Overview
The challenge was to design a Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) solution toenhance the efficiency of F1 engineering operations by enabling the team in the garage and the team at the Race Support Room in Brackley to work better as an integrated virtual unit.
The solution aims to build a seamless communication between track site and off track site Formula 1 teams, to facilitate better decision making and accurate predictions for best race performance.
Context
Seamless communication and engagement between the remote and trackside engineering teams are extremely critical to extract the maximum benefit from the Race Support Operation.
Currently, the race teams operate multiple daily meetings via audio communications, supported by two-way video feeds between the pit garage and the factory. The two-way camera feeds allow people on each side to view each other’s environment remotely. The team discusses strategy, reviews component changes and resolves problems that occur at the track.
Design Process
01 Design research
I started by understanding the F1 racing and strategy, the stakeholders, communication and tracking systems, data tracked and communicated.
Race crew and working zones
Ecosystem Mapping
Real time data monitoring during mocks, installation and race.
Key tasks
Technology used
The technologies used to communicate information across all the teams in race control room, trackside engineering office, garage and race track.
Key issues
Insights
- There is a need for streamlining the communication process in a race team.
- Voice communications leave a room for error and interpretation delay, radio communications cannot enable multitasking and lack of access to real time data stream can affect the engineers working on the car.
02 Experience design
02.1 Defining user-types through personas
To understand the users and the challenges they face, I outlined two personas from the race crew based on their locations ( on track site and off track site).
02.2 Design considerations
- What if the person checking an error message could have that image overlaid on the exact location of the error on his visor?
- What if the factory team could perceive the performance parameters through the delivered data stream without losing focus on the visuals?
- What if the mechanics at the pit garage can get a demonstration while fixing the issues or doing installation?
03 Concept design
Proposed solution
