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DTM, Schaeffler and RIEDEL Show the Future of Motor Racing

Picture of Timo Imbrogno Timo Imbrogno : Sep 30, 2021 9:00:00 AM

Press release

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DTM, Schaeffler and RIEDEL Show the Future of Motor Racing

The Partners Set New Standards for Innovation and Sustainability With a Remote-Controlled, All-Electric Racing Car

Wuppertal, 30 September 2021 - When the remarkable, 1200-horsepower, fully electric DTM Electric Demo Car took to the 4,326-meter-long Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, earlier this month, Riedel Communications’ networking and communications technology enabled DTM Trophy champion Tim Heinemann to drive the car remotely using a state-of-the-art simulator 82 kilometers away. The race car completed a breathtaking driverless lap at speeds of up to 180 kph during the cutting-edge demonstration, the “DTM Electric Remote Run” presented by DTM and Schaeffler, prior to the Sunday race at the Red Bull Ring.

Riedel technology connected Heinemann and the simulator at the AVL Racing facility in Graz with the racetrack and supported wireless connections between the pit lane and the race car. Operating close to the speed of light, the fully redundant Riedel IP Mesh system carried video, communications, and the remote car control signals with the highest possible reliability.

“Latency was the biggest challenge we faced in making this demo work, followed by network stability — ensuring all signals were received, all the time,” said Michael Resl, Director of Competition and Technology at DTM. “As experts in networking and communications solutions and the mission-critical transmission of audio, video, and data signals — both wired and wireless — Riedel was cut out for the job.”

The car was controlled using Schaeffler’s drive-by-wire solutions, the well-known “Space Drive” technology among them, eliminating the need for a physical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This technology opened the door for a pioneering demonstration of a remotely controlled race car. The Riedel IP Mesh system supported ultra-reliable, low-latency transport of data, and the company’s Bolero wireless intercom system and SmartPanels facilitated flexible, high-fidelity communications for teams working at the simulator site and at the racetrack.

“Reducing latency enough to remotely control a race car moving at 180 kph required the most cutting-edge wireless technologies and expertise. At this speed, 20 milliseconds of latency in the connection translates to a meter traveled,” added Matthias Zink, CEO Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler. “Large, well-known telecommunications companies were not up for the challenge, but Riedel stepped in and made it possible. This groundbreaking remote run is sure to provide new impetus for the future of racing, in terms of both e-mobility and remote and autonomous driving.”

“When it comes to pioneering technology, testing boundaries, and entering unknown territory, we are there,” said Lutz Rathmann, Director of the Managed Technology Division at Riedel Communications. “We live to push the boundaries of the possible and to enable our customers to achieve their creative visions. That’s why we are delighted to be part of this exciting project, which absolutely depends on the data, audio, and video streams being as reliable and fast as physically possible.”

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About Riedel Communications

Riedel Communications is a leading provider of live production tools in the worlds of media, sports, and entertainment. The company’s hard- and software solutions span from distributed video and audio networks over intercom and replay solutions to WAN and MPLS applications. Thanks to Riedel’s holistic approach, its three business units — Product Division, Managed Technology Division and Networks Division — can leverage powerful synergies to provide flexible infrastructures, tools, and services for both fixed and temporary installations around the globe, enabling Riedel customers to run even the most complex projects on-site, remotely, or in the cloud. Riedel is headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany, and employs over 1,000 people in 30 locations throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas.

About RIEDEL Networks

RIEDEL Networks is a privately held, global network provider focused on tailormade networks. We are listed in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global, as a niche provider specializing in mid-market international enterprises and the media and events sector. With our own global backbone, we help companies be connected worldwide. Our services include internet connectivity, MPLS, SD-WAN, SASE, Cloud Connect and much more. Our customers come from a variety of industries and value quality, security and reliability. RIEDEL Networks is a 100% company of the RIEDEL Communications Group in Wuppertal, Germany, and is fully privately owned by Thomas Riedel.