The FIA wants to integrate AI to limit errors on track limits

The track limits are the subject of debates almost every weekend. Pilots are used to frequently reporting potential infractions by their opponents. After several instances of exceeding these limits during a race, the race commissioners can then penalize the pilots. In order to improve the arbitration and reduce errors, the FIA has launched the ROC for the 2022 season, replacing the Virtual Control of the Race.

Steps for activation

The ROC was created three weeks before the Bahrain Grand Prix. For its first use, this remote monitoring system, based in Geneva, witnessed Charles Leclerc’s triumph. Tim Malyon, the research manager, explained in the final review before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. « We went through several phases. The first one was to establish the correct technology and architecture. Races 1 to 4 were an observation phase. Races 5 to 8 aimed to implement higher levels of technology to actively support the race control, enhance communication lines between the track and the ROC, as well as deploy new equipment to provide the ROC with the same tools as race control. Probably, the last third of 2023 contributed more to identifying issues and monitoring the enforcement of regulations during sessions. »

For 2023, the system has been further automated to be able to pause the video, press a button, verify that the data is correct, and press send to add the incident to the race control systems, said Chris Bentley, Head of Single Seater Information Systems Strategy at the FIA.

Quick improvements

The track limits are always heavily criticized, whether it’s by drivers or motorsport enthusiasts, as the situations are not always clear. Faced with these misunderstandings, the FIA is constantly trying to bring new innovations and modernity with the ROC (Race of Champions).

Tim Malyon explains: « Track limits really came into play during the Austrian Grand Prix, where several drivers were penalized after the race. There were approximately 1200 potential infractions to examine. Since then, we have significantly changed our approach. For example, at the Qatar Grand Prix, we had eight people working on track limits instead of the four we had in Austria. They monitored 820 corner exits, which were then reduced to 141 reports sent to race control. Due to the Austria incident and software improvements, we can now process these checks and turn them into 150 reports. Now, we just need to go through a list of reports and determine if there is a violation or not. »

After the Austrian Grand Prix, the FIA also revised its approaches and assessments of potential infractions. Chris Bentley, who is also the IT manager for the FIA, stated: “We have now disabled the loops for all circuits, except if there is a chicane, as it simply hinders what we are trying to achieve. Ultimately, the basic rule is that if it’s too close to call, then the benefit of the doubt goes to the driver.”

Other progress planned

The ROC is only finishing its second season. With the technological advancements in F1 and image production, the FIA intends to continue perfecting its arbitration system. Tim Malyon, head of FIA research, states: “What we are trying to do for the future is to enhance all this technology and deploy new solutions. The positioning of the cars is still being developed to improve accuracy. We also plan to double the size of the ROC in terms of personnel, going from four to eight next year, and we will double the connection bandwidth between the track and Geneva to facilitate the work of more remote individuals.”

Chris Bentley provided further details, specifying that the next step was clearly computer vision. This involves shape analysis, where we have a line that is the edge of the track and the software determines the number of pixels beyond that line, he added.

Artificial intelligence soon to be integrated

Among the technological advancements planned for the ROC, the FIA intends to develop artificial intelligence. The goals sought by the Federation are to reduce potential errors, accelerate decision-making, and avoid analyzing situations that do not require human interpretation. As a result, reports sent to the stewards will be reduced. These initial tests will take place in Abu Dhabi for the final race of the 2023 season, according to Tim Malyon.

Despite the project of robotization and automation of the surveillance system, the human aspect will not be neglected at the FIA. Chris Bentley wanted to reassure: “Communication is still key. It is a learning system, not only in terms of processes and procedures, but also with people and how they interact with these new systems and with race control. The most important thing is to expand the facilities and continue investing in software, as that is how we will make great progress.”

The next improvements will be implemented for the last race of the season. 2024 should mark the arrival of additional new technologies.