[ScorpiusWireless]

Thanks mate, yes a very interesting project, or at least a very interesting “look”. Not a project just yet. But you never know. We need to know what we’re up against before launching into it.

The advantage would be the motors fit straight in and are sensored. Kyosho make over a dozen BL controllers but none are small enough that I can see. 
In any case I’m after a one chip does all solution.
Here’s the smallest I’ve found for sensored. 10A nice. Issue is they are low revving motors not suitable for slots. I’m sure they have others
But an interesting bit of research
regardless.

As you can see below the ESC or BL controller, whatever you want to call it, is only marginally smaller than the Scorpius MPD. And bigger than the proposed Mini MPD. (Same board, no JSTs).
The more research it the more the more I realise sensorless is a no brainer.

Smallest ESCs for Sensored Brushless Motors
Based on the provided web results and relevant industry knowledge, the smallest ESCs for sensored brushless motors suitable for slot car applications are:
1.  Furitek Microboost Brushless ESC:
•  Dimensions: 18.5mm x 13.8mm x 6mm
•  Weight: Approximately 3g (without wires)
•  Specifications:
•  Supports 2S–3S LiPo (7.4V–11.1V), suitable for slot car track voltages (12–14.8V).
•  Continuous current: ~10A (exact rating varies by configuration; sufficient for Mini-Z motors like XSPEED 41 or 56, which draw 5–15A).
•  Sensored and sensorless operation, fully compatible with Kyosho XSPEED sensored motors (4100KV, 5600KV, 8500KV).
•  Programmable via Furitek app for throttle curves, braking, and low-voltage cutoff.
•  Suitability for Slot Cars: Its ultra-compact size makes it ideal for fitting into tight 1/28 or 1/32 scale slot car chassis (e.g., Mini-Z on Plafit or Atomic MRT). The sensored operation ensures smooth low-speed control, critical for digital slot car racing with lane changes (e.g., Scorpius system).
•  Availability: Widely available through RC retailers like AMain Hobbies and Amazon, commonly used in Mini-Z RC racing and adaptable for slot cars.

[ScorpiusWireless]

Double post

[A Gillespie]

All thoroughly good research and results  , imitation as they say is the ultimate form of flattery  .

[ScorpiusWireless]

I found this online???? :wavegreen:
   

[A Gillespie]

That must of been a Pom Pom hat day 

[ScorpiusWireless]

John received the MCF8316D Dev Kit on Monday and took a day off his break and spent quite a few hours since trying to configure a small motor that and another from the package that arrived yesterday. So far the team has only been able to spin them up in what's called the motor parameter extraction phase. At the moment we don't know why it's not progressing to the closed loop run phase and it's a hell of a learning curve trying to understand the dozens of parameters that need to be understood and configured.
Nothing ventured nothing gained but the evaluation exercise shows it’s a whole new frontier and won’t be a walk in the park. This is too big to tackle now as we need to complete the MPD although this nice distraction was fun it’s a separate project that has to wait in line. Reality.
However the assessment sees architecture, components, pcb requirements, a configuration method, a choice of motors, a development board materialise a deeper understanding of the brief and a long term plan all materialise. 
BL motors will be greatly and eventually appreciated in the digital community especially endurance events where clean BEMF, consistency and reliability is appreciated.

[ScorpiusWireless]

Sensored BL motors are the obvious choice for slots. Easier to achieve low down control, no cogging and nice braking due to accurate timing. 
However when searching for BL motors with the following criteria:
1. Sensored
2. 18mm diameter (NSR King is 35x20x15mm so I set the limit at 18mm as an average)
3. Must have a matching ESC.
4. Must have a 2.0mm diameter shaft to suit slot cars.
5. ESC must be under 30x15x6mm
……the results are concerning.

So how many did I come up with?
One. I’m sure there’s more but that’s all I could find. And it’s a low Kv one.
Repeat: One.

Most were 1.5mm shaft 
Most were over 18mm
Most motors to choose from are drone motors.
Most drone motors are sensorless.
Most have a matching ESC way too large for slot cars. Some as big as 88x50mm.
Most sensored motors are 1.5- 5 times the price of sensorless.
So criteria for a brushless motor must be based on what is best OVERALL. 
Both have plus and minuses.
1. Availability. 
2. Size.
3. Fitting.
4. Brakes.
5. Cogging.
6. Matching ESC available.
7. ESC acceptable size.
8. Ability to configure.
9. Range.
10.Price. 

It seems sensored is not important in the R/C hobby as 99% are sensorless. Most drone motors are sensorless to save money and complexity but still achieve fine control. Hmmmm.
Is the industry (driven by consumer demand) saying something here?

So as much as much as I’d prefer to use sensored for its easy anti cogging and braking qualities it wouldn’t work in the real world on a commercial level. Sure it means more work but it’s not a problem for those engineers who can write proper firmware.

[Kevan]

RC car racers only use sensored brushless for reasons previously mentioned on this subject.

Drones don't need smooth uptake from very low speeds like cars do as their motors working range is much higher rpm, cogging isn't a problem for them.

Some RC cars/buggies operate at walking pace so cogging is a significant problem and there's a huge range of sensored motors and ESC's on the market. 

Yes it would be nice to have options like that for Slot cars but is the market big enough to make it worthwhile developing these products?

[ScorpiusWireless]

I’m At this moment no. There is no chance to recover your investment and make a worthwhile profit. But in coming years yes. The reason being I can see BL becoming the standard as prices come down and manufacturing improves. 

The other part is until then enthusiasts will want compatible motor pods for the various motors that easily retrofit to your typical Italian and Spanish brands. That could be/will be a stumbling block for some/most. So an extra side to this equation perhaps.

[Kevan]

I can only see BL being the standard installation in RTR Slot cars if it's forced on the buyers by having no option other than Hobson's choice.

There's no way a BL motor/Ecom combo is going to cost no more than a mass produced cheap brushed motor. 

Digital may be a different ball game though if the Ecom doubles up as the digital unit.