Paralyzed race car driver trying out a new system of hand controls for driving

Canadian race car driver Robert Wickens has successfully piloted an adapted Corvette prior to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next month. After the accident in 2018, Wickens, who had become paraplegic, tested a new generation of the hand control system designed by Bosch by including an updated braking system.

Paralyzed race car

Wickens said that his hand controls fitted to DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R worked like a charm during the test at Sebring International Raceway.

“There hasn’t been a single hiccup,” Wickens said, as Sportscar365 has reported. “It’s like when they designed the Corvette Z06 GT3.R it was always in the plan. It looks like it belongs in the car. It feels like it belongs in the car. Immediately I felt way more comfortable with the braking feeling and braking sensation than I had in my past racing in TCR with the Bosch [Electronic Brake System].

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Canadian race car

It is a giant step forward, so hats off to all the men and women at Bosch, Pratt Miller, GM, and DXDT Racing for collaborating in making this all possible.” A video from the reveal of the braking system shows Wickens exploring and explaining the system, which uses a pull for the brake that is attached to the steering wheel:

An added feature of the new system simplifies the exchanging of controls between himself and his able-bodied co-driver Tommy Milner. A previous configuration had a switchable pedal that could switch the systems to either driver; however, it created mechanical friction in the braking system. The system, in fact, seamlessly switches and has potential for installation on cars other than the Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

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Such means that it is possible for future application of this technology with other cars, possibly even common-use vehicles, let alone racing.

“I think what we’re learning here today can transfer into any race car and then hopefully down the road what we’re developing with the electronic braking system from Bosch, you know-the opportunities are endless that maybe this can evolve into road safety and into everyday road vehicles and accessibility,” said Wickens to Ars Technica.