Six tips to make the perfect Video VBOX scene

In the very first of our ‘how to’ articles, we give you some tips on how to use the Video VBOX set-up software to easily create the ideal scene for your application, whether you are using Video VBOX for automotive testing or motorsport.

Covering camera angles, graphic overlay layout, picture in picture positions, and the best colours to use for maximum effect, the article will help you make the best possible scene, and avoid some of the pitfalls…

Keeping you in lane: a new angle on LDWS testing

Using tiny cameras to detect road markings, the new breed of lane departure warning systems (LDWS) will assist drivers in keeping to their lane by vibrating the seat belt when the vehicle starts to drift across the road.

As the technology has improved, regulations have been introduced to which manufacturers must conform to include the popular new feature, which will help avoid the half a million crashes a year that happen on US roads alone due to vehicles leaving their lanes.

Authorities (such as NHTSA) say that a GPS data-acquisition system with post-processing software must be used along with a Yaw rate sensor, and that video must also be recorded to support the data.

With Racelogic’s knowledge of dynamics and ADAS testing applications using GPS, Inertial, CAN, and video data, we’ve released a solution that surpasses the NHTSA requirements, while still being smaller, easier to use and install, more effective, and more affordable than any other system that we know of.

Launch control: the new Porsche 911 Turbo

Last week we were invited to attend the lavish launch of the 911 Turbo Porsche at the stunning Estoril race track in Portugal, where we lent several Video VBOXs and the new Video VBOX Lite to Porsche to help promote the new car.

Just some of the 911 Turbos available to drive - all recorded with Video VBOX

Attending the two-week long event were 600 journalists from around the world, who were given free rein to try out the new 500bhp model, and were each given a video of their drive. We have been supplying Porsche with VBOX data-loggers for many years for use in test and development, and they saw Video VBOX as a great way of giving the journalists a reminder of the event they attended.

Also (as you can see from the video at the bottom of this post!) the sheer performance of the new Turbo is difficult to comprehend, but when you see the video with the G-forces and speeds involved, it certainly comes across!

Julian Thomas (Racelogic MD, pictured below) and Leander Speth (International Sales Manager) enjoyed taking the new car out for a spin in between press sessions!

Check out the video below, where Julian tries out the new launch control feature, propelling him to 100kmh in 3.2s, and on to 200kmh in just 11.10s!

For more info and photos, look on the new Video VBOX website.

In car video at the media launch of the Holden Special Vehicles E series 2

Video VBOX Pro used in the media launch for the Holden HSV E series 2

Holden Special vehicles has a reputation for producing some of the most powerful luxury cars ever to come out of Australia. So for the media launch of their new E series 2 range, Racelogic distributor Protech Developments were asked to provide in-car video and data recording in the form of Video VBOX Pro, to log the performance abilities of the vehicles.

Cars from the new range were driven through the winding roads of the Yarra Valley, before being further tested in a series of track activities at Winton Raceway in Victoria.

HSV’s Simon Frost said: “We were keen for the journalists to not only record their lap-times, but also have a lasting record of every turn and straight. Video VBOX added an extra dimension to the event, enabling comparisons between the different models we had on track and the drivers behind the wheel.”

Before the media event, Garth Tander, V8 Supercar champion from Toll Holden Racing Team, also used Video VBOX to produce a package highlighting the new driver assist technologies featured in the new E Series 2 range.

Simon Frost said: “Utilising the blend of in-car multi camera video and GPS offered by Video VBOX has helped HSV demonstrate to dealers, journalists – and ultimately our customer base – just how good our new range is.”

Check out the video below courtesy of ProTech developments – it’s a fast lap of Winton Raceway with Garth Tander, in the new E series 2 GTS.

How did we test Video VBOX Lite? On a bike in the Pyrenees of course…

Before its launch last week, Video VBOX Lite was tested rigorously, to the point where staff weren’t allowed out of the Racelogic offices unless they had one in their car! Many hours of data were captured, to ensure that it’s as reliable as possible.

However, the initial testing phase wasn’t carried out in an automotive vehicle. In early September, Julian Thomas (MD), Kevin Bursnall (Technical Director), and Mike Broadbent (Sales Manager) went to the Pyrenees in Southern France for four days cycling.

Julian carried a Video VBOX Lite and a battery pack in a small bag for the entire trip, capturing all the ups and downs of the experience. Given that the Video VBOX Lite with a battery weighs less than 1Kg, it became obvious that the new product is destined to be used in a much wider range of activities than just motorsport!

Click the video above to see a descent down the famous 1500m ‘Hautacam’, reaching speeds of up to 51mph!

Introducing the new Video VBOX Lite. Motorsport just got even more interesting!

The product we have been hard at work on for the last few months is finally here and available now… the new Video VBOX Lite.

Have a look on our brand new website to find out more…

Police Collision Investigation use Video VBOX in Tyre Testing

Collision Investigation Officers in Cumbria last month made use of a Video VBOX to test the effects of tyre deformation on handling.

Video VBOX used by Police collision investigation officers to test tyre failures

The tests involved skid testing from 50 mph, critical speed testing, and J-turns. Tests were also taken to see what combination of speed, steering angle, and tyre pressure would blow a tyre off a wheel rim.

Video VBOX – now with free OLED Display before 30th Sept 09

The title says it all: every Video VBOX system ordered from now until the end of September 09 will come with a free black DSP05 OLED display, worth £370.

Perfect for viewing your lap times, speed, and even G-force live, this OLED offer means that now is the perfect time to invest in a Video VBOX!

Find out more

Black OLED display mounted in car - included with every Video VBOX before 30th Sept!

VBOX SL3 in the ‘Ultimate Handling Test’ for Autobild Magazine

VBOX SL3 in the Ultimate Handling Test - the pictured BMW 530i was beaten by the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro

Our VBOX II 3-axis datalogger was described as being the ‘ace in the pack’ for a vehicle handling test undertaken by AutoBild Magazine India last month.

In what was probably the most objective and scientific handling test ever carried out by a magazine in India, drivers put 21 new cars through slalom, elk, skidpan, and circuit tests to decide which road cars handled and performed the best, with the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro finally beating the competition.

To generate the most accurate figures possible, Autobild invested in what writer Vikrant Singh called “…the most sophisticated vehicle dynamic testing equipment ever used by anybody on Indian soil; the VBOX II 3-axis system.”

Analysing the VBOX SL3 Data

The magazine chose the system because of its ability to measure “…pitch, roll, and slip angles simultaneously from a single setup, without the need for any additional sensors or equipment.”

Read the full article

www.autobild.in

New software enables easy creation of GPS scenarios for LabSat Simulator (Press Release out this week!)

A preview of the press release due to go out this week to coincide with the launch of our most powerful software yet…

Screenshots from new software simulator SatGen – set to improve OEM device development

Racelogic’s new scenario generation software, SatGen, released this week, makes easy work of creating custom scenarios for their LabSat GPS Simulator. Complex scenarios can be created very simply by using the intelligent path and velocity models built into the software.

With its ability to simulate user defined dynamic GPS scenarios from scratch anywhere in the world, the new software answers the demand for efficient and accurate testing of the increasing numbers of professional and consumer GPS featured products on the market.

Stephen Jenkins, LabSat project manager, gave an example of how SatGen could be used: “If your company is based in the USA, but you sell your GPS products internationally, SatGen will enable you to create a test scenario for virtually any location. You can program a drive round Tokyo, or a route through Stuttgart for example, and check that your design performs as required, without needing to leave the office.”

Desert Storm: Rally Across India

Desert Storm: Rally Across India mapped and timed using Performance Box

The Millennium Racing Team, sponsored by Performance Box, recently brought home their best result of the season in the gruelling Desert Rally, from Delhi, to the Indian Ocean, and back to Udaipur.

126mph – powered by wind!

Greenbird breaks wind powered speed record - measured using Driftbox

The Ecotricity Greenbird project hit the record books recently by breaking the previous highest recorded speed for a wind-powered land vehicle, on the dry bed of Lake Ivanpah, Nevada, USA.

The craft was was piloted by British engineer Richard Jenkins to a top speed of 126.1mph, beating the previous record by a full 10mph!

The team have been using DriftBox as their official device for the last couple of years, both in testing and in record attempts, to verify the speeds attained.

The acquired data proved invaluable in setting up the craft, which requires very careful adjustment to optimise its aerodynamic capacity.

Find out more here.

New trackday footage as more drivers use Video VBOX to analyse their laps

The recent launch of Video VBOX has resulted in an exciting array of footage available to view on sites such as YouTube and Vimeo over the last couple of months.

Capturing race and trackday events from around the world, drivers have used the new gear to produce some memorable video. We have put together a collection of some of the best – which can be seen here!

Click the screenshot above for a youtube video of a devastatingly quick few laps of Hockenheim circuit, Germany, by Timo Klock in a tuned Cargraphic Porsche at the GP Tuner event. Footage taken using Video VBOX.

PerformanceBox provides the right formula

Racing driver Andy Huxtable has been using his PerformanceBox to its absolute limits, giving him an edge that enabled him to win the 2008 UK Classic Formula Ford 2000 series.

The series, which visits every circuit in the UK, features cars with full downforce aerodynamics and slick tyres and was a stepping stone for many future F1 drivers, including Ayrton Senna.

PerformanceBox mounted in the cockpit of racing driver Andy Huxtable in a Formula Ford 2000, at Brands Hatch Circuit, UK

On a recent visit to the Racelogic offices, Andy presented his now battered but still working PerformanceBox, which you can see in action in the photo above, mounted just above his steering wheel.

In Andy’s own words: “…it’s been the best investment I made towards winning the title – I wouldn’t be without it!” Congratulations Andy, we hope it continues to serve you well!

Battery Tank Circuit for Video VBOX Released Today!

Internal battery for Video VBOX prevents data loss

Video VBOX has been enhanced with the addition of an internal tank circuit inside every unit produced as of today (Monday 13th July 09).

The tank circuit uses a battery (similar to that used in an iPod!) to power the unit for a short period, which prevents the user from losing video footage when the ignition is turned off before the video file has been closed correctly. It also enables logging to continue for up to 15 seconds when power is cut from the unit. This caters for instances where vehicle power drops out for whatever reason, or even to allow time to swap battery packs whilst recording!

Hardware upgrades to existing units are now available; contact your dealer here for details.

Orders for Video VBOX can be placed from www.videovbox.co.uk

Video VBOX downloads available

For users of Video VBOX, if you haven’t already downloaded the latest firmware, you can find it here. The firmware enables the OLED Display to be used with any Video VBOX to provide live feedback on selectable parameters. It also streamlines the Mini Input Module compatibility function to enable you to obtain graphically overlaid vehicle data even on vehicles without CAN.

The Video VBOX Set Up software has also been updated. We have vastly increased the number of sample scenes available, meaning that you have more choice on graphic layout without needing to adjust anything. The Set-Up Software is available for download here.

New Products Unveiled at Automotive Testing Expo

It was great to see many new faces at the Automotive Testing Expo in Stuttgart last month!  We took the opportunity of the show to launch two new products – IMU Integration with VBOX 3i (seamless integration of inertial measurements and GPS) and LabSat (a GPS signal recorder, replayer, and simulator) which were met with significant interest.

New Racelogic GPS products unveiled at the Automotive Testing Expo, Stuttgart

PerformanceBox rises above the competition in test

Performance Box - low cost GPS performance meter from Racelogic wins award

Our low cost GPS performance meter, Performance Box, was recently given the top 5 star rating in a product test carried out by respected Finnish technical automotive magazine Tekniikan Maailma. In an extensive  head-to-head test covering accuracy, ease of use, and reliability, Performance Box surpassed the other 7 products to receive 9.8 points out of a maximum 10. 

Racelogic’s IMU Integration signals end to noisy GPS data…

GPS is the most accurate way to measure velocity… as long as view to the sky is clear. Under bridges, near trees, or through built up areas, the quality of satellite signals degrades, causing ‘noisy’ measurements. In order to keep high GPS accuracy even where sky visibility is less than perfect, Racelogic has released IMU integration with the VBOX 3i GPS datalogger.   

By blending GPS with data from an Inertial Measurement Unit, housing three gyros and three accelerometers, smoother, more reliable data is produced. The solution can deal with GPS dropouts lasting several seconds at a time, with high accuracy.

IMU integration realises the high accuracies that VBOX 3i can achieve even when external conditions are compromised, meaning that data has now become more reliable and easier to interpret.

 

 

Imminent release for the new OLED Display

With early systems already shipped to the worldwide VBOX distributors, the full release is almost upon us for the new OLED display. The perfect addition to any VBOX datalogging system, including VBOX 3i, Video VBOX, and Performance Box Sport, it has the ability to show a range of parameters, including live and max speed, g-force, and lap times, and can switch between display modes at the touch of a button. The display has the capacity to start and stop logging in conjunction with some VBOX models, and can also report logging status, meaning that many functions are accessible on the move. For further vehicle flexibility, the unit has an internal accelerometer that flips the screen in accordance with the way it is mounted, and the option to invert screen colours and change the font to a high contrast outline means that the display can match the lighting conditions. The data sheet with full specifications is available here.

The new OLED Display - out soon