Apex

Digital Track Driving Assistant

Apex is a system of products for novice racetrack drivers that provides real time augmented on-track driving instruction, and in-depth performance analysis to help break down the entry barriers of the racing sport.

Client

Personal

Date

Mar - May 2019 (W.I.P)

Designers

Matt Ravenelle

Daniel Cheng

Stacey Jang

My Contribution

Qualitative user research, concept development, prototyping, refinement, UI development.

Vista

A Heads Up Display AR Helmet that projects a real time drive line to train proper eye placement and visually divide crucial stages of a turn throughout a lap.

1. Overwhelming/High Learning Curve

2. Data loggers are unintuitive and hard to use

3. Existing communication is dangerous and unreliable

Drivers can study their specific racetrack before an event. On event day they can rent The Apex Product Kit, get live on track instruction without the need of a coach in certain stages. The race data is logged into the Apex online server and website. They can then look at an in depth lap by lap analysis of their race sessions to learn from their mistakes with a coach or with their racing community. The website also has a career overview and community platform so they can see their progression over time and share driving knowledge. (all racers benefit).

01 Apex Vista

An AR HUD helmet that augments a real time drive line in front of the driver’s eyes. It uses waveguide lenses and lasers that digitally augment the line (via GPS) and other driver aid in front of the user’s eyes. It divides the crucial stages of a turn using color to help drivers visually learn the line, and also trains proper eye placement throughout your lap (via eye trackers).

02 Apex Dash

A dash mountable image stabilizer that works with the Vista’s augmented HUD, using AR to communicate driver and marshal signals.

The grid of LEDs allow the Vista to map images in harsh and changing lighting conditions on track days. ~ The Vista - uses a combination of OIS (optical) and EIS (electronic) along with Marker + GPS AR in order to stabilize augmented signals.

Adaptable & Customizable Display

The signals adapt and change according to different dash profiles while also keeping a low profile but also maintaining a very legible size. The driver can customize his personal signal layout according to need. Overtime the design could be improved with software updates.

The Apex Link is a smart (EMG) band that recognizes motion and hand gestures through muscle tracking and turns them into communication signals, allowing driver - driver communication (passing signals) and driver - marshal communication (Flagging).

Safer & Efficient Signaling

Uses existing protocol of safety signals, but creates a safer driving experience. No longer need to stick arm out of window to issue a hand signals to other drivers.

Tracks Bad Habits

It spots unsafe driver technique. Monitors & records driver’s hand grip pressure and hand positions. Logs data and the driver can view it in his performance analysis.

Gesture Control with Vista

Allows hand gestures to control Vista’s interface.