NTT Data > Case Studies > Revving Up the Racing Fan Experience with IoT: A Case Study on INDYCAR Mobile App

Revving Up the Racing Fan Experience with IoT: A Case Study on INDYCAR Mobile App

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Event-Driven Application
Robots - Wheeled Robots

Applicable Industries

Automotive
Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Maintenance
Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Real-Time Location System (RTLS)

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

The Customer

INDYCAR, LLC

About The Customer

The customer in this case study is INDYCAR, a premier motorsport entity that organizes the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, featuring open-wheel cars racing on various tracks. Born from the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, the series includes international drivers from more than 20 teams. In 2019, NTT became the title partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and its Official Technology Partner. INDYCAR is also the sanctioning body for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 race, and the NASCAR Brickyard events. The organization has a global fan base of nearly 70 million, connected via broadcast TV, radio, and satellite coverage.

The Challenge

INDYCAR, a premier motorsport entity, was seeking ways to enhance the fan experience beyond the traditional means. The organization wanted to leverage technology to provide real-time race data, media-rich features, and immersive experiences to its growing fan base. The challenge was to develop a fully functional mobile application that could handle the vast amount of data generated during races, provide real-time updates, and engage fans in a meaningful way. The app needed to be ready for worldwide downloads before the start of the 2019 race season. Furthermore, the app had to be scalable, capable of supporting over 100,000 concurrent users, and offer enhanced features such as real-time telemetry, live leader board, and track map. The development timeline was tight, with only six months to the first race of the season.

The Solution

To meet this challenge, INDYCAR partnered with NTT DATA, leveraging their expertise in customer experience, application development, and management. NTT DATA's team collaborated with INDYCAR's IT team to scope out the requirements, prioritize tasks, and marshal resources for the project. They used proven development frameworks and libraries, and built scalable infrastructure to develop, test, and deliver the INDYCAR Mobile App on time. The app was designed to provide a two-screen viewing experience, allowing fans to tune into their favorite driver’s radio channel, view in-car camera footage, and stay updated with real-time race data. The app was made available globally on both Android and iOS devices, and was designed to attract younger fans, who have come to expect such interactive and immersive experiences.

Operational Impact

The INDYCAR Mobile App has significantly improved fan engagement, providing real-time race data and media-rich features. It has successfully placed fans in the driver's seat with up to 11 live in-car cameras available to view in the app. The app has also achieved high user ratings in both the Apple App Store and Google Play, indicating a positive reception from the users. The two-screen viewing experience has been particularly appreciated by fans, allowing them to tune into their favorite driver’s radio channel and listen in real time. The app has been instrumental in attracting younger fans and keeping them engaged, thereby contributing to the growth of the fan base. The successful implementation of the app has set a new standard for fan engagement in motorsports.

Quantitative Benefit

70,000 app users during 2021 events
169,000 new app downloads in 2021
User sessions increased by an average of over five minutes compared to prior years