A Matter of Transmission
T-Systems develops and BMW Sauber F1 tests – this is the basic principle for the partnership of the two leading innovators in motor racing since the start of this season.
From Australia in March to Brazil in November – the Formula 1 cavalcade is set to tour the world again in 2008. The skills of Nick Heidfeld, Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton or other stars will be just as important in deciding victory or defeat as the team’s technical equipment. IT and communication technology (ICT) will play a vital role. Each race weekend, for instance, the BMW Sauber F1 Team collects about 30 GB of data which have to be transferred in real time to the team’s other sites. Aiming to gain a head start, T-Systems and the BMW Sauber F1 Team agreed on a technology partnership. According to this arrangement, the Deutsche Telekom subsidiary will work with the team to produce more innovative ICT solutions, which will then be put into action under the extreme conditions of motor racing.
From the race track to the open road
„The latest IT and telecommunications technology is indispensable in the racing world. In this case, two leading innovators – T-Systems and BMW – have come together to develop tailor-made solutions for our team“, states BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen. The new partner boasts expertise in IT and telecommunications, as well as a wealth of experience in the automotive sector. „That’s why T-Systems is our ideal partner for future technology that can also provide important impetus for mass production“, Mr. Theissen continued.
The new cooperative arrangement is another step in the long-standing partnership between BMW and T-Systems. For example, the ICT service provider has cooperated in the development of solutions such as BMW TeleServices, in which the vehicle’s service data can be transmitted while the car is on the move. BMW Connected Drive also sees the car manufacturer making use of the TMCpro traffic information service from T-Systems as a standard feature in its vehicles. „The expansion of our cooperation with BMW is an important milestone in terms of our goal of becoming the number one in the world for the automotive industry“, says Reinhard Clemens, Member of the Board of Management responsible for business customers at Deutsche Telekom and CEO at T-Systems.
The new cooperative arrangement is another step in the long-standing partnership between BMW and T-Systems. For example, the ICT service provider has cooperated in the development of solutions such as BMW TeleServices, in which the vehicle’s service data can be transmitted while the car is on the move. BMW Connected Drive also sees the car manufacturer making use of the TMCpro traffic information service from T-Systems as a standard feature in its vehicles. „The expansion of our cooperation with BMW is an important milestone in terms of our goal of becoming the number one in the world for the automotive industry“, says Reinhard Clemens, Member of the Board of Management responsible for business customers at Deutsche Telekom and CEO at T-Systems.
Radio chips give a clear overview
The ICT service provider has already created a high-performance data line for the team, linking it to the sites in Munich and Hinwil, Switzerland. This network enables large volumes of data relating to the development, testing and racing performance of the Formula 1 cars to be exchanged securely and quickly. At present, there are plans for a parts logistics solution on the basis of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. The solution enables all vehicle and replacement parts that travel with the Formula 1 team around the world to be identified and located. Further joint research and development projects are now being planned – for instance, on issues of data security.
You can read the entire article on the Formula 1 cooperation in the print edition of Best Practice.
