Racing Data at the Speed of Indy

IoT Technology Enabling Racing Decisions in Real-Time

All of Central Indiana is a buzz with excitement over the 100^th Running of the Indianapolis 500, including our very own FlexDogs! Yes, even they get totally “geeked out” over racing.

Flexware Innovation, Inc. is proud to have our very own racing rock star on staff – Automation Engineer Jace Sanders, who spent seven years in the racing industry fueling strategic decisions thanks to accurate real-time data from sensors.

The energy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on race day is electric, but most don’t stop to ponder the Internet of Things (IoT) technology that is indeed a propellant behind the roar of those magnificent Indy Cars. Well, unless you’re a FlexDog engineer. They get pretty juiced up about it.

Let’s ponder for a moment. During the three hour “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” data is being collected at 1000 times a second and enabling real-time analytics and monitoring for teams and the Indy Car series as a whole. Each car has 50-75 different sensors constantly relaying data across the network to servers and various subscribers, so they can make strategic decisions in the fast lane. Think performance, speed adjustments, tire pressure and fuel efficiency.

The Indy 500 Basics

200 laps
500 miles
20-30 minutes between pit stops
- Decision making & analytics is happening during this time
6 pit stops at approximately 7 seconds each
- Corrections are being made based on the data which was collected
Average car speed this year is between 222 – 230 mph

Over the last 100 years, racing has evolved at warp speed to a sport that is highly driven by real-time analytics. Strategies can be adjusted in the moment, which most often is critical in winning the race. So what sorts of data is most important to teams?

Real-Time Racing Data Fueling Decisions

Fuel Efficiency
- Level
- Consumption
Speed
G-Forces – Accelerometers
Wheel Load Cell
Aerodynamic Balance
- If off, it could easily effect handling/downforce
Driver Inputs
- Steering Angle
- Throttle
- Brake

Did you know most drivers are going the fastest when low on fuel, and most are near empty when they hit pit lane? With conditions like that, precise means everything and that equals expert IoT engineers in racing, fueling split-second decisions that make or break races for drivers and teams.

So as you’re watching the Indy Cars zoom past that historic oval this Sunday, give a nod to the engineers constantly monitoring all that real-time data in order to power all that racing excitement. They’ll be proud you embraced your inner racing nerd.