Remote Controlled F1 tester?

[ISLAMATRON]

Seeing how the teams build 60% scale models for the wind tunnel, what is stopping them from making remote controlled cars modeling their real cars and testing those on real tracks?

They could link up the remote controlling with a mobile version of their simulators, and even let the real drivers, test drivers or even computer controlled "driver" for maximum consistency.

They could use electric drivetrain for simplicity, but modeling the tires would be a problem... but it would still help in the aero department.

Have there been early attempts at this that I am not aware of? Or any major drawbacks that I have not yet considered?

[Confused_Andy]

£££££££££££££

[pipex]

Nice idea, but I imagine that a support team should exist for the controlled car if it fails on the track. And when that happens the cost reduction would not be too much versus the traditional way.

[Giblet]

Seeing how the teams build 60% scale models for the wind tunnel, what is stopping them from making remote controlled cars modeling their real cars and testing those on real tracks?

They could link up the remote controlling with a mobile version of their simulators, and even let the real drivers, test drivers or even computer controlled "driver" for maximum consistency.

They could use electric drivetrain for simplicity, but modeling the tires would be a problem... but it would still help in the aero department.

Have there been early attempts at this that I am not aware of? Or any major drawbacks that I have not yet considered?

You would need a 60% scale track to have a remotely similar feel to any single corner. The car weighs less, braking distances would be less, braking points, pointless to carry over. Tires could not hold their heat as long, and basically every single metric you can imagine will no longer be the same, or relatable, other than the simple aero stuff, and even that would be moot, as the car going over bumps is no going over small jumps. Bouncing front to rear, etc.

It does sound pretty darn fun though. Maybe motorize a couple of minichamp 1/5 scalers, one for each foot.

[Jersey Tom]

Because they can get more valuable and deeper insight by taking their test data and doing computer simulation of the full-scale car.

[Tim.Wright]

Seeing how the teams build 60% scale models for the wind tunnel, what is stopping them from making remote controlled cars modeling their real cars and testing those on real tracks?

Two problems. Tyres and Driver.

There are no 60% tyres which behave the same way that 100% tyres do. To develop these would cost a fortune.

Next is the driver model required to do the driving. Im sure the F1 teams have quite nice driver models which might do a good job replicating their drivers, but from what Ive seen in commercial driver models is that none of them are appropriate for real limit control of a race car.

In other words, there is no controller which will control a race car like a proper race driver. A computer driver will definately give you consistency. That why they use steering robots in the auto industry for steering steps and sine sweeps. But I think so far there is no substitute for a really good driver.

Tim

[ISLAMATRON]

No need for special tires... they just need to use the same tires every time, if a new wing gives better DF or less drag it will show up regardless of the tires.

BMW showed a system on top gear which recorded a driver's inputs and replayed them lap over lap, seemed to work pretty well.

Or like I said they could link their simulators with the RC model, and use their drivers, the drivers will always look for and find the limit.

60% percent tracks are unnecessary as well, look how the teams do straight line & constant radius aero testing... they could do the same and more with the RC tester(mainly because their is no rule banning or limiting it)

This would really only work for aero testing, but then again thats what they spend the most time and money on these days anyway.

[Jersey Tom]

There is a need for special tires. Not much available in 7.8in rim diameter. Wind tunnel "tires" are often solid. Not to mention different tires bolted on a car will make a night and day difference in what the car does.

Just doesn't make sense.

[ISLAMATRON]

oh yeah, how bout a 61.53846% scale model instead?

[Jersey Tom]

Put cart tires on a model F1 car? It would be so far from reality it'd be pointless.

[MuseF1]

This is not really much to do with radio controlled drivers on track (which i dont think is a great idea, sorry)... but..

Would it be an idea if they had some device that moved a helmet and front tyres when in the windtunnel, to simulate the effects of the car's air flow under cornering i.e the angled tyre disrupting flow.

Or do they already do this and im making myself look like an arse?

[Rob W]

No need for special tires... they just need to use the same tires every time, if a new wing gives better DF or less drag it will show up regardless of the tires.

BMW showed a system on top gear which recorded a driver's inputs and replayed them lap over lap, seemed to work pretty well.

Why can't they achieve it all with a more advanced wind tunnel? I know they already have them with rolling floors - why not have them so a specific track can be input for the floor airflow? Even thought the airflow is controlled by the computer (rather than the car moving) surely they could work out a lot (cornering traction limits for example) by assuming certain knowns. It could even use a BMW-type system, as you mention, where they used the driver's input from a real lap, and put it in the tunnel.. from there they could quickly tell whether certain aero changes would improve things.

Pros of this: It could be run basically any time in any weather (could the add rain into a wind tunnel for wet weather simulation? ) and right next to where test parts are fabricated. Plus, no risk of it ever crashing.

[Tim.Wright]

No need for special tires... they just need to use the same tires every time, if a new wing gives better DF or less drag it will show up regardless of the tires.

There is definately a need for special tyres. Otherwise all of your handling data is useless.

Tim

[autogyro]

Give me three Months and I could have a full scale car running without a driver.
We already have a pilotless autogyro.
Interesting.
Is the testing ban based on driver or car?

[timbo]

Scaling
If you can f**k things up with a model in a windtunnel, so you ideally want full scale, imagine how much more possibilities you would have with model on track?