First Person Driving

[Nor Cal Mike]

I just saw this article in NY Times about drone racing http://www.nytimes.com/video/sports/100 ... c_ev=click . It shows the guy wearing a headset with first person view screens which the pilot uses when flying the drone. With camera technology becoming more and more miniaturized, I am wondering if it could find a use in slot car racing. Would it provide a more personal driving experience? Would it add realism? Inquiring minds want to know.

[ccobra]

Funny you should mention that, my son wants me to set my track up with the internet so he can race me from his house on his smart phone.

[Nor Cal Mike]

I have no idea if the internet transmission is quick enough to drive a slot car real time but if it was, and you were driving from a cockpit viewpoint, it would probably be possible.

[TuscoTodd]

Boy - that could add a WHOOOOOLE new dimension to proxy racing! :o

[ddyke]

If everyone used the system, it would even out.

[slothead]

Very interesting possibility. Signal (image and sound) transmission would be instantaneous, but there could be processing (computer software) delays. But even slight delays wouldn't matter as long as they were consistent. Research has shown people can learn to play racing video games quite well even when there is are up to a few seconds of delay between action and response, such as turning or acceleration or braking. We can do well as long as the environment is consistent.

The bigger issue would likely be the fixation point and field of vision (where the camera is pointing and how wide is the image). We forget how much we rely on eye and head movement when coordinating actions. Anyone that's had a stiff neck or worn a neck brace knows how annoying it is to turn your body instead of your head. And those forehead mounted lights show us how even head alignment differs from the constantly moving fixation point of our eyes. A fixed camera in any car often misses what the driver is focusing on, especially when speed and drifting might be involved.

But these issues are solvable and with remotely operated vehicles and drones becoming so prevalent for military, commercial, and now private use, billions are being spent on research. This stuff will continue to trickle down to hobbyists and first person driver slot cars will happen some day soon if the market exists.

Slothead

[proxieken]

My son suggested this at one point. To me it seems a lot like racing on a console gaming system. I think the draw of slot car racing is seeing the tangible object as it moves.

I do like the racing simulators on playstation also. They are a different kind of fun. I am not sure a virtual slot car race could possibly be better than just playing Gran Turismo.