Mercedes F1 team adopts AR tech to boost race car assembly speed

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is now employing augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance the efficiency of its Test and Development Lab, working alongside digital workplace solutions provider TeamViewer.

AR in assembly

The Test and Development Lab is using TeamViewer's Frontline platform to support the assembly of complex test rigs for racing car parts. These rigs are crucial for evaluating components that will face significant mechanical stress on race days. The introduction of live AR instructions replaces the previous reliance on printed guides, which required manual cross-checking and slowed down assembly. Animated overlays now present step-by-step instructions, offering immediate visibility into the assembly process.

Steve Riley, Head of IT Operations and Development at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said:

"We use TeamViewer to minimise setup time in Testing and Development and ensure all rigs are 100% accurate before testing begins. Instead of referring to build guides and designs which are elsewhere in the facility, our team can incorporate AR into their workflow and immediately see how the parts form that assembly. And gains in every area of the team's operations add up to improved performance where it really matters - on the racetrack," said Riley.

Real-time processes

The AR-driven approach utilises tablet devices loaded with TeamViewer's Frontline software, giving engineers live visual overlays. This enables precise placement of every component and allows real-time comparison with 3D CAD (computer-aided design) data. The system checks that all required parts are present and installed before any testing begins, ensuring accuracy and reducing the risk of errors.

Daniel Markland, Principal Test and Development Technician at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said:

"Test and Development is an area of the company dedicated to the safety, reliability, and performance testing of the majority of components which go onto an F1 car. We can now take a tablet, and through that tablet we can see in real time and space a projection of the 3D CAD model. So, we're looking at where we need to assemble these things, and we can see them in AR," said Markland.

Impact on race performance

The shift in technology is intended to shorten the time it takes to move from design to on-track testing. This could provide advantages for drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as the team seeks any potential competitive edge during a Formula One race weekend.

Markland added:

"Having a partner that understands how crucial that time frame is to us, is key in us being quicker or faster to develop parts, to test parts, deliver parts to the track. So having TeamViewer know each step in our development process and really be on board with helping deliver performance across each of those steps is massively valuable for us," said Markland.