Siemens expands F1 digital twin desig…

Global motorsports governing body the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) lined up Siemens digital twin technology to help steer the design of future generations of single-seater racing cars, the latest example of the approach being used in the sector.

Siemens is to be the FIA’s Official Digital Twin Sponsor, a designation which involves the motorsports authority extending its use of the company’s software to develop and hone aerodynamic elements for single-seaters ranging from the Formula 4 class to top-tier Formula 1.

The company is being added to a new FIA Global Partnership Programme and the authority is expanding its use of Siemens’ Designcenter NX software to create lifelike designs and conduct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations on the models.

Siemens highlighted the environmental benefits of such virtual testing by reducing manufacturing or wind-tunnel trials, stating the FIA generated in excess of 14,000 individual computer-aided design parts for more than 10,000 CFD simulations using its software since 2022.

Cedrik Neike, CEO of Siemens’ Digital Industries and a member of the parent company’s management board, explained digital twin technology was enabling the FIA to “push the boundaries of performance, safety and sustainability”.

Digital twins have also found a role in the top-flight of motorcycle racing, along with some more unique uses in the agriculture field.