By Graham K. Rogers

Seven days ago, technical and financial pundits were commenting on a rumoured link (or even takeover) between Apple and McLaren. Although famous for its Formula One team, the company has considerable expertise in the computer systems and electronics that are used both in Grand Prix racing (and MotoGP) as well as on road cars these days.

Formula One has always been at the forefront of technology, and Epson, has been involved with the AMG Petronas Mercedes Team since 2015. The link was seen as beneficial in areas of performance and the strong commitment to minimizing environmental impact, like reducing CO2 emissions. It also allowed Epson to showcase its technologies and products to a wider audience.

As part of that showcasing, Epson has outlined the use of its Moverio smart glasses at the recent Singapore race weekend.

[Guests were] guided around the garage where the Team sets up and maintains its Racing Cars, enjoying a talk about the anatomy of the racecar, race day roles of engineering staff, a pit stop explained in slow motion and other interesting information. From this season the Team, which is sponsored by Epson, has inspired visitors with an augmented reality (AR) show using Moverio.

The Epson press release also added

Through the smart glasses, the team can show information such as drivers' profiles and complex engine mechanisms using see-through images. Now VIPs can acquire information easily, even when it is noisy. And understanding has been enhanced because Moverio can display movies in addition to still images.

The system is expected to be used at other races this season, but this is an evolving project with both partners developing applications that will take advantage of the experience.

For more on the partnership with the AMG Petronas Mercedes Formula One Team, Epson has a useful page that provides video, photographs and other information.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. He is now continuing that in the Bangkok Post supplement, Life. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th)