Formula E and Virtually Live, a San Francisco-based virtual reality (VR) technology business, today announced a partnership to bring a Virtually Live experience to the world's first fully-electric racing series. The two companies have been successfully testing live broadcasts in VR during several races this season, and will continue to do so for the remainder of the current championship, which culminates with the Visa London ePrix on July 2/3.
Virtually Live is a revolutionary, immersive virtual reality technology for experiencing live events in real time, providing fans who can’t attend in person with a new way to experience events as if they were physically present.
During the course of the Long Beach ePrix, Formula E and Virtually Live will be showcasing their virtual reality experience through a series of events [including a fans’ forum]. Following the trial at Long Beach, fans will be able to download the experience in the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive App stores.
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said: “As an innovative championship, we’re excited to partner with Virtually Live. Virtual reality is one of the most exciting new ways to broadcast live sports and improve fans’ viewing experiences. Now, we can give fans that cannot attend a race in person the opportunity of feeling like they are actually immersed in the Formula E experience from any perspective.”
Virtually Live CEO Tom Impallomeni said: “We are very excited about the partnership and believe that we are an ideal match. Both Formula E and Virtually Live have a clear mission: we are pushing innovation and technological boundaries. Formula E aims to represent a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a framework for R&D around the electric vehicle, while Virtually Live is building a revolutionary, immersive virtual reality technology allowing everyone to experience the magic of live sports and events from anywhere in the world.”
Further details and announcements about the partnership and races broadcast live by Virtually Live will be made at the end of the season.