NTT is enhancing the use of racing data to enrich fan experiences at the NTT IndyCar Series, especially during this year’s Indianapolis 500. As the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend, NTT and its subsidiary NTT Data leverage advanced technology to transform racing engagement.
By employing over 140 sensors on each racecar, NTT Data captures and analyzes over eight billion data points via the NTT Smart Solutions Platform. Utilizing cutting-edge AI and predictive analytics, the company delivers near-real-time insights and visualizations to fans both onsite and remotely. This includes exciting features like head-to-head overtaking analyses, race strategy breakdowns, and predictions of race winners. On race day, the 300,000-plus fans at the venue benefit from real-time updates on wait times and crowd flow across the sprawling 600-acre facility, refreshed every 30 seconds.
Alex Palou is set to lead the start of the 107th Indianapolis 500.
“NTT Data has redefined the intersection of technology and motorsports, unlocking vast data potential in innovative ways,” stated Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corp., the parent company of IndyCar and IMS. “Their NTT Smart Venue technology has significantly enhanced operations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, boosting safety, security, and efficiency for our 300,000 fans, while also providing real-time data feeds for race control and the IndyCar App powered by NTT Data.”
Eric Clark, CEO of NTT Data North America, remarked, “Few sectors generate as much real-time data as NTT IndyCar Series racing teams and venues. Our partnership with IndyCar allows us to test and refine our solutions in high-pressure environments, driving innovations that benefit our clients in operational efficiency, sustainability, AI application, and customer experience.”
At the Indianapolis 500 and other IMS events, fans can experience NTT Data’s Smart Venue technology, which incorporates sustainability solutions and live race data displayed on Pagoda command screens. AI-powered optical detection enhances security and optimizes traffic flow, while digital ticketing offers real-time wait times at the event gates and concessions, ensuring a safe and efficient experience for attendees of the world’s largest single-day sporting event.
Whether at the track, home, or on the move, fans can stay connected with the IndyCar App powered by NTT Data. The app delivers real-time updates, AI-driven insights, live scoring, and access to 15 in-car cameras, bringing fans even closer to the action. Historically, more than 70,000 users engage with the app on race days, available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play.
This year, a new limited racing demonstration will showcase NTT’s Embodied Knowledge technology, which merges physical sensations with digital experiences. This innovative system allows users to authentically experience the track as if they were professional drivers, simulating the dynamics of high-speed racing at Indianapolis. By synchronizing user movements with those of a professional driver through Extended Reality (XR), participants can feel accurate steering forces and the vibrations associated with racing.
NTT is exploring Embodied Knowledge technology for various applications, including medical training, coaching, and enhanced fan interactions in sports. Future possibilities encompass employee training across sectors like retail, education, and manufacturing, as well as developing AI-robots capable of mimicking human tasks. This initiative is part of NTT's annual investment of over $3.6 billion in research and development, aimed at discovering innovations that deliver real-world benefits for its customers.
“The Indianapolis 500 represents the apex of racing where the essence of Embodied Knowledge comes to life, allowing us to recreate the sensations and movements of racers,” said Kota Hidaka, head of NTT Human Informatics Laboratories.
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