LAS VEGAS (KSNV) - Some amazing technology is putting a quadriplegic race car driver back on the road after a devastating accident nearly two decades ago.
Sam Schmidt is a familiar face in Indianapolis. He used to drive IndyCar, currently owns a team and has remained a big force in racing after he was paralyzed in a crash years ago.
Now, he's back behind the wheel with a one-of-a-kind driver's license. Despite being told he would never be behind the wheel again, he proved everyone wrong on Wednesday when the State of Nevada issued him the nation's first autonomous vehicle restricted driver's license.
He can now drive his very own custom Corvette by tilting his head.
Nevada issues nation’s 1st autonomous vehicle driver’s license to Sam Schmidt, a former Indy driver paralyzed from neck down after accident. pic.twitter.com/J4Nrxp1AvH
— Kelsey Thomas (@KelseyNews3LV) September 28, 2016
Schmidt took the car out for a spin at Exotic Racing and then headed out on public roads.
"Unbelievable. Many emotions for sure," Sam Schmidt told KSNV, our NBC station in Las Vegas.
"The advancement technology in this car is just amazing. I feel completely normal, in control. We could go a lot faster if we needed to!" he continued.
16-years-ago, an accident left Schmidt paralyzed from the neck down.
Schmidt thought he would never drive again until he got a call from Colorado-based technology company Arrow Electronics.
"We just said why don't we put you behind the wheel again?" said Mike Long, CEO, Arrow Electronics.
"I thought they were nuts. I'm like of course, and I said, what company is this again?" said Schmidt.
A team of scientists and engineers built a high-tech car Schmidt can steer using only head movements.
When Schmidt turns his head left, the car turns left. When he turns right, the car turns right.
"There's also a mouthpiece he blows into, and that will accelerate the car. And when he sucks on it, that will brake the car," explained Long.
Perhaps the biggest moment of the day was when Nevada Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison presented Schmidt with the nation's first driver’s license for a semi-autonomous car.
Schmidt can now hit the open road in his Corvette as long as he has a passenger with him.
Amazing technology from @ArrowGlobal puts quadriplegic race car driver Sam Schmidt back on the road after devastating tragedy. @News3LV pic.twitter.com/PwJX518cXs
— Kelsey Thomas (@KelseyNews3LV) September 28, 2016
"Just as fast as our laws permit," said Nevada Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison.
Of course, that didn't stop Schmidt from doing donuts in the parking lot.
"I didn't want to destroy the tires first time out!" said Schmidt.
Schmidt's time behind the wheel has given him a new sense of freedom.
While he may have raced cars all over the world, Schmidt’s first order of business is quite simple.
"I gotta drive through the In-N-Out drive thru. It's been a long time,” noted Schmidt.
Schmidt also has his sights set on the beauty of the desert
"I love the roads around Lake Mead. Try and avoid the cops out there for sure," he explained.
