Arriving in the F1 paddock on Thursday, F1 Digital staff were seen working with a pair of robots which move on wheels and have a flat screen at the top fitted with a camera, measuring just over five feet tall.
Fans can interact with drivers and paddock staff through screens showing their faces.
The bots are part of a new F1 initiative to help fans engage and have been supplied by a French company called Awabot, which works with a number of major sports organizations and teams. AI technology has already been used by FC Barcelona, Paris-Saint Germain and at the FIA gala dinner in 2021.
Kevin Magnussen, Haas with a paddock robot
Photo by: Luke Smith
As part of the trial, four fans will be connected to the paddock throughout the race weekend, all of whom are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
One of the fans connecting to the paddock with one of the robots became a quadriplegic following a car accident six years ago. He is able to drive the robot remotely using his eyes, allowing him to explore the paddock via technology.
Another fan is a child who is currently receiving hospice care. Technology is used to give them and their families the chance to experience the F1 paddock.
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri and Eric Abidal with an F1 paddock robot
Photo by: Luke Smith
One of Awabot’s ambassadors is former Barcelona footballer Eric Abidal, who was in the paddock over the weekend as part of the trial. Awabot works in close collaboration with the Eric Abidal Foundation, which works for the well-being of young people fighting cancer.
Former France international Abidal had a liver tumor removed in 2011 and underwent a liver transplant the following year.
F1 has trialled many new technologies to improve the fan experience in recent years, including hosting virtual driver meet-and-greets via screens entering the paddock at races during the Covid-19 pandemic.
