Unleashing skills: Going beyond numerical analysis in evaluating abilities and future promise
In a recent test drive organised by Toyota, two drivers, Eisuke Sasaki and Yuki Shimoyama, showcased their skills in the art of precision steering. The focus of the test was on "turning" and "stopping", essential aspects of driving that require finesse and control.
Eisuke Sasaki, a veteran in the field, has been racing in the Super Taikyu Series in a GR86. His passion for bikes and machinery dates back to his childhood, and his expertise in steering stability made him the perfect candidate for this test. On the other hand, Yuki Shimoyama, who joined the company in 2019, is a young challenger with a passion for cars. He drives his own TOYOTA 86 in rallies and aspires to be a test driver.
The test required the drivers to perform a lane change with a steering angle of just about 3 degrees twice. The graph shows the steering operations during these trials for both Sasaki and Shimoyama. The blue-encircled section of the graph represents the steering actions from turning to returning.
Sasaki's steering actions form a parallelogram, indicating symmetrical force in both turning and returning. This symmetry is a testament to his consistent and precise steering. In contrast, Shimoyama's actions show a quicker return than the turn, resulting in an imperfect parallelogram. His steering actions extend up to 7 degrees, while Sasaki performs delicate steering adjustments of about 3 degrees.
The consistency in Sasaki's steering returning operation is evident in the graph, with the solid lines overlapping in both runs. However, Shimoyama shows variation in the force applied with each run, as indicated by the non-overlapping dotted lines.
While the data suggests that high sensitivity among test drivers improves their understanding of a car's performance, it does not definitively show a difference in the consistent replication of car movements at a 3-degree steering precision level between young and veteran test drivers. Nonetheless, driver experience typically contributes to better anticipation and motor control during complex maneuvers, potentially enhancing reproducibility of precise steering inputs.
Shimoyama was chosen as a test driver while attending the Toyota Technical Skills Academy. The experiment is comparing the perception skills of young and veteran test drivers. As a test driver, Sasaki must operate with a keen sense of even the slightest force applied, requiring constant focus, accumulation of experience, and honing of skills.
The test drivers' ability to fine-tune minor steering adjustments ensures that customers can drive more effortlessly. Safety systems such as lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control help maintain precise control and could level differences between drivers with varied experience. Advanced sim rigs emphasize stability and precision, often used by both novice and experienced drivers to improve control fidelity, indicating that replicability in steering precision can be trained or enhanced regardless of driver age.
In conclusion, while the data does not provide direct empirical evidence on the difference between young and veteran test drivers in terms of steering precision, the performance of Sasaki and Shimoyama in this test underscores the importance of experience and precision in driving. The test is part of the Advanced Technical Skills Institute Division, demonstrating Toyota's commitment to fostering the development of skilled drivers.
- The graph shows that Eisuke Sasaki, with his years of experience, performs delicate steering adjustments of about 3 degrees, demonstrating a lifestyle that values precision and control, much like his passion for bikes and machinery.
- In the future, technology in the form of safety systems like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control could potentially level the playing field between young and veteran drivers, allowing them to reap the benefits of a more precise lifestyle in their driving.
