DIGITAL VISION TECHNOLOGY SIGNALS ON-TRACK SUCCESS FOR PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING

18 June 2020

Panasonic Jaguar Racing is applying digital vision technology developed using insights derived from the brand’s Traffic Sign Recognition systems to boost racing success with the Jaguar I-TYPE 4

  • From road to racetrack: Digital Vision technology developed using learning from Jaguar’s Traffic Sign Recognition systems is boosting Panasonic Jaguar Racing on the track in the ABB FIA Formula E championship
  • All-seeing eye enhances energy management: Calculates optimum energy strategy for the Jaguar I-TYPE racecar from battery state-of-charge data shown to race viewers
  • Boosts competitive edge: Cloud-based model can also predict energy strategies of the other teams on the grid, further helping Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s drivers to anticipate the ideal moment to brake, accelerate and overtake
  • Available to order now: All new Jaguar models are available with Traffic Sign Recognition. Find out more and build your perfect Jaguar at www.jaguar.com
INFOGRAPHIC - DIGITAL VISION TECHNOLOGY SIGNALS ON-TRACK SUCCESS FOR PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING

In road car applications, such as the Jaguar I-PACE all-electric performance SUV, the Traffic Sign Recognition system (TSR) uses an advanced stereo camera and image processing software to detect and read road signs, informing drivers of speed limits, temporary speed limits, and no-overtaking restrictions.

This information is also used by the Adaptive Speed Limiter system, helping drivers stay within the permissible speed by automatically slowing the vehicle down, if necessary, when entering areas with a lower limit.

Engineers at Panasonic Jaguar Racing are applying similar principles for a very different purpose: to monitor the battery status of the I-TYPE and competitors’ race cars – automatically and in real time – and use this data to determine the optimum energy strategies for drivers Mitch Evans and James Calado.

Racing usually improves the breed, but here’s an example of a road car technology being used to aid success on the track. Traffic Sign Recognition helps customers stay within the speed limit but we’ve taken learnings from that system to help us understand when to push and when we can afford to ease off – optimising energy management throughout a race.

James Barclay
Team Director, Panasonic Jaguar Racing

Adopting digital vision systems with image recognition as the enabler for the new energy strategy modelling process delivered a step-change in speed, accuracy and flexibility compared to the tools used previously, and is future-proofed to make even more detailed analyses possible in seasons to come.

The technology transfer is one example of advances in Jaguar’s road cars being used to support success on the track. This advantage is complemented by the on-going application of knowledge gained from the extremes of racing to improve vehicles such as the all-electric I-PACE.

One of the most significant benefits to date – underpinned by invaluable learning gained from the I-PACE eTROPHY race series and Formula E – was a software update to the
I-PACE introduced in December 2019 which gave customers worldwide up to 20km more real-world range from a full charge. This was delivered though further optimisation of battery management, thermal systems, regenerative braking and all-wheel drive torque distribution.

The on-going collaborative partnership between engineers in Jaguar Racing and those working on core Jaguar vehicle programmes ensures that knowledge, processes and technologies continue to pass from road to track and vice-versa. This is helping to deliver greater performance and efficiency in further development of the I-TYPE and Jaguar’s future electrified vehicles including the next-generation all-electric XJ.

To find out more about Jaguar cars, visit: www.jaguar.com

Further information

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- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Jaguar

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/Jaguar; @Jaguar

- Instagram: http://instagram.com/Jaguar

- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/JaguarCars

Notes to Editors

About Jaguar

Jaguar’s heritage of elegant design and breathtaking performance has excited and delighted the world for over 80 years. Today’s world-class Jaguar family comprises the award-winning XE, XF and XJ saloons, the dramatic F-TYPE sports car, the F-PACE performance SUV – the fastest-selling Jaguar ever – the E-PACE compact performance SUV and I-PACE, the all-electric performance SUV and 2019 World Car of the Year that puts Jaguar at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution.