Apex

Date: Mar - May 2019 | Digital Track Driving Assistant | Team Project

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

*Work in Progress

Existing tools are outdated. Learning and progressing as a racer is complex and hard with many barriers.

Learning to drive is overwhelming with many facets to learn at once. Coaches are very few on track days, current track communication methods are sometimes dangerous and unreliable, current data logging and data analysis is complex and hard to use, and there is no centralized website system for hosts while community unity is lacking.

The Product Kit allows On-Track Assistance to help drivers improve their skills at each milestone in their career.

The Website allows Pre-Event Preparation & Post-Event Drive Analysis, to help racers prepare for an event and identify their problems after a session in order to improve.

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 an instructor. The race data is logged into the Apex online server. 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.

Apex Vista

An AR HUD helmet that augments a real time drive line in front of the driver’s eyes.

Apex Dash

Dash is an image stabilizer that works with the Vista’s augmented HUD, using AR to communicate driver and marshal signals.

Apex Link

Link is a smart EMG band that recognizes motion and hand gestures through muscle tracking to communication safety signals to drivers and marshals.

01 Apex Vista

A HUD helmet that augments a real time “drive line” in front of the user’s eyes using waveguides and lasers.

The goal was to create a system of products that were intuitively instructive at a glance and easy to use for first time users while avoiding intimidating and unnecessary form elements that pollute helmet designs of today.

Helmet Specs

1. Cooling Vents

2. Fiberglass composite Shell (Matte Black Finish)

3. RGB Camera (OIS + EIS Stabilization) (Software + Mech Stab)

4. IR Sensors

5. Depth Sensors

6. Polycarbonate Scratch Resistant Anti-fog Visor

7. Anti-Fog Waveguide Lense

8. Vents

9. Interface Navigation Dial

10. Navigation Select Button

11. Reset Button

12. Induction Charger + Wireless Charger Receiver Chip

13. Exit Vents

14. Visor Lock

15. Prism & Visor Dial

16. Power Button

17. Bluetooth Indicator + Sync

02 Apex Dash

The Apex Dash is a virtual image stabilizer, compatible with the Vista, that communicates secondary driving and safety information. The Dash maintains a low profile placed within the driver’s peripheral vision that does not distract eyes from the road.

The Dash has a grid of LEDs that allows the Vista to map images in harsh and changing lighting conditions on track days. ~ The Vista - using a combination of OIS and EIS and Marker and GPS AR in order to stabilize augmented images.

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.

1. On/Off

2. LED Diffuser + Coin Cell Battery

3. Vibration Dampener

4. Friction fit Ball Joint

5. Polycarbonate Shell Matte Finish

6. Suction Cup

Flexible Dash Mount

7. Silicone

8. Flexible Adhesive

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 to driver communication and driver to marshal communication.

Efficient Signaling

No longer need to stick arm out of window to issue a hand signals to other drivers.

Tracks Bad Habits

Keeps a record of driver’s hand position and other used to spot unsafe hand positions on steering wheel which should be at 9 and 3 o’clock. Logs bad habits into server.

Gesture Control with Vista

Allows hand gestures to control Vista’s interface.

Band Specs

1. Non-Slip Rubber

2. Metal EMG (Electromyography) Contact

3. Breathable Elastic Nylon Blend Fabric

4. Aluminum PCB Housing

5. Stretchable PCB Ribbon (Copper & Polyurethane)