Cisco’s intelligent networking technology was used to remotely control a full-size electric race car around the track at 200 km / h for the first time.
Held in partnership with DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), Schaeffler and Riedel Networks, the historic drive took place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on September 2, 2021. The DTM Electric Demo raced around the 4326-meter track without a driver in the seat . Instead, the race car was driven remotely by DTM Trophy champion Tim Heinemann from a simulator located 82 km away in Graz.
“Crucial to the success of the mileage was the speed and reliability of Cisco’s network technology, which allowed the transmission of signals carrying video, communications and remote control of the car at maximum speed of light with the highest possible reliability,” said Reem Asaad. Cisco Vice President of the Middle East and Africa.
Unlike small radio-controlled vehicle toys, this sophisticated full-size electric car was built by DTM technicians in collaboration with Schaeffer. Cisco provides the technology while Riedel Networks designs and builds the communications network.
The attempt to safely drive a full-size remotely connected and controlled race car around the track has never been tested before and it is therefore essential to have a responsive and secure connection.
The vehicle’s communication architecture has been specifically designed and implemented by Riedel Networks to be controlled by the Cisco Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) and the 8300 edge catalyst platform for primary direct fiber connection via MPLS -Protocol Label Switching).
The Cisco Catalyst 8300 end platforms feature a multi-core architecture and powerful hardware-accelerated encryption capabilities that create a secure, high-performance, and reliable connection. This technology was crucial to ensure reliable data transmission with carrier availability (99,999%), which was needed between the car and the remote control of the simulator.
The architecture is also designed with on-site backup as a precaution in the rare event that an MPLS connection is lost. The built-in 5G connection using Cisco catalytic cell gateways can be turned on to maintain the connection. Under these circumstances, 5G over SD-WAN will become the main data transport with multi-gigabit connectivity up to 3.3 Gbps.
The Riedel network maintains a remote control connection, while allowing video streams from the car to the driver and from the driver to the pitman on the track. In addition, the network provides internal communications.
The success of the remote-controlled car underscores the capabilities of Cisco’s SD-WAN technology. It has the flexibility to use any combination of transport services to securely connect users to data and applications anywhere with an optimized experience.
Cisco recently announced that it is committed to reaching net zero for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in all areas by 2040, 10 years before climate scientists say the planet must reach net zero to avoid the worst. consequences of climate change. Cisco’s net zero target will be supported by short-term targets, including reaching net zero for all global emissions in range 1 and range 2 by 2025.
Read: Cisco is committed to reducing zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.