It's no secret that modern cars are simply “stuffed” with all kinds of electronic systems to assist the driver. More recently, a car owner could be proud that his car is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), and the presence of an exchange rate stability system (ESP) put his vehicle on the same level as a spaceship or Mars rover. This is of course a joke, but it really reflects the state of things in the domestic automobile market in the 2000s.
Next, I will talk about an assistant that has recently become available to a wide range of motorists - launch control.
Maximum turbine pressure
It's no secret that in the absence of accessible car tracks, the main sporting entertainment for street street racers is quarter-mile drag racing. The rules are simple. A straight and relatively uncongested section of the road is selected, and a platform is prepared for races with a temporary start and finish.
Article on the topic Men's "games" in the fresh air. What are off-road races like? Two cars start at the same time, and the winner is the race participant who develops the highest speed on a 402 m straight line. This is a race for maximum acceleration, and the battle is fought in hundredths of a second.
Naturally, the winning strategy here fits into one simple rule. Whoever starts better has a better chance of winning. And this can only be done when the engine reaches full power. A smooth start, as in everyday life, is not suitable here.
The clutch opens, and the engine with the turbocharger is spun up by gas to such speeds as to maintain full boost at the moment of start, that is, the maximum pressure of the turbine. Launch control is a great help here.
Application of Launch control or how to enable it
Let me make a reservation right away that there is no key as such to turn on Launch control. However, certain actions must be taken and conditions must be met:
- Starting from launch control must be carried out with a warm engine and gearbox, that is, it is not enough to stand for 10–15 minutes with the engine running, since in this case only the internal combustion engine will be warmed up, you need to drive at least 10 km so that the gearbox also operates at the required temperature mode;
- Disable the ESP stabilization and stability control system; Switch the gearbox selector to S (sport) mode;
- Leave your left foot on the brake pedal, and move your right foot, which was not previously used, to the fuel pedal;
- Press on the gas (the system will set the number of revolutions itself) and release the brake; Enjoying lightning-fast acceleration)))
I wanted to add a few words about safety to make overclocking safe. Launch control is not installed on all cars; it is installed on powerful and high-speed cars. Therefore, during intense acceleration, make sure that the road surface allows maximum torque to be realized on the drive wheels and that rapid acceleration will not interfere with other road users.
Now you know what launch control is, I hope the article was useful to you. See you soon!
Electronic racer
We were able to test its effect on a Porsche 911 Turbo with a 540-horsepower boxer engine at the Moscow Raceway. The main straight of the track was divided into an acceleration and braking section with a dedicated quarter-mile section (402 m). On it we had to test the technology in action.
The theory says that the more momentum you give the car during the start, the faster it will accelerate. To do this, experienced racers, such as Oleg Keselman, first revved the engine to the red zone, and then threw the clutch pedal in such a way that the maximum torque immediately pushed the car off the ground and it flew out like a cannonball. Further acceleration must be accomplished without wheel slipping, so as not to waste energy. Great skill is required from the driver when operating the gas pedal.
Photo: AiF/Vladimir Gavrilov
Unfortunately, not every person is capable of such a start the first time. Electronics come to the rescue.
Modern launch control used for drag racing cars imitates this algorithm. The Porsche 911 has all the settings already included, and there is no need to tinker with them. You simply switch the drive programmer to the “Sport++” mode, which turns off the traction control and stabilization systems, and then activate the launch control button on the center console.
Basic elements and capabilities of programs of this type
Now - just a first look at any Launch Manager. What it is is easy to determine (no matter what system it is designed for). The only thing worth noting here is that each of them has its own standard set of widgets that allow you to access certain functions.
What such toolkit is depends entirely on the software developer. But basically, there are several mandatory elements here, such as a volume control, a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth switch, settings for video mode and screen brightness, or the use of the so-called energy-saving mode (ECO).
The back of your head on the headrest
Before us is the main straight of Moscow Raceway in front of the high stands. We put the robotic gearbox selector in sport mode D, press the accelerator and hold the brake. You need to press on both pedals at once, and as hard as possible.
Photo: AiF/Vladimir Gavrilov
The engine revs up, roars, and the tachometer needle jumps to the red zone. The electronics itself controls the speed and prevents the engine from spinning up too much. The control unit interrupts signals to the ignition coils to keep it in the maximum power range.
Then we release the brake and the clutch suddenly engages. The Porsche 911 Turbo rushes forward with a wild roar, so much so that you painfully hit the back of your head against the headrest.
At this moment, you need to continue to press the accelerator, without fear that the engine has a power of 540 hp. With. will cause the wheels to slip. The electronics will allow only small slippage and will not allow the power unit to develop more power than is needed for acceleration. As a result, electronics, and not humans, control the process of gaining speed.
Photo: AiF/Vladimir Gavrilov
How launch control works
Most systems of this kind (for example, Gizzmo Electronics Launch Interface) create misfires in the cylinders, either separately or consecutively, while preventing the spark plugs from being flooded with gasoline. In this case, the moment the activated launch control system is turned off is monitored by two parameters: by a switch installed on the clutch pedal and by a signal from the speed sensor. The launch control system can interrupt the activation signal sent by the electronic control unit to the ignition coils in a certain order to prevent the engine from spinning above a predetermined rpm mark.
The launch control system is included in the design of the Kawasaki KX250F motocross motorcycle of the 2014 model year.
After the pilot releases the clutch, the rev limit is disabled and the second limit is activated. This second limit is triggered when the clutch is released, when the transmission of torque is interrupted. The second limit allows the driver to keep his foot on the floor on the gas pedal while changing gears until the very end of the race. Controlled engine speed when changing gears helps to avoid loss of traction when changing from gear to gear.
Robot only
For a long time, launch control was only available on cars with a manual transmission. On automatic machines with a torque converter, this is not possible, as there is a risk of damage to the torque converter. Now, with the introduction of preselective robotic boxes, launch control has been developed for them as well.
The most famous is the DSG gearbox on Volkswagen, which in a reinforced form is also available on sports models. Instead of a torque converter, there is a dual-clutch package, which copes much better with sudden starts.
Article on the topic
They came up with all sorts of things. Modern options in cars that scare beginners Therefore, the standard launch control mode can be seen on a number of Volkswagen cars. Such a box is now equipped with Scoda Octavia, Volkswagen Tiguan and other models with turbocharged engines.
The BMW M-series with a similar preselective robotic transmission has launch control. It is available not only on the Porsche 911 Turbo we tested, but also on the Panamera Turbo with the PDK Doppelkupplung sports robot.
According to Oleg Keselman, a driver who does not have special training in street racing can only achieve maximum rated acceleration on these cars using launch control.
History of launch control creation
The need to start as quickly as possible and without losing traction of the wheels with the road arose, obviously, in the first automobile race in the history of mankind. For a long time, before the advent of the first microprocessor systems that made it possible to control the operating parameters of various car systems, the optimal start was considered part of the racer's art.
Production vehicles equipped with launch control include the BMW M series, Bugatti Veyron and Porsche Panamera Turbo.
It all started with two-way telemetry. In 1985, Renault team engineers learned not only to remotely receive signals from the sensors of a car on the track, but also to transmit other signals that optimize the operation of a number of systems.
Later, when electronic systems reached a high level of development, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) banned the use of “electronic assistants” by Formula 1 teams under the pretext that the driver’s skill recedes into the background if they are present. After much debate, the use of two-way telemetry systems was again allowed, and then again prohibited in 2004, since, in the opinion of the FIA, excessive use of electronics requires too much development costs for new systems, which prevents the effective participation in low-budget racing. commands
Operation of the Launch X-431 scanner
Connect to the car's ECU through the connector under the car's interior panel. Set up your wireless connection and register. Create an account and configure basic settings to suit your needs.
Register the adapter:
When you turn on the device, by default, the program is in diagnostic mode. You need to select the engine of the model being tested from the list by marking. After carrying out diagnostic operations, the results are displayed on the screen in the form of decoding error codes. All information about previous diagnostic sessions (reports, time, location, and much more) is saved in the “Accounting” tab.
It is possible to link email to exchange information. Using an Internet browser, you can view and save links to Web pages.
When displaying test results, the scanner uses both a standard diagnostic program and creates screenshots from the screen for transfer to print or a flash drive. It can also send for printing via WiFi.
Finally, I will give some recommendations for working with the Launch X-431 scanner:
- If possible, it is advisable to use the English version. One of the disadvantages of this device is the incorrect Russification of the text, leading to inconsistencies in the technical regulations.
- Keep your software up to date. It is recommended to carry them out every two months. It has been noticed that versions ending with zeros after the decimal point (15.00, 16.00) are more stable than others (for example 15.01 or 16.48).
- Regularly renew your subscription and create archives for transferring to other media. The problem is that sometimes information can be lost or damaged due to program glitches. The password, login and the application itself are easy to recover, but the saved data will be irretrievably lost.
- Follow dealer documentation.
- Correctly evaluate the capabilities of the auto scanner. Some operations, so ardently desired, can only be performed by dealer scanners.
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What is a product launch
Product launch is the launch of a new product on the market. This is the stage when the product is already completely ready, and the main goal is to convince a potential buyer to purchase it. To achieve this, you need an active, well-thought-out marketing campaign. Practice shows that the buyer does not look for a new product on his own, therefore, if you want to ensure maximum demand before the start of the sale, you need to convey information to the consumer and arouse his interest in the product.
Why launch is so important
By the time a product is introduced to the market, a lot of effort, time and money have already been invested in development and production. If the launch is carried out correctly, then from the first days on the market the product will begin to recoup the investment, and subsequently make a profit. However, the slightest mistake during the launch period will lead to the fact that there will not be enough demand for the product, and, instead of the expected profit, the company will incur additional losses. To avoid this, you need to be well prepared before launching a product on the market.
Preparing for launch
Preparing a product for launch consists of many aspects: idea development, budgeting, production, documentation preparation and many others. In this article we will focus only on those points that relate to product promotion on the market.
Determining the target audience
Try to understand as clearly as possible who your potential buyer is and who will be interested in this product. The more precisely you define the market segment you will work with, the better you can study its habits, preferences and capabilities. Thanks to this, advertising and product promotion will be consumer-oriented, which means costs will decrease and sales will increase.
If you decide to release a new type of child car seat, target car owners aged 25 to 45 who have small children. Naturally, people who do not fit these parameters can buy a car seat, but they are not your main target audience.
Studying competitors
Absolutely unique products rarely appear on the modern market; as a rule, your product will have analogues. Before launching a product, find out what similar products are on the market and which companies will be your main competitors. Studying the work of competitors will help you determine their strengths and weaknesses, as well as understand what the demand for this category of goods is and how often they are purchased. From this you will calculate the estimated sales volume of the new product.
If you decide to open a music school, find out:
- What music schools exist in the city or region.
- What percentage of children attend music schools?
- What level of teaching do competitors offer?
- What form of training is most popular?
- What is the cost of education in existing schools.
Determining product benefits
Before you start promoting a product on the market, determine its advantages over existing analogues.
If your company releases a new camera model, the advantages include:
- high quality shooting;
- adaptability to various types of shooting;
- low price;
- ease of use;
- convenient and attractive design.
Secrets of a successful launch
Often, despite proper preparation and quality products, a company fails to achieve expected sales at the launch stage. We'll share a few secrets that will help make your launch more successful.
Timely product launch
Some company owners want to get their product to market as quickly as possible. Others, on the contrary, are delaying the launch in order to better prepare. Each of these approaches has disadvantages, so you need to choose the optimal time.
On the one hand, if you rush to launch a product, the market will not yet be ready for it, and the product itself will not be fully developed. In this case, you will have to spend additional funds on modifications and relaunch of the product. On the other hand, if you launch a product too late, the market will be overcrowded with competitors and the product will become obsolete faster than it is worth the investment.
If you release a new phone model a month after the previous one, most consumers will not be ready to buy it yet. If you are late with the release, all lovers of novelty will already buy a similar model from competitors.
There are additional factors to consider when choosing a time to launch. For some types of products, the right season is important, such as winter boots or scuba diving equipment.
Coordinated team actions
During the launch period, it is important to clearly distribute responsibilities between team members, otherwise any of the items in the launch plan will not be completed. Also, set clear deadlines and stick to them. Inconsistency in actions will lead to additional costs and reduced sales.
If advertising is launched too early, people will want to buy the product, but will not be able to find it because it has not yet gone on sale. On the other hand, if a product hits stores too early, it will gather dust on the shelves until marketers convey information about the product to potential consumers.
Properly targeted advertising
Advertising should be targeted at the target audience and emphasize the advantage of the product over competitors. To achieve this, consider pre-launch market research.
There's no point in spending huge sums of money advertising baby food during a horror movie if your potential customers, young mothers, aren't watching it.
Choose those methods of conveying information that best suit the product and the potential consumer. During the launch period, advertising should be powerful, intense and attention-grabbing. Successful advertising will inform the target audience about the new product, arouse interest and, ultimately, lead to the purchase of the product.
Launch Control in production vehicles
Since Launch Control was originally intended for installation on sports cars, this system was also installed on powerful, sports-style cars with a manual transmission for a long time on mass-produced cars.
An automatic transmission was not suitable for this, since a powerful load during a jerky start could damage it.
With the advent of robotic, mechanical DSG gearboxes, with two clutch clutches, which made it possible to automate gear shifting using electronic units, the situation with the installation of sports starts on engines has changed. Many Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Tiguan models are equipped with such a box, but Launch Control is installed only on turbocharged engines.
Models M from BMW, Porsche 911, Porsche Panamera Turbo, made in Germany, are also equipped with sports start systems.
Japanese manufacturers also have cars with Launch Control. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR with a robotic gearbox and the Nissan GT-R are equipped with such systems.
Unlike sports cars, the driver of a production car does not have the right to choose the optimal speed for starting - this will be done automatically; all he has to do is press the gas to the floor and release the brake. But for this you will have to remember the skills of driving a car with a manual transmission, because you will need to hold the brake pedal with your left foot and press the accelerator with your right foot.
Before starting, be sure to turn off the stability control system, otherwise the car may skid.
There are not many opportunities for using the Launch Control system in everyday life, but when preparing and conducting amateur competitions in auto racing and “drag wrestling” on production cars, it will be very useful.
Tips for launching a mobile game: Part 1, Soft launch
In mobile games, a soft launch is often crucial - especially now, when app stores are oversaturated and you have to invest a lot of money to attract users.
Using a soft launch, you can understand how well the game will be received by users in the event of a global launch, and roughly estimate the costs of its marketing. However, a soft launch can be a time-consuming process - it is not always obvious what to do and what to avoid.
In 2022 alone, we at Nexon held a soft launch of about a dozen games. Through trial and error, we figured out what worked best for our games. Here are some of our best practices.
What is soft launch?
Soft launch occurs before the official launch of the game worldwide. Developers release the game in select regions similar to their target market in order to ensure a successful global launch. You can regard this as training or testing.
Checklist for soft launch
Define the main tasks
It is important to understand that soft launch is primarily a learning process. During this time, you prioritize speed and pure data over ROI, which you can focus on later during the global launch. Your main goal is to collect fast and clean data to make better business decisions later. This data will help you determine your betting strategy and map out your game's LTV curve.
How to start from a standstill with a slipping automatic?
You can hold the brake (give it a rev while pressing the brake) - this is not harmful, you can even brake and gas to the floor and then suddenly release the brake - and there will be slipping
, the car will start at about 2500rpm.
Interesting materials:
How many mistakes can you make in theory? How long can you walk in the cold? How long can you walk with a tampon after swimming? How long can a banana be stored? How long can baby meat puree be stored? How long can baby vegetable puree be stored in the refrigerator? How long can Fenistil be stored after opening? How long can you store ready-made cakes for Napoleon? How long can persimmons be stored in the refrigerator? How long can canned compotes be stored?
Where to test
One of the most delicate questions is where to set up a “landfill” for the product. More specifically, in which countries to carry out the “soft launch”. General rule: test where you are going to advance in principle. It, however, has a lot of exceptions. It is not recommended to conduct tests in your key market if it is relatively small, which means there is a risk of narrowing your future room for maneuver.
Option two: if you are not worried about the fate of the app in a certain country, try it out there. Let's say the app targets a number of Asian countries, including populous China and luscious South Korea. In many cases, Thailand will serve as a testing ground for it: you won’t earn a lot of money there, but the installation is cheap and the mobile audience is quite large. Perhaps even an aggressive advertising campaign will be appropriate, and the application will be able to rise to the local top.
The largest publishers do not shy away from local soft launches either. Thus, Supercell tested Boom Beach in Canada, and Zynga first monitored the results of New Words with Friends in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada. Moreover, such players often spend more time on targeted combat tests than indie studios.
Is your product designed for the entire civilized world, the battlefield being Earth? Try to shoot first in separate clearings in different lands. Conduct trials in several countries. One of the Russian developers we interviewed, who tested the “global” app in the summer of 2014, covered the following areas in tests:
- UK (audience behavior close to that observed in the US, the most coveted market);
- Thailand (gives a snapshot of prospects in Southeast Asia);
- Russian Federation (home market);
- Kazakhstan (the patrimony of the Russian-speaking, but less solvent audience);
- Italy (average European country).
The data will vary greatly from region to region, and if you take the time to find out exactly what it is, you will subsequently save a lot of man-hours and thousands of dollars.
The quantitative characteristics of a soft launch depend on the complexity of the application and the potential capacity of the market to which it is launched. As a rule, the process takes from two to three weeks, if the app is simple, to two to three months (for large companies, as we have already noted, it can be significantly longer) and rarely requires more than 10-25 thousand installations.
Warned about the danger of “burning out” the market, developers sometimes gain an audience during a “soft launch” with caution: what if it gets trampled by leaps and bounds and all the errors that have crept into the app become known to the general public? However, in most cases there is no cause for concern. If you don’t buy installations in the thousands per day, it’s unlikely that in a week the application’s traffic will explode and soar to terrible heights.
The point at which uncontrolled, truly viral growth is possible lies at a height measured in tens of thousands of installations. This does not negate the need to be aware of the depth of the market and the approximate number of potential users of the product. Otherwise, any analytics magically turns into fortune-telling.
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