Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s digital vision technology

Panasonic Jaguar Racing is applying digital vision technology developed using insights derived from the brand’s Traffic Sign Recognition systems to boost racing success with the Jaguar I-TYPE 4.

In road car applications, such as the Jaguar I-PACE all-electric performance SUV, the Traffic Sign Recognition system (TSR) uses an advanced stereo camera and image processing software to detect and read road signs, informing drivers of speed limits, temporary speed limits, and no-overtaking restrictions.

This information is also used by the Adaptive Speed Limiter system, helping drivers stay within the permissible speed by automatically slowing the vehicle down, if necessary, when entering areas with a lower limit.

Engineers at Panasonic Jaguar Racing are applying similar principles for a very different purpose: to monitor the battery status of the I-TYPE and competitors’ racecars – automatically and in real time – and use this data to determine the optimum energy strategies for drivers Mitch Evans and James Calado.

James Barclay, team director, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, said: “Racing usually improves the breed, but here’s an example of a road car technology being used to aid success on the track. Traffic Sign Recognition helps customers stay within the speed limit but we’ve taken learnings from that system to help us understand when to push and when we can afford to ease off – optimising energy management throughout a race.”

Adopting digital vision systems with image recognition as the enabler for the new energy strategy modelling process delivered a step-change in speed, accuracy and flexibility compared to the tools used previously, and is future-proofed to make even more detailed analyses possible in seasons to come.

The technology transfer is one example of advances in Jaguar’s road cars being used to support success on the track. This advantage is complemented by the on-going application of knowledge gained from the extremes of racing to improve vehicles such as the all-electric I-PACE.

One of the most significant benefits to date – underpinned by invaluable learning gained from the I-PACE eTROPHY race series and Formula E – was a software update to the I-PACE introduced in December 2019 which gave customers worldwide up to 20km more real-world range from a full charge. This was delivered though further optimisation of battery management, thermal systems, regenerative braking and all-wheel drive torque distribution.

The on-going collaborative partnership between engineers in Jaguar Racing and those working on core Jaguar vehicle programmes ensures that knowledge, processes and technologies continue to pass from road to track and vice-versa. This is helping to deliver greater performance and efficiency in further development of the I-TYPE and Jaguar’s future electrified vehicles including the next-generation all-electric XJ.