North Essex: IT company develops live footage from racing cars to exec boxes (From Gazette)
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North Essex: IT company develops live footage from racing cars to exec boxes
3:50pm Tuesday 14th October 2008 in Search By Vanessa Moon
A WHITE Colne IT company has become one of a select few in the UK to develop a wireless technology that transfers live footage from a racing car to the screen.
APC Solutions, in Tyburn Hill, Colchester Road, was commissioned to develop the technology for Milton Keynes racing team, Thorney Motorsport.
It tested the camera – which transmits live images from a vehicle in a race to monitors in pit lanes, executive suites and streamed live on to the internet – at Silverstone during the gruelling Britcar 24-hour Race.
Managing director, David Bell, said: “This was the first test of its type in the UK, and used a new wireless system. In an endurance race such as this, systems need to be robust if they are to give us the results we are looking for. We were delighted with the tests which gave 90 per cent ‘perfect’ coverage of the circuit, with the remaining ten per cent classed as acceptable.
“We’ll be carrying out a more comprehensive pilot of this technology in the near future, but this is a real breakthrough and a marked improvement on previous systems.”
Large television broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Sky would have their own in-house versions of the camera, said company director Chris Lynch.
Mr Lynch said: “This successful test first shows we can do it and gives us the footing to develop it further and move onto bigger and better things. We can also put ourselves out there in the marketplace.”
Mr Lynch said the technology, which took eight months to develop, could potentially generate millions of pounds in sales a few years down the line, and said it would be a bonus for motorsport sponsors as the live feed would reach a wider audience.
APC Solutions is no stranger to developing wireless technology. Its clients in the sector include Proctor and Gamble, the Highways Agency and leading motor dealerships.
