Hi Steemians and DLiver’s!
Today from Barcroft TV we meet a computer genius who has managed to build a full size remote-controlled Corvette that wouldn’t look out of place in the latest Fast and Furious film.
Two years ago, 34-year-old Bjorn Harms decided to pursue his childhood dream by creating a full- scale vehicle that can be manoeuvred with just a small remote.
Bjorn grew up watching the Back To The Future movies and was mesmerised by Doc racing around the DeLorean without anyone sitting in the driver’s seat.
Wanting to emulate this fascinating scene, Bjorn, a computer technician from Urmond, Netherlands, decided to apply his knowledge and expertise to a 2006 Corvette C6 – and he hasn’t looked back since.
Bjorn told Barcroft TV: “I haven’t seen anyone who has done this sort of thing before.
“Other 1:1 remote-controlled cars you see online come with large motors and actuators installed in the interior. So it’s not a daily driver.
“This is a 2006 Corvette C6, full-scaled and fully remote-controlled.
“I bought it two years ago and I came up with this idea to create a universal motor controller so I could control different types, like the steering and braking, with the same device.
“I really like what I’ve done with it.”
Bjorn manufactured a four-channel transmitter that controls the braking, gear changing, throttle and steering.
He was working tirelessly on the transmitter for a whole year and admits this was the toughest part of the process.
“Yeah the hardest part was how I could control all of the features of the car with just four channels,” Bjorn said.
“But luckily, thanks to the mixing function of the transmitter, I was able to include a couple of functions into the same control.
“I also made a fail-safe system so if the car gets out of range, the brakes automatically start on their own.
“The first time I drove the car I felt pretty nervous. I was just hoping it would all work efficiently, but after testing it, I was really surprised. It worked better than I had imagined.”
Bjorn still drives the Corvette to work every day like a normal-functioning car as it has been declared as road legal.
It has a V8 6-litre engine with around a 404 horsepower. The top speed is close to 186mph. “Technically, it could go that fast remotely too, but that’s highly unwise,” Bjorn said. “Most people are very excited when they see the car and love the project.
“But others, they think it’s crazy and of course, a little bit dangerous.”
Bjorn paid just £3,000 for the building process – and currently values the car at £26,000. He said: “Yes I would consider selling the Corvette, but mainly so I can start a new project. “I’m pretty sure there’s no other Corvette in the world that controls like this one.
“I am very proud of what I have achieved.”
Let us know what you think! Could you build a remote control car like Bjorn?
Next video will be out on Friday so keep an eye out for that as well!
Joe & Nick at Barcroft TV!
My video is at DLive