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NEWS
Corvette records your every input
GM and Cosworth's data acquisition system for the 2015 Corvette Stingray records your lap in incredible detailChevrolet announced at the Consumer Electronics Show last week a cool tool that links camera, microphone and precise GPS positioning to record lap-by-lap performance and overlays of your on-track driving.
According to Chevrolet, the fully integrated data recorder system enables users to record high-definition video, with telemetry overlays, of their driving experiences on and off the track. The Performance Data Recorder was developed with significant assistance from Cosworth using similar data acquisition and telemetry technology perfected on-track with Corvette Racing.
PDR will be offered as an option on 2015 Corvette production starting during the third quarter. GM is yet to announce pricing.
The PDR system acquires data from three major components, all seamlessly integrated into the Corvette Stingray’s interior. First is a 720-pixel high-definition camera mounted within the windshield header trim to visually record the lap from the driver’s view point. Audio is recorded via a dedicated microphone in the cabin.
Second is a self-contained telemetry recorder using a dedicated GPS receiver operating five times quicker than the basic in-dash navigation system.
With precise position data, the PDR allows more pinpoint accuracy for positioning and corner traces. The recorder is also hard-wired into the Stingray’s Controller Area Network, or CAN, to access vehicle information, ranging from engine speed and transmission-gear selection to braking force and steering-wheel angle.
Finally, the system features a dedicated SD-card slot in the glove box for recording and transferring video and vehicle data. An 8-gigabyte card can record approximately 200 minutes, while a 32-GB card stores up to about 800 minutes – more than 13 hours of driving time.
The PDR system records video with three data overlay options, each recorded in real time:
- Track Mode – displays on-screen speed, rpm, g-force, a location-based map, lap time
- Sport Mode – displays basic key data overlayed with speed and g-force
- Touring Mode – records and displays video and audio only
- Performance Mode – records performance metrics, such as 0 to 60 mph acceleration, 1/4-mile speed and elapsed time, and 0-100-0 mph runs.
Video footage can be viewed on the Corvette Stingray’s eight-inch colour touchscreen when the car is parked, or downloaded to a computer for further editing and sharing.
For users who want a more in-depth understanding of their performance, the PDR vehicle data can be opened in the included “Cosworth Toolbox” software, which combines Cosworth’s professional-level motorsport data analysis with an easy-to-use graphic interface.
Within the Cosworth Toolbox, the PDR overlays recorded laps on a Bing-enabled satellite map of the track, and compares selected laps in detail and can recall data at requested points on the lap. Comparisons include corner traces, vehicle speed, and cornering force to help drivers improve their driving consistency and ultimately their lap times.
“The ability to review laps between track sessions can identify immediate adjustments for quicker laps in the next session,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “It’s like having a 32-GB crew chief trackside providing you with real-time feedback to improve your driving skills.”
The PDR is a dramatic improvement over more rudimentary data recording systems that you may have seen. An example is the bumper sticker that reads: Tell me how I’m driving – dial 1-800-BITE-ME. At least the Corvette PDR is more polite and more protective of your ego.
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