Below are examples of typical VBOX applications.

• Test World (Finland) - Winter Test house
• Power Techniques - Auto Magazine
• QinetiQ - Defence research and development organisation
• MIRA - Motor Industry Research Association
• Top Gear - BBC Top Gear Motoring programme hosted by Jeremy Clarkson
• Acceleration and braking test with in-car video
• Driver monitoring by Leeds University

Test World (Finland)

Test World run the largest cold winter test facility in Finland, and is used by vehicle manufacturer's and tyre companies from around the world. Test World carry out thousands of tests each year for various manufacturer's testing tyre's and braking systems. Test World have three VBOX's which they use on a daily basis.

The nature of cold weather testing presents a number of unique problems. Optical and microwave sensors struggle to operate in such harsh conditions, and fifth wheels slide on the slippery surface.

GPS sensors are ideally suited for such testing, as the only external fitting required is the aerial which can be mounted on the roof.

One of the applications in which Test World wanted to use the VBOX is when they run a large number of back to back braking tests (often over 500 per day!). They required a quick and convenient method of measuring the braking distance, and the braking time between two speeds.

Once they had satisfied themselves that the VBOX would give accurate and dependable results, we worked with them to modify the software to suit their specific needs.

The way Test World carry out their brake tests is to carry a laptop in the car to give an instant readout of the braking distances and times. They mount the LED speed readout display on the dashboard to allow the driver to attain the starting speed of the test.

They then carry out a large number of brake stops, with the VBOX software automatically recording the braking distance, the MFDD, and the time between two speeds for each stop. This is continuously saved in a text file, which can then be quickly imported in Excel to produce a table of results to include in a report.

(website http://www.testworld.fi/)

Power Techniques Magazine

Power Techniques magazine is a very popular Greek motoring magazine with a reputation for high quality and accurate test results. The content of the magazine is strongly technical, with in depth articles on engine and suspension technology alongside detailed road / dynamometer testing of different vehicles.

Traditionally, Power Techniques used a rotary wheel speed sensor which attached to the outside of a wheel and calibrated this over a known distance.

Power Techniques test all kinds of vehicles, from Dragsters to Jet skis, and required a piece of test equipment that was quick and easy to fit.

Costas Papatriantafliou the proprietor of the magazine says "I have tried a number of ways of obtaining accurate results over the years, and not until I used the VBOX was I satisfied."

"..not only does it give me accurate results, but we can fit the system in seconds."

Power Techniques use the VBOX to produce all of their acceleration and braking figures, and also use the VBOX to analyse the circuit performance of various cars.

They have mapped all of the Greek race circuits, taking the VBOX around the outside and the inside of each circuit. They then overlay the driving line on top of the circuit outline to produce an analysis of each driver/car combination.

In a recent article, they put the VBOX on a fast power boat to analyse the performance. Surprisingly the boat managed a top speed of 102.4 km/h, and managed to pull almost 2g in a turn.

On another occasion they fitted the VBOX to a Jet powered dragster. They recorded 0-60 in 1.1s whilst pulling 2.5g, a top speed of 430.8 km/h, and when the parachute was deployed, there was a deceleration of over 6g !

It is interesting features such as these which have helped to make Power Techniques magazine one of the best selling motoring magazines in Greece.

(website http://www.powermag.gr/)