Quadriplegic Drives Corvette Z06 By Blowing Into A Tube

Former IndyCar winner Sam Schmidt was paralysed from the neck down in 2001, but now drives a Corvette with a very clever interface
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A huge Indycar crash at Walt Disney World Speedway in 2000 left Sam Schmidt paralysed from the neck down. Despite this, he’s still able to drive, and it’s thanks to a very special car, plus a lot of determination.

The Corvette Z06 showcased in this episode of Jay Leno’s garage has a pipe which Schmidt can blow in to operate the accelerator, and suck to use the brake. Meanwhile, cameras monitor the movements of his head via a pair of sunglasses, which are translated into steering inputs.

The whole setup is effective and very clever, and gives Schmidt back some of the freedom he lost in that awful accident. He says he’s taken it up to around 185mph, and has plans to take it over 200mph at some point this year.

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Comments

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

Thats talent. I mean, some can fold into a box or escape handcuffs, but driving like that, dang…

07/10/2017 - 14:45 |
4 | 2
Anonymous

Respect.

07/10/2017 - 14:51 |
10 | 0
datpolishtho

I used to work for Arrow ECS who provided the tech for this venture. Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of IT equipment. It’s a one of a kind setup just for Sam. Brilliant stuff.

07/10/2017 - 14:51 |
18 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

07/10/2017 - 14:53 |
2 | 4
(what's left of) Sir GT-R

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Bruh….

07/10/2017 - 15:43 |
2 | 0
TeslaKid

Balls of steel.

07/10/2017 - 15:02 |
2 | 0
TheMindGarage

That’s amazing - truly inspirational. But I can’t help imagining a tiny little turbocharger (perhaps a CT turbo keychain?) attached to the blow-pipe giving a small amount of boost to the engine xD.

07/10/2017 - 15:03 |
110 | 0

Ur so mean 😂

07/10/2017 - 15:38 |
4 | 58

I want to see that happen!

07/11/2017 - 02:09 |
2 | 0
Deoxide

TECH HAS KILLED CAR GUY’S DRE… oh wait.

07/10/2017 - 15:04 |
36 | 2
Freddie Skeates

Meanwhile I’m here blowing into my Starbucks making bubbles because I’m a child

07/10/2017 - 15:39 |
44 | 2

Thank you for the laugh 👍

07/11/2017 - 03:14 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Just bought 2 shirts from car throttle, IT COST MY MOM AROUND $60, BRING BACK PHIL!!!!!

07/10/2017 - 15:43 |
0 | 20
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Wut

07/10/2017 - 17:29 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Phil is Alive tho

You probably don’t even know who Phil is

07/10/2017 - 20:56 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

How he will do a burnout then?

07/10/2017 - 16:06 |
14 | 0
Nishant Dash

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hyperventilation

07/10/2017 - 16:28 |
36 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Watch the video

07/10/2017 - 17:22 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

He’ll say, initiate badass mode

07/11/2017 - 09:36 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

you can hear some air squeezing out when he blows, so it sounds like the tube has resistance, IF it has resistance, you can puff your cheeks with air and compress them while taking in air with your nose like a bag pipe. My theory

07/11/2017 - 22:25 |
0 | 0