HUD Helmets

FLC · Post 14 Sep 2007, 00:34

A few days ago I read an article in a local magazine about F1 drivers equipment and it mentioned the HUD helmets that a few teams were experimenting with.
I tried to search for some info. on the net, but with no luck. Does anyone know what happened to that idea? Was it ever used? Abandoned? Why doesn't the FIA show interest in sake of safety?

Crabbia · Post 14 Sep 2007, 01:06

i heard rumours of that in 2000, but i think ultimately it'll be up to driver preference, as i'm sure its possible, although the anlges might be a bit tight to do it the way its been done in the m5 and m6.

m3_lover · Post 14 Sep 2007, 02:16

I think BMW were the team experimenting with that, I think I remember the drivers were saying it was hard to see and distracting, but I can not remember too much of it

dumrick · Post 14 Sep 2007, 02:30

Well, I remember Lotus having a HUD system tested around 1993. As far as I recall, the drivers never raced with it. One of the reasons I remember is that the extra weight on the helmet x G-forces resulted in a higher strain of drivers' necks.

Rob W · Post 14 Sep 2007, 05:59

I think Ferrari tested a HUD-type in-helmet system in about 2001/2002 if I remember rightly. I think it was going to have the rev-lights in it so the drivers could see them in their peripheral vision. They weren't introduced though.

Rob W

scarbs · Post 14 Sep 2007, 11:43

The German manufacturer Schuberth tried a system several times with Ralf while at Williams BMW.

check.....

http://www.Shuberth.de

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zht ... &id=338650

FLC · Post 14 Sep 2007, 12:11

thanks!

mx_tifoso · Post 14 Sep 2007, 19:21

This is what I found when I searched for the HUD helmet design.
What they discuss in the forum is from '03, but it still provides decent "discussion" about the design and the reason why it is not present in F1 anymore.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22867

It seems to be an interesting design none the less, but wouldn't it be too distracting for the drivers? With it being right in their face pretty much.

FLC · Post 14 Sep 2007, 20:27

I've bumped into that discussion in my search also, but didn't find any useful details in it, tech wise. I still can't really understand what the drivers could actually see when using it, except from the picture scarbs put on.
I also think it's a very interesting solution. If they could optimize the size, place, colors and all other characteristics of the display, maybe even to each driver, it will be only a matter of getting used to it. But I guess it's down to the drivers to decide how available they are to look down, and/or suffer the occasional loss of radio communication.

ss_collins · Post 16 Sep 2007, 21:51

Expect to see williams trialling one in the medium term - QinetiQ are activley working on one

FLC · Post 16 Sep 2007, 23:04

Thanks for the info.