MIDAS 2007 - Gieten cycle race - first live field test
2007 Gieten cycle race - first live field test
important milestone in MIDAS: the first live field test, at a major cycling event
The race took place near the small town of Gieten. It is an annual event, attracting many amateur cyclists from a wide area, and (on the second day) professional cyclists from several countries. It attracts considerable media attention, including on this occasion coverage by Belgian television.
Members of the MIDAS team from Capgemini (Wybe, John, Lorenzo and Matthijs) were helped by Henk and Rick from NOC*NSF and staff from SmartPosition (the company we have allied ourselves with to obtain sensor data), to make sure everything worked. Joe from SINTEF also attended.
the names of competitors and their start numbers have to be entered into the system before the start of the race. We were able to equip a subset of the riders (20) with position sensors.
tension mounts even more as Matthijs starts up the applications -this time for the first REAL test.
MIDAS staff start to distribute sensors to competitors. The sensors are contained in small pouches that can easily be fastened round the arm. MIDAS staff must also ensure that they keep track of which cyclists have which sensors.
The cyclists had not previously been told that they were taking part in this experiment, and found out only just before the start. So some were a little puzzled. But the cycling federation had of course given their formal approval to allow us to do this.
word is received that the race is about to begin.
At least one competitor seems to be smiling and happy with his MIDAS sensor.
They're off! The race begins - and one of the front liners is part of the subset equipped with a MIDAS sensor.
It's a tough race - partly on road, but mostly off-road. Six laps of about 6km for the men.
Spectators (and race officials) can only see individuals going past checkpoints on the road - but for most of the time have no idea how the race is developing off-road, in the forest.
But at MIDAS HQ, Wybe is able to announce "Gentlemen: we are live!" - the software is working as intended. We can see the positions of all the riders, who is in what position, how they are formed into groups, and how far each has still to cycle. (Well, for the ones with MIDAS sensors at least). Screenshots are projected onto a large screen and we all gather round to see.
We use multiple terminals, to simulate different spectators.
One of the women cyclists who had been wearing one of our sensors visits MIDAS HQ after completing the race: she is interested to know what it is all about. As the mens part of the race is still continuing, she can follow the progress (in this case on a NOKIA handheld).
They can follow the progress using the NOKIA handheld, communicating wirelessly back to the MIDAS HQ.
The race is over, but now there is a practical problem: some of the competitors forget they have the sensors on, and leave the field before we have a chance to retrieve them. But we have our secret weapon: that we know exactly where they are. By giving some MIDAS staff sensors too, Henk is able - from MIDAS HQ - to direct retrieval operations.
But today is worse than on day 1: this time two of the culprits (SP.37 and SP.31) have left by car. But Matthijs sets off in the MIDAS pursuit vehicle (SP.22). With the help of instructions from Henk ("suspects moving east towards sports centre" etc.), he is able to track them down.
Matthijs is able to report to Henk that the car chase is over, and the MIDAS sensors have been retrieved. So we are all ready for the next MIDAS event - and can go home and celebrate a succesful first MIDAS field test!
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