NTT to leverage sensors on cars, digital twins to power Indy 500 insights

Sensors will play a key role in the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day Weekend, as technology and business solutions provider NTT is deploying 140 sensors on each of the 33 cars in competition that will collect an estimated 8 billion data points that can be leveraged in-race insights, strategies and predictions for fans and race broadcasters.

NTT partnered with Penske Entertainment to enable the “more immersive experience,” according to a statement released following the unveiling of the program at a live event last week. The length of the race–500 miles over 200 laps–means that it will yield more data than any other INDYCAR race. The data points collected by the sensors are fed into digital twins of each car to produce predictions based on historical performance and real-time conditions–information that previously was available only to race team engineers.

Some of the specific insights to be provided include race strategies and predictions; intercepts and battles for position; pit stop performance impact; and effects of fuel levels and tire wear, according to NTT.

“We’ve leveled up the interactive experience for fans with actual digital twins of each racecar and more predictive analytics, so INDYCAR fans can feel as close to the driver’s seat as possible,” said Eric Clark, Chief Digital Officer, NTT DATA Services, in the statement.

NTT also is leveraging data gathered during the first five INDYCAR events of the current season, as well as from prior seasons, NTT said.

The Indianapolis 500 program also will serve as a model for how other types of industrial clients might deploy NTT’s Smart Solutions, including sensors and digital twins, to create “Smart Venues” to improve the visitor experiences for attendees and employees alike. The technologies can be used to help manage traffic flow into and out of buildings and parks, among other uses.