Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming motorsports, enhancing performance and strategic decisions. General Motors (GM) has integrated these technologies into its NASCAR, sportscar, and IndyCar racing teams to optimize their chances of winning.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
General Motors is embracing AI and ML not just as buzzwords, but as practical tools to support their racing teams. From tire wear predictions to real-time audio transcriptions, GM’s AI applications are diverse and impactful.
Real-Time, Data, and Image Analysis
At GM’s Charlotte Technical Center, teams receive streams of data from cars, including telemetry, radio communications, and trackside images. AI tools help make sense of this data quickly enough for it to be actionable during races. For example, GM developed a real-time audio transcription tool that listens to radio chatter and flags important updates, freeing up human analysts for more critical tasks.
GM’s AI tools can analyze images from trackside photographers within seconds. This rapid analysis allows teams to make immediate decisions, such as whether a car needs to pit due to damage. During a NASCAR race, this capability helped a team avoid an unnecessary pit stop, which was crucial for their playoff qualification.
Enhancing Race Strategy and Insights
AI and ML are integrated into GM’s race strategy tools. By analyzing lap times, fuel efficiency, and tire wear, the tools provide dynamic recommendations on the best times to pit. These recommendations are constantly updated based on real-time data and models trained during the race.
AI tools are also used to analyze competitors’ cars. Engineers can glean insights about car setups, such as ride heights and wing angles, from photos. This helps teams adjust their strategies and improve their own car designs.
TF Summary: What’s Next
AI and ML are revolutionizing motorsports by providing teams with critical insights and enabling faster, data-driven decisions. As these technologies evolve, they will likely become even more integral to racing strategies, offering new ways to enhance performance and outpace competitors. General Motors’ use of AI and ML shows the potential of these technologies to transform motorsports.