The Formula One governing body is currently experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle track limit violations during the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as reported by ABU DHABI.
As per the announcement by the Paris-based FIA, they will utilize “Computer Vision” technology to measure the movement of pixels across the defined boundary, employing shape analysis techniques.
The AI system is designed to pinpoint instances of actual breaches, specifically when drivers exceed track limits by running all four wheels over the white line marking the track perimeter. This initiative aims to streamline the operations at the remote operations center (ROC) and expedite response times.
During the recent Hungarian Grand Prix on July 2, despite having only four officials managing a staggering 1,200 potential infractions, a new record was set for the sport.
At the decisive Qatar weekend in October, a team of eight individuals was tasked with overseeing track limits and monitoring 820 corner passages. This led to 141 reports being submitted to race control, resulting in the deletion of 51 laps.
Nevertheless, certain violations during the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin in October slipped under the radar.
In response to the shortcomings in monitoring track limit violations at turn six, stewards acknowledged their failure as “completely unsatisfactory” and emphasized the need for a resolution before the commencement of the next season.
Tim Malyon, the FIA’s deputy race director and head of isolated operations, highlighted the successful application of Computer Vision technology in various medical fields, such as analyzing data from cancer screenings. He emphasized the objective of utilizing this technology to filter out cases where cancer is absent, allowing experts to focus on the relevant 20%.
Malyon stressed that the integration of Computer Vision technology would reduce the volume of potential violations reviewed by the ROC, further streamlining the process for race control to take necessary actions.
He underscored the significance of expanding the capabilities of the center and investing in technological advancements to drive substantial improvements. Embracing innovation and continuous evolution are deemed essential for progress in this domain.
While acknowledging the current superiority of human judgment in certain aspects, Malyon expressed confidence that the implementation of real-time automated monitoring systems will eventually yield positive outcomes.
