Avanade, an IT consulting company, is helping Williams Martini Racing harness IoT by using biometric data to analyze every aspect of pit stop performance and maintain an edge over rivals.
Avanade worked with Williams during the 2016 Formula 1 season to capture and evaluate a range of biometric data include heart rate, breathing rate, temperature and peak acceleration for members of the pit crew. The company says it does so to help harness the power of digital to drive changes in human performance. Real-time data from individual team members is captured and uploaded to a database powered by Microsoft Azure. Multiple data sets are then processed using Microsoft Power BI data visualization and displayed through Avanade’s biometrics analytics dashboard.
The team’s human performance specialist will use the dashboard to assess the information gathered throughout the season to gain a better understanding of the areas that need improvement to achieve faster pit stops. For example, analysis of data from the bio-harnesses can provide insight into the physiology behind ‘the perfect pit stop’. Further analysis will look to discover if information from the biometric data can inform specific aspects of the individual’s fitness training objectives.
Initial findings are suggestive of influential factors on performance such as working in a particular heart rate zone to reduce cardiovascular recovery times, stress and caffeine intake. Targeted training and other actions to improve performance will then be taken ahead of the 2017 F1 season.
The team says its work with Avanade should help them remain the pit stop pacesetter in 2017, helping its drivers Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll gain precious time that could improve their track position and give them a greater range of strategy options.
“Working with Avanade will enable us to continue to push the boundaries of pit stop potential and will help us use additional data streams to ensure we stay a step ahead of our rivals,” said Gemma Fisher, human performance specialist for Williams Martini Racing.
“We are excited that by using Microsoft technology to capture and analyze biometric data, Williams Martini Racing will be able to further optimize its pit stops in 2017,” said Chris Miller, global CTIO at Avanade. “By gaining a deep understanding of the complex elements involved in an F1 pit stop, the team will be able to boost individual performance to achieve an important competitive milestone.”
The biometrics work with Williams is an example of how Avanade is helping businesses develop a connected internet of things (IoT) ecosystem to maximize business value by combining IoT operational technologies with business information.
“Time is truly of the essence when it comes to pit stops in F1. It is great to see a company like Williams Martini Racing embrace technology from Microsoft to capture and analyze biometric data, to enhance their pit stop performance in the 2017 season and maintain a competitive edge,” said Chris Miller, Global CTIO, Avanade.
Avanade has been working with Williams Martini Racing since January 2015, helping the organization with its ‘digital transformation’ efforts. Williams is making investments to create a digital workplace at its factory in Grove, Oxfordshire and at each circuit it visits during the racing season. Avanade also constructed the team’s new website ahead of the 2016 season and developed a tire optimization tool for analyzing car performance.
