OPTIMIZING ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND DRIVER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IN SOLAR RACING: AN INTEGRATED AUGMENTED REALITY AND TELEMETRY APPROACH

Abstract

Solar car racing represents the pinnacle of efficiency engineering, requiring precise management of limited energy resources under dynamic environmental conditions. Traditional strategies rely heavily on radio communication and static dashboard telemetry, which often induce high cognitive load and distract drivers from the primary task of vehicle control. This study proposes a novel framework integrating real-time telemetry with Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance driver situational awareness and energy management. Drawing on recent advancements in embedded computing and data visualization, we designed a system where critical telemetry data—such as battery thermal status, solar irradiance, and optimal speed targets—are projected directly into the driver’s field of view. We conducted a comparative simulation study involving experienced drivers to evaluate the efficacy of this AR interface against traditional dashboard systems. The methodology utilized a high-fidelity digital twin of a solar vehicle, incorporating heuristic optimization algorithms for race strategy. Results indicate a statistically significant reduction in driver reaction time to critical system faults and an improvement in overall energy efficiency when utilizing the AR interface. Furthermore, subjective workload assessments revealed that while the AR system presents more data, it lowers the overall cognitive burden by contextually filtering information. This research bridges the gap between mechanical design and human-computer interaction, suggesting that the future of high-efficiency racing lies not just in aerodynamic optimization, but in the seamless integration of driver and data.