FIA Launch Low Cost Impact Data Recorder with Impact Detect

STAFFORDSHIRE, UK – 26 February 2021 – Developed by the FIA Safety Department in collaboration with AiM Technologies (Impact Detect) in the UK, the IDR device will cost just £25; a fraction of current Accident Data Recorder (ADR) price. Whilst ADRs are currently fitted in just the top 1% of race cars globally; IDR’s low price gives the opportunity of gaining relevant incident data at all levels of racing.

The Objective

A key objective of the FIA Safety Department is to gather and understand objective incident and impact data and use this to reduce the risk of fatalities and injuries, improving safety in the sport.

Data collected by the FIA globally shows that 99 per cent of fatal accidents occur in amateur level motor sport and no impact data is currently being gathered from these incidents. IDR will allow mass real world crash data to be collected, giving ASNs an understanding of crash sequences. Through the ongoing review of impact data, they will be also be able to identify specific accident trends and potential safety hazards.

During the conception of IDR, it was imperative for the FIA Safety Department to develop a product that easily recorded incident data for analysis, in addition to it being affordable for every competitor and easily installed without technical support.

The result is a small and novel device, measuring just 6cm and weighing 12grams, that will not interrupt drivers. Housed in a smart polymer casing, the IDR requires no wiring or mounting with its simple ‘fit and forget’ adhesion installation. What’s more, it requires absolutely no maintenance and its internal battery is capable of recording over 80 incidents during its two-year lifespan. The device instantly records all high G impact data and is also programmed to capture all secondary impact data.

The IDR is part of a system that includes a secure access mobile application, allowing impact data to be downloaded from the IDR, stored securely on a cloud server and then distributed to the owning ASN. The App allows the user to not only download the impact data, but also submit supplementary information such as; driver details; vehicle details; incident photographs and additional information. The reporting functionality offered by the app allows the ASN to gain a better perspective of every incident through more thorough incident reporting and accompanying impact information, all being held in one database.

IDR offers many benefits to ASNs, circuits and drivers, including the possibility of reduced insurance premiums, more track time and identifying trends that may lead to the refinement of cars, circuits and safety equipment.

Adam Baker, FIA Safety Director, said:

“By utilising the latest advancements in consumer electronics we have been able to achieve a very low-cost device, making it possible for wide scale adoption in grass roots competition. We encourage all ASNs to integrate this innovative new data recorder into their range of safety devices.”

About Impact Detect

Impact Detect patented impact detection technology is small, lightweight, low-cost, robust and battery powered.

These properties make our technology easy to integrate within both new and existing helmets, PPE or monitoring equipment with little or no issues relating to weight or wearer comfort. To date Impact Detect solutions have been integrated for use in the motorsport, mobility and team sport markets. The use cases for Impact Detect technology span virtually any market where a helmet is required, from mining and construction, to military, rescue services and sports.