By: Grattan Rowland
Formula 1 cars are viewed as some of the most modern
race cars, sporting all the latest technology like KERS (kinetic energy
regeneration system) in which the car uses stored energy to boost the speed of
the car, and other things like precise aerodynamics so they can slice through
the wind as fast as possible.
The McLaren Honda f1 team is researching a new
technology for the MP4-X, a car they plan to race that can connect to the brain
of the driver through a computer interface of sensors that sense brainwaves. In
addition, McLaren Honda is implementing alternative power sources, and a
chassis with active aerodynamics that change with the driver’s demands.
But, onto the main piece, how does this brainwave
technology work? A group in Berlin, Germany first developed this technology in
a partly autonomous brainwave controlled car. The car is controlled by a
computer which accepts directions in the form of code. When the driver’s electromagnetic
brainwaves change, sensors transmit those patterns into code that can then be
read by a computer which then controls the car. Technology like this could
revolutionize safety and the way drivers battle on the track. For example, if a
driver is in a race of endurance, physical fatigue can play a massive role in
accidents, using the brain to control a car can greatly limit this problem.
While mental fatigue is a factor, thinking about where you want a car to go and
having it go that direction is much less demanding than fighting against g
forces and other factors like heat and exhaustion. The future of automobiles as
well as f1 alike seem to be turning to the side of autonomous robotics, a scary
thought to many, but as long as the technology increases safety I believe it is
here to stay.
References
“Introducing
the MP4-X”. McLaren.com. McLaren
Honda Inc. Web. 5 March 2016
Gohring,
Daniel; Latotzky, David; Rojas, Ra’ul; Wang, Maio. “Semi-Autonomous Car Control
Using Brain Control Interface”. Artificial
Intelligence Group. Institut fur
Informatik ¨ Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany. Web. 5 March 2016
Tegler,
Eric. “A Far Away Formula One Future Could See Cars Controlled by Brain Waves”.
Road&Track.com. Hearst Digital
Media Group. Web. 5 March 2016
Picture
Sources
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