McLaren Applied and Blu Wireless target connectivity breakthroughs
To deliver ultra-high-speed telemetry solutions for motorsport applications, McLaren Applied has partnered with mmWave technology leader Blu Wireless. Through the collaboration, the companies are targeting breakthroughs in connectivity performance in the dynamic motorsport environment, providing a data pipe that can handle all data and video streams from a race car in real time.
The solution will combine Blu Wireless’s mmWave technology with McLaren Applied’s intelligent motorsport gateway on-car telemetry hardware, with McLaren Applied also providing systems architecture and integration.
As part of the solution, McLaren Applied’s patented software ensures stable connectivity for vehicles and transportation moving at high speed, the company says. It works by aggregating data across multiple networks and enables the application of mmWave technology for multi-gigabit connectivity across all race car platforms.
The technology has been successfully tested over the last 12 months across multiple tests in the UK and North America, including demonstrating multiple HD video links on race cars traveling at speeds above 165mph. Run by McLaren Applied and Blu Wireless, the tests prove the technology’s capability, the companies state. McLaren Applied’s design and systems engineering team are currently preparing the system for imminent deployment in racing.
Mark Halliday, head of product and programs for connected intelligence, said, “The new collaboration with Blu Wireless is aimed at bringing a step change in connectivity in the harshest of race environments by offering new levels of speed and stability to inform race-winning strategies.”
Mark Barrett, chief commercial officer at Blu Wireless, said, “The application we’ve developed with our partner McLaren Applied is a perfect fit for the types of environments and high speeds within which the race cars are performing. Our robust, gigabit connectivity and tailored system is certain to deliver real-time, almost life-like experience and will enhance the nail-biting excitement of motorsport for viewers.”
