The electric-car Formula E series arrived in Brooklyn last weekend for a pair of races in the New York City ePrix, where the circuit’s commitment to green technology extended to the pits where the teams had an autonomous helper ferrying supplies.
DHL, a major sponsor and the official logistics partner of Formula E, has provided its EffiBOT on site for Formula E races since its debut in Mexico City in March. Developed by French company Effidence, the EffiBOT is a fully-autonomous electric wagon capable of carrying heavy loads. In this demonstration video, it is shown offering apples to fans, carrying heavy auto parts for crews, delivering oversized champagne bottles to the winner’s circle and giving a lift to one of the drivers.
Earlier this summer, the EffiBOT trolley carried a 360-degree camera to record Marc Priestley — a Formula 1 and Formula E analyst who also hosts Discovery Channel’s Driving Wild — to provide new perspective of the course and pits.
Sam Bird of DS Virgin Racing won both races this weekend, with Virgin founder Richard Branson on hand to douse his driver with bubbly from a giant Mumm champagne bottle. Leonardo DiCaprio, an investor in Formula E, was also on hand for the races.
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DHL delivered all 40 racing cars taking part in the New York City ePrix, along with lithium-ion batteries, charging stations, garage equipment and track infrastructure for the 10 teams. The cargo traveled to the U.S. from Europe via ocean freight which produces 100 times less CO2 emissions than transporting the same cargo via air, according to DHL.
“With the FIA Formula E Championship, DHL, a pioneer in green logistics, is working alongside a pacesetter in clean auto racing with a vision to advance automotive technology at large,” Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express, said in a release.“Handling the logistics for this championship presents a great opportunity to showcase how the transport of all the equipment needed to stage this great event can be done while minimizing the carbon footprint of the entire operation. Furthermore, Formula E provides a platform to engage with young urban audiences on sustainability which is the core of our marketing partnership with Formula E.”
Highlights from the 2017 FIA #FormulaE @Qualcomm #NYCePrix (Round 10), a weekend where @SamBirdRacing and @DSVirginRacing dominated!
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— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) July 17, 2017