The track and cars were Scalextric Digital.System, which allows things such as lane changing, pit stops, and track calls, as well as having a digital lap counter/timer. To demonstrate their Internet of Things portal and capabilities, Infor used the Scalextric Sport Digital Console (SSDC) software that took a serial feed from the track. The software displays information such as current and fastest lap as well as race position and number of laps completed by each driver.
The really interesting part is where Infor comes in. They placed a small battery powered circuit board with sensors on it in each car. The sensors included things like a thermometer and accelerometer to tell what the temperature inside the car was, how fast it accelerated, and even how often it crashed and landed upside down.
The sensor information gathered from the device was transmitted via bluetooth to a micro computer such as this Intel Edison device where it was analyzed and converted to a visual graph format. From there, the output was streamed live over the internet.
At the same time, Infor employees at the track would use a tablet to scan the QR code on the badges of anyone wanting to race to get their name in the system. They could also take a photo of the driver’s face with the tablet and link them together. This information also went through the Infor IoT portal and was syncronized with inputs from the SSDC software and the data from the track. Adding to this was the live feed from the video cameras, all perfectly coordinated to give a real race experience showing racers information, car data, and race data. It was all displayed on a huge screen set up by the Hook and Loop Digital division of Infor.
For pictures and video of the track in action, check out our next blog post!