Can IoT technology improve the Formula 1 racing experience?

Tata Communications, the official connectivity provider to Formula 1 racing, is challenging the Internet of Things (IoT) community to improve trackside experience for fans. It’s second challenge of this year’s F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize.

A collaboration of Tata Communications, Formula One Management and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, the IoT-themed challenge is asking the Formula 1 (F1) and tech communities to submit ideas of services that could enhance the trackside experience for fans at each Grand Prix. Entrants are asked to use IoT, mobile, and embedded connectivity in their proposals.

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“As Formula 1 explores opportunities to transform the sport through digital technologies, we look forward to seeing how the trackside experience could be made more captivating for F1 fans through cutting-edge IoT-enabled mobile apps and real-time data analytics,” said Julie Woods-Moss, Tata Communications’ president and chief innovation and marketing officer.

IoT off to the races

“We want to see how through IoT solutions we could enhance the F1 racing experience for the millions of fans who attend the Grands Prix all over the world – from before they even arrive at the track till the end of the race weekend,” added John Morrison, chief technical officer of Formula One.”

Morrison suggested ideas such as tracking fan emotions to create aggregate emotion charts on large displays at the circuit to creating a more interactive and immersive experience, a mobile app connected to on track sensors, and ways for fans to interact more seamlessly with each other.

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The grand prize winner will be awarded $50,000. Three teams from each of the two challenges will be chosen and awarded a trip to 2017 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the jury will announce the Grand Prize winner. Additionally, one person from each winning team will be given the opportunity to work with the F1 technical team at a Grand Prix race of their choosing.

You can download a full brief for the second challenge from the F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize website. The deadline for entering the challenge is August 2, 2017. You can also interact with other like-minded Formula 1 an IoT on Twitter by following the hashtag #tatacommsf1prize.