RaceTime App idea.

[GromRipperBaker]

Hi guys, I am curious if any of you might be willing to give me some feedback on a design that I am working on for an app idea that I have. Not sure if this could ever become a functional app but the process starts here with some research. I have been doing some laps in my back yard and using an existing Lap Timer app to record my lap times from the camera feed and it does seem to work pretty well but I usually want to do some further analysis with the data and I wish it had these features built in.

Would you like to use an app like this?
What features would you like to see?
What kind of vehicles and challenges would you like to be able to see and share with other people?
How do you feel about the concept of bringing R/C enthusiasts and racers together like this?
Have you seen or used anything like this concept before?

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance and I hope you all have a great day!

 

[Alwaysonauto]

How is the App getting info on when, just as a for instance, the car crosses the start/finish line?

 

[GromRipperBaker]

It uses live camera feed and detects motion, kinda limited to use with just one car as it is but it does seem to record the times with pretty good accuracy.

 

[Alwaysonauto]

I see. I'm thinking in terms of more than one car, possibly as many as three or more at a time. My son has built a track and I'm sure the twins will want to race Grandpa since he has his own trucks now.

 

[GromRipperBaker]

From what I hear, the LapMonitor works pretty good for multiple cars but I think they need transponders. This would just be a free to use app with ads or $5 without or something. There is something out that does this and it's supposed to see the difference between multiple cars but it always crashes on my phone. It's called R/C Timing on the app store, might be worth a try.

Glad to hear about the track! Track building has always been a fun part of the hobby for me. Please let me know what kind of laps you guys are running when you get some recorded! I'd love to kinda sorta race too!

 

[luke66]

I’ve used RC lap timing, doesn’t work.

So, if this works, this would be rad!!
Having color tracking for more than one car would be great though.

 

[GromRipperBaker]

Definitely agree on the concept of tracking multiple cars! I also think that the technology to do it is probably about there. Whether everyone has a phone that can handle the object recognition may just be another story. Maybe that RC Timing app works great for some people with certain phones, as of now, I see it has gotten 31 ratings. So I would guess that some have had good luck with it.

I have an old IPhone SE and it just sorta crashes when I hit finish or whatever. I'm still not sure if it shows race metrics or lets a community of users share race info. I feel like my idea leans more towards getting people in the hobby interacting with each other in new ways and trying to sorta bridge the gap between bashing and racing in some way.

My goal is just to bring people together to share the fun somehow. If enough people want this, a manufacturer could take my design and run with it for all I care and probably stand to make a few bucks. Who knows, could turn into something like online multiplayer to the R/C community. More people out there with motivation to drive hard and push their limits, buying more cars, parts, upgrades etc.

In the end, I'm sure the capabilities of the app would be limited by the budgetary constraints of the company to put it together and make it available. If it proved to help them turn profit, they could improve the app based on real feedback. It all starts with us letting them know what we would like to see.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I like your idea. Anything that brings the hobby together is a good thing I think.
If this app gets put into action by a good company with honorable intent for the hobby and the ppl in it, it could be fantastic!
If it gets bought up by Google... gps, camera and microphone access etc... it would be just like most of the other invasive apps and I won't even entertain it.
I do like your idea! Its a good one and it could be a hit. This is the reality of how I look at apps and most technology today. I'm not sure how other ppl feel about any of it but I leave my phone inside when I run my RC. Its MY time.
Its a matter of how the app is run and by who for me.
I enjoy sharing my rc experiences here so sharing race experiences on an app could be equally fun and rewarding.
I hope you find a way to make this work.

 

[GromRipperBaker]

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who thinks this could be cool. Good app design starts with a good creative idea that can then be proposed to the potential user groups. If the feedback of the people aligns with a companies goals, they get to work on making a prototype and testing it. I don't have any money but I do have my creativity.

Definitely agree on the privacy and aside from the social aspect if that were to be implemented in the app, I would want it to work offline and not actually store any video data other than the screenshot it takes when a car crosses the line. For now I just use the Lap Timer app which does seem to work pretty good at snapping a shot at the front half of the car when it enters the view. For the simplicity of the app and the fact that it's free, I thought this was pretty good for casual use.

For now we can kinda test the theory with using that app or something like it and plugging the numbers into ChatGPT to easily get the metrics without having to do math and all. We can share results on this social platform and see how many people are into it. As for making it work, I think I might be able to make a minimum viable product without the social stuff. I will keep you posted if I figure out how to get something on the app store.

Thank you guys so much for taking your time to consider this concept! All of your input is of great value and I can't tell you how glad I am that nobody seems to be saying it's a silly idea or a waste of time. I have done plenty of racing and bashing in all my years of R/C and I feel like we could really use something in between. Something just simple and fun for anyone anywhere with any vehicle.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who thinks this could be cool. Good app design starts with a good creative idea that can then be proposed to the potential user groups. If the feedback of the people aligns with a companies goals, they get to work on making a prototype and testing it. I don't have any money but I do have my creativity.

Definitely agree on the privacy and aside from the social aspect if that were to be implemented in the app, I would want it to work offline and not actually store any video data other than the screenshot it takes when a car crosses the line. For now I just use the Lap Timer app which does seem to work pretty good at snapping a shot at the front half of the car when it enters the view. For the simplicity of the app and the fact that it's free, I thought this was pretty good for casual use.

For now we can kinda test the theory with using that app or something like it and plugging the numbers into ChatGPT to easily get the metrics without having to do math and all. We can share results on this social platform and see how many people are into it. As for making it work, I think I might be able to make a minimum viable product without the social stuff. I will keep you posted if I figure out how to get something on the app store.

Thank you guys so much for taking your time to consider this concept! All of your input is of great value and I can't tell you how glad I am that nobody seems to be saying it's a silly idea or a waste of time. I have done plenty of racing and bashing in all my years of R/C and I feel like we could really use something in between. Something just simple and fun for anyone anywhere with any vehicle.

I think there could be quite a following if its done right. I think the 'community' element is important. Profiles of the ppl you know or race 'with' or 'against' could add lots of fun too.
A place to show your car and your track with options for comments maybe?
Photos and vids would be the only way the app would become popular I think but if and when the camera is filming needs to be 100% controlled by the user.
I feel strongly about this and VERY limited data collection because its VERY likely that kids will be using this as well as adults.
There should also be a driver ability, car class ( roar classes prob)... so noobs aren't getting blown out by $20k builds and bored/mean pro drivers.
Theres a TON of ways this could go because a rock racing class and a monster truck class, typhon, nitro... ALL can use this to race.
For instance, my Optima Mid is classed as Kyosho, 4wd, modified, vintage... and I could select to post my results within those classes but not for Arrma or Slash classes ( for example) and see how my results stack up with others within each class.
My brain sort of wanders with things like this. Sorry if I'm going off course.

 

[GromRipperBaker]

By all means, go off course! I love it!

I know what you mean about the camera being involved, and having control of the app and what gets shared or uploaded absolutely needs to be up to the user and I wouldn't have it any other way, the sharing of anything would be totally optional.

The intention is not really for it all to be taken too seriously and I don't know if serious racers would really compete this way. The idea is just to get some sort of connections between drivers to have a little friendly competition or at least some kinds of goals for people just out driving alone or with some friends.

I just know from my personal experience building tracks and driving for practice is a lot of fun and all but actually timing the laps definitely makes it more serious and gives metrics to compare, any two or more people anywhere in the world with the same or comparable vehicles could compare times and see their improvements or mistakes. Even real racing at the track has it's variables, every time a car needs to be put back on its' wheels can take a variable amount of time even in the most well run races. Last race I was at, I saw a guy get stuck under a jump (indoor off-road)

 

[CertifiedMike]

By all means, go off course! I love it!

I know what you mean about the camera being involved, and having control of the app and what gets shared or uploaded absolutely needs to be up to the user and I wouldn't have it any other way, the sharing of anything would be totally optional.

The intention is not really for it all to be taken too seriously and I don't know if serious racers would really compete this way. The idea is just to get some sort of connections between drivers to have a little friendly competition or at least some kinds of goals for people just out driving alone or with some friends.

I just know from my personal experience building tracks and driving for practice is a lot of fun and all but actually timing the laps definitely makes it more serious and gives metrics to compare, any two or more people anywhere in the world with the same or comparable vehicles could compare times and see their improvements or mistakes. Even real racing at the track has it's variables, every time a car needs to be put back on its' wheels can take a variable amount of time even in the most well run races. Last race I was at, I saw a guy get stuck under a jump (indoor off-road)

Jeez! Thats a fast way to break a shock tower!
I think the younger kids might get into the profiles and really competing... there are TONS of kids who behave this way in online video games right now.
Cool built up profiles with badd azz characters ready to battle, adventure etc all day long... parents WANT their kids outside in a safe place... like a back yard track!!! Are you following me here?
This COULD be a real hit!
An RC is no more expensive than a game system, controllers and a few games. Add monitor and extras and those game systems are big money so theres no arguement there either. A back yard track needs to be no more expensive than a couple old paper plates on the grass.
This can keep kids busy indoors on a rainy day too. So thats a win!
If its built correctly, a far safer thing than FB is too.

 

[GromRipperBaker]

THANK YOU! That's another thing I was getting at, people tend to want to compete as soon as they get any good at something and then it just goes on from there. When I was growing up, there was no lap timer apps or things like that except for at the track, so I had no idea if I was any good or not but I just tried to drive my best. Now we can kinda figure it out and get an idea what it takes to really go racing before going to the track.

I started racing in my early teens and I think back then I was one of the youngest if not the youngest guy at the track and I didn't do badly but I didn't have real competitive equipment and that frankly kinda sucked. I was racing on lawn mowing money while these grown men with careers could go nuts with their spending on the racing. Still seems to be the same situation today. What if all that mattered was that your fastest lap was comparable to someone else and you could just compete against each other for consistent driving..

What if we could make competition in this hobby more like video games and everyone could have a shot at feeling good about their driving with improvement?

Man I found out the shock tower on the Typhon grom was also the chassis and I was like oh... definitely gotta do something about that. Bolted some kind of traxxas bumper mount to the mojave bumper I got and it seems to work great! Lot's of upside down high speed landings and it's all good, super bouncy. I do love the look of that GPM aluminum shock tower thing but I think I could surely just break more stuff anyway.

 

[CertifiedMike]

THANK YOU! That's another thing I was getting at, people tend to want to compete as soon as they get any good at something and then it just goes on from there. When I was growing up, there was no lap timer apps or things like that except for at the track, so I had no idea if I was any good or not but I just tried to drive my best. Now we can kinda figure it out and get an idea what it takes to really go racing before going to the track.

I started racing in my early teens and I think back then I was one of the youngest if not the youngest guy at the track and I didn't do badly but I didn't have real competitive equipment and that frankly kinda sucked. I was racing on lawn mowing money while these grown men with careers could go nuts with their spending on the racing. Still seems to be the same situation today. What if all that mattered was that your fastest lap was comparable to someone else and you could just compete against each other for consistent driving..

What if we could make competition in this hobby more like video games and everyone could have a shot at feeling good about their driving with improvement?

Man I found out the shock tower on the Typhon grom was also the chassis and I was like oh... definitely gotta do something about that. Bolted some kind of traxxas bumper mount to the mojave bumper I got and it seems to work great! Lot's of upside down high speed landings and it's all good, super bouncy. I do love the look of that GPM aluminum shock tower thing but I think I could surely just break more stuff anyway.

Theres always time for more breakage and always finding new ways to do it!

We were ALL noobs at the track once. All scared and intimidated a bit maybe... I def felt out of place and class when I started. Very nervous to not crash or crash anyone else.
I was young when I started racing but not the youngest.
There was a young kid who drove... pretty well actually. But his dad he did ALL the wrenching. Since his boy was too young for a Lambo, daddy bought him this! Boy wasn't it nice to watch him break and dnf when it happened.
It took me some time to figure out what was good and bad on the track too. How to not be another brick in the wall... fastest isn't always winner... What cars actually suited me... lots of time spent learning.
I'm still not a good driver. Its been too long since I raced last!
Getting ppl thru the 'noob' fears and making sure there are classes for EVERYONE to get a fair shot at a win will keep ppl coming back.
No fun getting shut down EVERY time you try!
I think the stock classes will really help ppl get into the hobby without breaking the bank. After that, its up to the individual to learn set up, driving styles and how to run their cars... if the competition is hot enough, I think ppl will love it.
Getting ppl together to race virtually is a great ice breaker and community builder.

 

[GromRipperBaker]

Man that's kinda the thing right?! Racers are pretty serious! I was really glad to see the Slash class being raced at my local track and totally got into it even though I had been racing before. What a great way to get people into the racing scene but I think what I saw was something that was not unique to where I was and that was racing them against the best drivers at the track and they were very good.

I think after a while, the best drivers felt how I did and tried to respect it as a beginner class and just let the beginners experience the thrill of winning an A-main! Honestly I feel like that's the coolest thing I ever saw in the hobby. Everyone needs a chance to really race against someone at their level and even if we never could be the best driver in the world, at least be able to find good competitors and have a blast.

The whole point of all of this is to bring the thrill of motorsport to the people who can't afford to race full sized cars right, so why does it have to be so serious when it comes to racing? I think all of us can find common ground with other people out there but it's just a matter of how exactly we can do that and make it more fun for everyone..

 

[CertifiedMike]

Man that's kinda the thing right?! Racers are pretty serious! I was really glad to see the Slash class being raced at my local track and totally got into it even though I had been racing before. What a great way to get people into the racing scene but I think what I saw was something that was not unique to where I was and that was racing them against the best drivers at the track and they were very good.

I think after a while, the best drivers felt how I did and tried to respect it as a beginner class and just let the beginners experience the thrill of winning an A-main! Honestly I feel like that's the coolest thing I ever saw in the hobby. Everyone needs a chance to really race against someone at their level and even if we never could be the best driver in the world, at least be able to find good competitors and have a blast.

The whole point of all of this is to bring the thrill of motorsport to the people who can't afford to race full sized cars right, so why does it have to be so serious when it comes to racing? I think all of us can find common ground with other people out there but it's just a matter of how exactly we can do that and make it more fun for everyone..

When you're in novice, its a safe class to learn AND win.
Once you get into big dog territory, its about winning but within your class still. Its a pretty reasonable system when the governing body (Roar) actually has their sh!t together on what the rules actually ARE.
Its up to the tracks and racers to be honest and provide regular car inspections to KEEP ppl honest from there I guess.
Ppl moan but end of the day, most racers want to win by being a better driver and building/setting up a better car, not by building a cheater motor and sending your esc out for 'upgrades' etc.
I think most ppl are honest but thats not saying everyone will be. Maybe there needs to be a governing body to call out when someone's 'stock' RC10 is doing 48 mph around every track it goes to.
Algorithms and such.