In between checking out some of the world’s finest supercars, Jay Leno recently had the opportunity to meet ex-Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt, a man who has shown remarkable perseverance after being dealt an awful card in life.
In 2000, during a test, Schmidt was paralyzed and is a quadriplegic, but despite this, he can legally drive on the streets of Nevada and happens to own not just any run-of-the-mill car, but a specially-equipped Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which he has full control over.
Thanks to Arrow Electronics, Schmidt’s Z06 has been outfitted with a plethora of sensors that make it operable. For starters, the throttle pedal has been replaced by a tube which sits in Schmidt’s mouth. To accelerate, he simply exhales and to brake, he inhales. He then wears a set of special sunglasses which are monitored by infrared cameras that keep track of his every head movement. If he wants to turn right, he looks right and vice versa.
The system may sound simple, but designing and developing it is pretty extraordinary, as is Schmidt’s determination to not let his problem get in the way of enjoying his life.