[MrFlippant]

That is very helpful, thank you!
What do you think about integrating a touch display screen? Will it distract you while racing?

A touch display of the size that would fit on the side of a typical slot car controller would not be any more user friendly than a few buttons or knobs. Besides, what would you display on it?

If you want to have so much control over the throttle response that you believe a display is needed (beyond the position of a couple of knobs, for example), then one could use a very small OLED display but use the knobs and buttons for input/management of the settings. Take a look at the Scorpius Wireless controller for an example of that, or the one in development by Sillage Racing, where he shows the actual throttle curve on the screen while you make adjustments with the knobs/buttons.

As Alan said, these things are fine to mess with between races or while testing, but not during a race. You'll need quick, tactile buttons for both lane changing and brakes (which, while not adjustable, are still used for a variety of functions). Maybe having quick access to one knob that adjusts something about the throttle curve, such as min speed or max speed, could be handy during a race, but only if it's something that can be adjusted while not looking at the knob or a screen. One must keep an eye on their car while racing, but can usually turn a knob or press a button with their non-trigger hand.

[Gordon Steadman]

If you want to be different from what's out there already, make it operable with the correct part of the human anatomy

[Nonfractal]

NoRulAmeen,
If you want to really look at controllers and their use, come and visit one of the UK clubs 

At clubs I see mainly Slot.IT SCP and truspeed controllers
Both are good, but neither is perfect. 
Come and have a look. 
Londonslotcarclub.com
Nascotwoodslotcarclub.co.uk.

If you want to see large scale use of digital, visit the OxigenLeMans 24hour at the start If April.
Oxigen is based on scalextric digital and is licensed as such.
Contact information on officialdisca.com 
Derby rolls Royce moors Road. 

I do have a list of "wants" for a controller.
You will find lots of discussions and information on the main forum platforms.
Alan.

[Noorulameen]

Thank you Alan

That is great information! I would definitely have a look.
In the meantime, can you list a few 'wants' for the controller you are aware of?

[woodcote]

As this is seems to be a project to design a premium wireless controller for Scalextric powerbases, perhaps some input from Scalextric users would give a good balance? My thoughts, starting with what's already available from Scalextric...

As a entry-level controller, I'm a big fan of the current Scalextric model - both in the standard analogue and the ARC versions. They are essentially the same handle, with has a good shape to hold comfortably and is a perfect compromise, in terms of size, to suit children's and adult's hands. The trigger is nice and springy - not too hard, not too soft. On the ARC controller, the buttons for digital racing are nice and big, positioned in an accessible place and work with a reassuring click. The wired analogue version has a sturdy sliding switch, which limits the travel of the trigger - allowing beginners and younger drivers to have fun and gradually learn to control their cars. The ARC controller has this power limiting element embedded in the ARC app software.

I guess the current standard controllers follow the 'Goldilocks principle' in that they are a good compromise for the target audience. I think they do a really good job.

Moving on to a 'premium' hand throttle, the problem is that a Goldilocks solution is not acceptable - slot car racers have a very wide range of personal preferences. And - to be frank - there can be some 'Emperor's New Clothes' thinking, or the opposite. In addition, some racers - like Gordon - can only drive successfully with a thumb-plunger controller, so any trigger controller is not for them. The vast majority of racers prefer a trigger controller - and people have already mentioned the important of being able to adjust sensitivity, braking, the throttle 'curve' etc.

I get the impression that this controller is not being designed as a competitor to Slot.it, Truspeed, DS, Carsteen etc to use at slot car clubs... it is a premium controller to work exclusively with Scalextric wireless powerbases. I think that's a big untapped market and a very sensible move. There are things to learn from the other manufacturers' controllers - both things to include and to avoid.

However, my wish list for a premium Scalextric controller (as an enthusiastic Scalextric user) would be...

• A comfortable full-size handle with a comfortable trigger
  
• The trigger spring tension can be adjusted from super-soft to fairly hard
  
• Digital buttons (lane change and brake) in same position as ARC controller
  
• A dial or knob to adjust the sensitivity of the controller (equivalent to the ohmage of an analogue controller)
  
• A dial or knob to adjust brake sensitivity from dynamic braking (if this is available in the powerbase firmware and race control software)
  
• Wireless range that is long enough to use in a church hall or school sports hall
  
• A small display to indicate which channel (or lane for analogue) the controller is connected to. A colour (ie green, red, blue, yellow, orange, white) would be ideal, but a number (1-6) is sufficient
  
• Either rumble or flashing lights (or both) to link to features in a race control software
  
• LEDs on the side - along the plane of the resistor barrel - to show increased power in green and brake position in red. Like on a racing game screen. Okay, not functional, but cool :-)
  
• Power from rechargeable AA batteries or a proprietary rechargeable battery pack (Slot.it have had problems with the changing size of their preferred third-party pack)
  
• Rechargeable via a 5v micro USB cable (ie Android phone cable)
  
• Charging / fully-charged LED
  
• Power-on light (the red of the LED strip)
  
• Low battery indicator (flashing LED strip?) - probably needs to be bigger and more prominent than the charging / fully-charged LED
  
• Wrist strap
  
• Access to the wiper board (unless it is wiper-less) to allow easy cleaning and maintenance
  
• A price point of somewhere between £40 and £60 (the price of a Scalextric car).
  

Finally, within the parameters of a comfortable handle and trigger - and one that doesn't stray too far from the classic Russkit/Parma shape - I'd like to see a controller that is decisively modern, 'different' and beautiful.

Good luck!

[Noorulameen]

Thank you so much for the comprehensive overview, I have noted all the points.
And truly value the time and effort.