Formula E’s Electrifying New Visual: Immersive Driver’s Eye Camera
Formula E gives fans a unique view of the races straight from the cockpit with a new innovative camera feature integrated directly into the driver’s helmet. Nicknamed Driver’s Eye, the new visual allows for a live view of the action, showing people a side of the race that’s never seen before.
The pioneering tech aims to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in sports broadcasting by transmitting live footage from the camera imbedded behind the visor direct to television screens. This is the first time that such a technology will be used in any category of any single-seater racing endorsed by Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
Formula E debuted the Driver’s Eye in this month’s Santiago ePrix, giving viewers the chance to feel every bump and brush against the wall around the tight and twisty city center circuits. If you didn’t get to see that particular race, here’s a sampling of what you can expect from the tech.
The FIA-homologated camera tech is securely positioned on the protective padding inside the lining of the helmet. Sitting exactly at the eye level of the driver, it doesn’t hamper vision, nor does it put the driver at risk in any way. And due to the way it’s positioned, you get to see exactly what the driver sees.
©fia.com[/caption>The camera itself measures 8 millimeters in diameter and weighs just 2.5 grams. It took many months of research to fine-tune the finished product and make it race-ready, and involved input from FIA, Formula E and the participating teams.
"I think it is cool how Driver’s Eye shows fans exactly what I am seeing during a race in real time,” said Venturi Racing driver Felipe Mass.
“It gives the viewers insight into the tight and challenging city-center circuits that we race on in Formula E and it demonstrates what drivers need to manage and control over the course of a race. I like tech like this, that brings fans even closer to the action. Driver’s Eye is a great way to show the work that goes on behind the wheel," concluded the 11-time Grand Prix winner.
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