race driver grid recognize controller mods

(One widely followed teardown site analyzed the Overdrive cars and botched the explanation of components related to the motor control, probably because those involved didn’t really understand motor control techniques.) It is worth examining how the motors are probably controlled. So the car steers by slightly increasing or decreasing the speed of each rear wheel as need be.

Instead, the car uses two tiny electric motors, one to power each of the rear wheels. Once it’s out, the mechanism by which the car steers becomes clear. The PCB sits in the chassis sandwiched between the two halves of the car shell so it comes out easily. Removing the top of a car exposes the circuit board, the chassis, and a large ballast weight. Noteworthy in this view is the chunk of metal used for weight ballast, the multicolor LED giving battery charge status, and the LEDs that help simulate weapon strikes. Under the covers Removal of the car shell reveals that the Overdrive cars are basically circuit boards on wheels. The cars are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries, and the set comes with a recharging station where cars sit until their batteries are ready. To flawlessly traverse every layout thrown at it, each car takes a training lap before a race and basically memorizes the track using a built-in optical sensor to sense track position.

An interesting feature of the track is that its sections use magnets to click together, and the track can be configured in a variety of racing layouts. The Overdrive starter kit we analyzed contains sections of track that can go together in various ways and can even include jumps. Robotic race cars make clever use of software and infrared optics to follow lines slyly hidden on the track.

Race driver grid recognize controller mods