If you're slightly into racing, you'll know that I'm talking about some of the top Formula One drivers of the moment. Actually racing with them in real life is next to impossible, but doing it virtually won't have to be if the Dutch company iOpener Media has it its way.
No, I'm not talking about an artificial intelligence (AI) called Lewis or Kimi. The technology that iOpener Media is developing will allow video games to retrieve precise live data from real-life races that can then be used in simulation games so that you can race "live" with your favourite drivers. This is done using high-tech positioning such as differential GPS (DGPS) and inertial measurement units (IMUs) on the cars that that place them with a precision of 30cm on the track.
The company will provide software to game developers that will allow better integration of the real-life data into the virtual world. Advanced AI will be needed for Hamilton to overtake you properly to reclaim his first place if he cannot see your car at all. And let's not forget crashes, which, the company says, will not really affect real drivers, but may not end that well for the player.
Although I have no idea how well all this real-life data will integrate into video games—after all, if I ever raced a real-life Raikkonen, I probably wouldn't be able to see him for long, not until he laps me, that is—I really do look forward to testing this. I can already imagine myself logging into Xbox Live and qualifying for a grid that goes: Hamilton, Diaz and 20 of my closest friends.
(Source: BBC News)
(Photo credit: Yann Lautrédou)