Validation of Telemetry Data Acquisition Using GoPro Cameras

Several GoPro camera models contain Global Positioning System (GPS), accelerometer, and gyroscope instrumentation and are capable of measuring and recording position, velocity, acceleration, and inertial data. This study evaluates the accuracy of data obtained from GoPro cameras through a series of controlled tests. A test vehicle was instrumented with a Racelogic VBOX data acquisition unit as well as various generations of GoPro camera units equipped with GPS capability and driven on a road course. The raw data collected with the GoPro cameras and the translations of this data provided by the GoPro Quik desktop software application were compared to data collected with the validated VBOX data acquisition unit. The results demonstrated that position, velocity, and acceleration data recorded with GoPro cameras is consistent with VBOX data and is useful for applications related to accident reconstruction.