marathons bikeraces  etc -  so congratulations - this is a worthy goal and an achievable dream!

[aneed4spd67]

Carl J, thanx, I will let my project coordinator know of you as a contact

[KeithTurk]

How bout a car driving trail just outside the course, with a monster truck type kill switch... that would also mean you had instant access to someone who would pull him out of the car in the event of an incident...  100mph cars are a dime a dozen...

K

[Ron Phillips]

Hello everyone, my name is Ron Phillips and I am the project coordinator for helping Ron Heagy reach his dream of exceeding 100+ mph on the Salt Flats. I appreciate all the comments and ideas offered in this discussion! We are open to any and all ideas and connections to people that will help Ron reach his goal...it is also important for you all to know where we are in this process, I encourage everyone to visit our website; www.thequadsquad.net . Talk with you all soon!