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First Derivatives' Kx technology selected by Red Bull Racing for sensor analytics

Red Bull racing has chosen Newry-built technology to analyse its F1 cars
Red Bull racing has chosen Newry-built technology to analyse its F1 cars Red Bull racing has chosen Newry-built technology to analyse its F1 cars

NEWRY-built technology is to be utilised from next season to help Red Bull Racing hunt down F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Software developer First Derivatives has been selected by Red Bull as a team supplier for the use of its Kx technology to analyse sensor data from its Formula 1 vehicles.

Initially Kx will be deployed for the analysis of wind tunnel data, a critical element in the development of faster, more competitive F1 cars.

It is intended that Red Bull Racing will use Kx for a range of purposes including wind tunnel experiments and the analysis of in-race data to enable real-time decisions during Grands Prix.

With more than 100 sensors on a typical F1 car, Kx technology is able to capture, integrate and analyse vast quantities of data to provide real-time actionable insights.

These insights and subsequent team and driver action have the potential to make the difference to race results and safety, on cars travelling at up to 300 kilometres per hour.

Sensor data analysis is the critical driver in connected and self-driving cars - a market estimated to be worth $80 billion (more than £60bn) a year by 2020.

Brian Conlon, chief executive of Kx, said: “We are delighted to work with Red Bull Racing. Both companies are associated with power, speed, precision engineering and innovation.

"Over the years F1 has proven itself as an ideal testing ground for disruptive technologies and we look forward to bringing the power of Kx to bear in high-value complementary markets.”