Faced with pandemic-linked remote-working and supply chain challenges, racing teams have to resort to cutting-edge digitalization to remain relevant.

The world of MotoGP has had to adapt to digitalization just like the rest of the world.

For example, one racing team has partnered with an IT firm to leverage analytics, AI and smart collaboration to innovate amid supply chain and other pandemic challenges.

One target for the 2022 season is to complete the Remote Garage project, which allows engineers to receive data in real time and to interact with the garage and bikes while working remotely. The team is also committed to improving video conferencing both in the headquarters and in the garage. The aim is to better connect the virtual teams for successful collaboration, even from miles away.

According to Claudio Domenicali, CEO, Ducati, the team mentioned above: “To be competitive and achieve the best results, on and off the track, it is essential to have a clear idea of ​​the central role of digital innovation and to rely on the support of the best partners” to “accomplish important goals such as accelerating data collection and analysis, thus speeding up the decision-making process.”

Some examples of the firm’s DX investments:

  • using High Performance Computing servers to simplify and accelerate data analysis in aerodynamics, fluid dynamics and stress tests. The improved computing power provides critical data and information in a third of the computation time and runs almost twice as many simulations at the same time – making engineers’ work easier
  • using a portable edge server to boost connectivity and advanced real-time analytics, even in the most challenging environments—from the humidity of Malaysia (which could reach 90%) to the dry heat and sands of Qatar. Real-time data for each bike can offer customized insights for engineers to make fast, well-informed decisions. Finally, the security tools integrated in the system ensure automatic data encryption to protect intellectual property and prevent data leaks
  • Deploying a new virtual desktop infrastructure across the organization comprising over 250 2D and 3D virtual desktops for work-anywhere flexibility and for simplifying IT management and maintenance. The infrastructure also helps to improve data protection and business continuity, as well as to optimize resources and allow professionals to focus on higher value-added tasks. Furthermore, thanks to the possibility of working on the move, designers can collaborate remotely in real time with the development team and the test rider to make changes to the designs based on the feedback received, reducing production times.

Said Luca Rossi, President of Intelligent Devices Group, Lenovo the firm’s technology partner: “In line with our mission to enable intelligent transformation, we will continue to invest and innovate with Ducati to achieve increasingly ambitious goals in the fast-evolving industry of motorsports.”