GM patents camera system that launches car on drag strip lights

General Motors has patented a system that uses a camera to watch a drag strip's starting lights and launches the car by itself, the company's filing shows. The patent describes a setup that manages the brakes and throttle to deliver consistent launches away from the line.

The system is built to read the two light layouts used at drag strips: the Pro Tree and the Sportsman Tree. It tracks the sequence of lights and then times the brake, torque and throttle to get the car moving. The patent does not name any future GM model, so it is not yet clear which vehicle, if any, would use it.

How the launch works

A drag race starts when the lights count down, and drivers have to react in fractions of a second. A launch that is too early can lead to a disqualification, while one that is too late costs time. The GM system is meant to remove that reaction gap by handing the timing to a computer that watches the lights directly.

The patent is described as producing remarkably consistent launches. It does not say how the system performs in real conditions, such as wet or cold track surfaces, and no independent tests of it have been reported.

Background and what comes next

Automakers have added launch-control features to performance cars for years, but those typically work from a fixed rev limit rather than a live light signal. Patents show what a company has explored and do not mean a feature will reach production.

For Indian drivers, the news has no direct impact now, since no GM model with this system has been announced for sale in India. GM has not said whether the technology will be offered on any road car or when that might happen.