Hand-braking technology is at the top of the list for the IMSA racer as he works to increase speed and performance.
Athletes with disabilities are winners, in part because they don’t allow whatever disability they might have to stop them from achieving success. In the motorsports arena, no one exemplifies that more than Robert Wickens, the 2023 IMSA champion in its Michelin Pilot Challenge Series, driving a Hyundai Elantra N TCR campaigned by Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA).
The sedan was modified by BHA, incorporating hand controls on the steering wheel that enabled Wickens to turn, accelerate and brake. Wickens was paralyzed in a 2018 accident on the Pocono Raceway oval while racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. He’s made remarkable strides since that time. Or is that obvious?
To assist other racers who might have similar issues, the 35-year-old Canadian is working with Bosch Motorsport as Bosch adapts its electronic braking control technology, currently used in IMSA’s Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to fit his TCR Hyundai. The system can also be used in the more powerful prototype class as well. And it could be adapted for more types of racing, Bosch operatives said.
Bosch’s electronic braking control system, as used in GTP competition, is activated for rear brakes only, but the system has now been expanded to all four wheels of the TCR machine. The electronic braking system uses a steering wheel ring to activate the brakes, while electronic controls replace the series of mechanical linkages that physically operated the car’s standard brake pedal. This eliminates delays and added friction.
The new four-wheel system appropriately reduces the pressure necessary for Robert Wickens to apply to his steering wheel brake ring, allowing added stopping power and allowing Wickens to use a single hand to brake, which frees up his other hand to use his steering wheel-mounted downshift paddle while braking the car.
“It provides opportunity,” Wickens said. “I think it’s safe to say the [initial] system we developed with Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai had a ceiling that was more or less at the level of the TCR category. I’ve always had ambitions of trying to have the opportunities to explore the possibilities of racing in the WeatherTech Championship or other professional categories around the world. What this does, and it’s not a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination,” he admitted, “but it does give me a chance.”
Jacob Bergenske, the director of Bosch Motorsport North America noted, “We’re taking the next step of innovation with an electronic braking system that is hand controlled. Based off our proven performance in the LMDh electronic braking system, it’s an innovation on top of that, which we are super happy to collaborate with Robert on. The system is about providing opportunity and parity across the field, for people who are not able to race at the top level of racing. Robert is here to prove that,” he emphasized.
The first real-world test came as a shakedown after the May IMSA weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. More recently, Wickens completed three days of testing at Putnam Park outside Indianapolis. At Indianapolis on September 21, Wickens used the system for the first time in competition; he and Harry Gottsacker, with whom he shares the 2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR title, earned second place in their race. The duo remain in contention for a second consecutive TCR class championship; the season finale for their series takes place October 11 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
After the Indy race Wickens stated, “Honestly, it feels great. So far, it’s doing everything I want it to do and with no latencies or surprises like I’ve had in the past. I’m just really looking forward to the potential that the system has for me. I know it’s going to keep getting better and better as I continue to adapt and re-learn my braking techniques. It’s still very young in its life.”
The objective for this driver is to return to a top racing class and compete for overall wins. “Racing in GTP would always be the ultimate goal of mine,” he revealed. As well, “the goal for all this is trying to create equal opportunities for unable-bodied drivers. If I can include myself, hopefully when I’m done with my career, I can hold my head up high for creating an easier path for the next generation of disabled motorsport athletes trying to find their way to the highest levels of motorsport.”
Wickens and his team, Bryan Herta Autosport, have the added benefit of working with Hyundai Motor Group, which is showcasing its X-ble MEX, a medical exoskeleton walking rehabilitation robot, assisting injured soldiers in their recovery. Developed by the group’s Robotics LAB, this wearable rehab robot aids muscle recovery, joint movement and other complex motions beyond basic walking assistance.
The vehicle manufacturer is working with South Korea’s Armed Forces Medical Command. Developed for the purpose of lower muscle reconstruction, the robot aids walking rehabilitation and supports complex training movements beyond simple walking assistance. The robot can balance and reduce injury risk, as it lowers the chance of a patient falling backwards.
A new video, called ’10M March’ portrays injured soldiers using ‘X-bleMEX’ to overcome the challenges of rehabilitation and shows how the exoskeleton can reduce burdens on medical staff by assisting patient movement.The video is narrated by Jihoon Lee, who won a bronze medal in ice hockey at the 2018 Winter Paralympics, held at Pyeongchang.
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