The SAM car continues to reach new heights.
Earlier this week, Arrow Electronic's Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM car) completed the bottom half of the world-famous high-altitude Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Driven by Sam Schmidt, a former IndyCar racer and now team owner who was paralyzed from the neck down in a 2000 crash, the SAM car navigated the 12.42 mile portion of the course after the rest of the racers had finished the competition. Schmidt drives the car with sensors that are mounted on an Arrow-designed high-tech headset. A sip-and-puff device enables Schmidt to accelerate and brake.
Tackling the twists and turns of Pikes Peak in the Arrow SAM car was a thrill I’ll never forget
“Tackling the twists and turns of Pikes Peak in the Arrow SAM car was a thrill I’ll never forget,” said Schmidt, who founded the nonprofit organization Conquer Paralysis Now, which is working to find a cure for paralysis and spinal cord injuries. “The SAM project is a great example of what can happen when the right people collaborate to push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology.”
Schmidt was accompanied by nine-time Pikes Peak Hill Climb winner Robby Unser, who could take over control in the event of an emergency.
“The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb captivates auto enthusiasts around the world. It’s the perfect place to showcase the inspiring capabilities of Sam Schmidt and Arrow’s SAM car project,” said Joe Verrengia, Arrow’s global director of corporate social responsibility, who oversees the company’s award-winning SAM project. “We hope the SAM car continues to drive technology innovation forward and inspire people to dream big because, as Sam showed us all yesterday, anything is possible.”
Arrow Electronics is a proud sponsor of the 2016 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. This year marked the 100th anniversary and 94th running of the famed race and had competitors from the U.S., Japan, Canada, Great Britain, France, Finland, Australia, Taiwan, Corsica, Poland, Brazil, Scotland, Austria and Switzerland all participating.