” AIR RACE X” is the world’s first attempt to transform urban spaces around the world into race venues through digital technology. The core technology supporting the realization of this project is the real metaverse platform “STYLY”.
The AIR RACE that moved and excited the world is back as AIR RACE X!
AIR RACE X is the next generation of motorsports, establishing an unprecedented innovative competition format and spectator style through a new racing format that combines actual flight with the latest digital technology.
Pilots will fly real airplanes at locations around the world and race for the fastest time in a remote format. Spectators can watch the pilots’ flights remotely up close via augmented reality (AR) technology.
A total of eight air race pilots, including Yoshihide Muroya of Japan, Matt Hall of Australia, and Pete McLeod of Canada, will compete in this memorable world-first event, and the final tournament will be held on October 15, 2023 (Sunday) in Shibuya. A center place of Japanese culture. The final tournament will be held on October 15, 2023 (Sunday) in Shibuya.
For complete list of PILOTS and BIO click here
Digital Rounds
This format is called “Digital Rounds” and consists of round-robin qualifying held over six days and a final tournament held over one day.
AIR RACE X offers a new style of spectating for many fans with a new race format that combines actual flight and digital technology. Teams accumulate championship points in several digital rounds in a remote format. In the future, teams with the highest championship points will gather in real life for the Grand Championship final round to compete for the annual championship.
⚫︎ Remote-competition
The race course for the digital round, which is conducted in remote format, is created by measuring the exact position and spacing where each pilot will fly. The latest sensing technology is used to measure all flight details, and the flight data is collected and analyzed by the competition headquarters. This data is then used for the competition.
⚫︎ Qualifying (6 days)
A one-on-one round-robin format. Each team nominates its opponent prior to the flight via an online platform provided by AIR RACE X. The nominated teams will fly during the qualifying period. All teams compete against each other in a round-robin format, and game points (winners) are tallied. The top four teams’ in-game points (wins) will advance to the final tournament.
More about AIR RACE X FORMAT please found in the explanatory video notes mentioned by Desmont Barry: Project Leader of Organizing Committee of AIR RACE X
It can’t be real! A whole city like Shibuya is a race site !
In the Digital Round, competition data is generated, by collecting and analyzing ultra-high-precision flight data from pilots flying in various locations around the world. It is then uploaded online. The competition data is then turned into a visual representation using augmented reality (AR) technology. On the day of the finals, the pilots will be able to watch their flights in the streets of Shibuya, offering a new way to enjoy motorsports.
STYLY, a real metaverse platform makes possible Innovative public viewing that transcends time and space
This new style of spectating offered by AIR RACE X is made possible by the advanced technology of the real metaverse platform “STYLY”.
By holding up an XR device or smartphone running the “STYLY” application (https://gallery.styly.cc), spectators can watch the race planes fly through the streets of Shibuya as if it were happening right before their eyes. The race will also be broadcast online to the entire world, allowing visitors to enjoy the excitement of the race via live video streaming, just as they have done in previous air races.
AIR RACE X will offer a new style of spectating as “5-dimensional motorsports” that transcends time and space by making full use of the latest technology.
AIR RACE X New Race advantages.
With the sports and entertainment industry being greatly affected by the current global situation, this new race format will allow pilots to participate in races at any time of the day, regardless of borders or time zones.
AIR RACE X Based on a common course layout created by the event headquarters, competitors actually fly between track markers placed at the same position and intervals which are measured using the latest sensing technology.
Pilots can try out as many practices as they wish during the period in the race area where they are based, and the number of flights they can make will allow them to tune their flying techniques to be more competitive.
- From Mr. Ken Hasebe, Mayor of the host city, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo Message for the inaugural AIR RACE X
We are delighted to hear that Air Race X will be held in Shibuya for the first time in the world, and are delighted that this wonderful event will be held in harmony with the energy of the city. I sincerely hope that this event will be an opportunity to experience the power and speed of aircraft up close in Shibuya, and to positively welcome the excitement and vitality that this event will bring to Shibuya as a new type of sports entertainment that combines the real and virtual, and to further enhance the appeal of the area.
Yoshihide Muroya, a participating pilot in the AIR RACE X, took center stage during the press conference to share his insights on the captivating appeal of XR With enthusiasm, he described the race as a groundbreaking 5-dimensional motorsport that pushes the boundaries of time and space
- From Yoshihide Muroya, Japanese air race pilot On the Inaugural AIR RACE X
”I am truly looking forward to competing in this new form of air racing. The format of the race and the style of spectating for the fans have changed, but the hardness and precision of the flights and the many other things you need to prepare for as a pilot remain the same. I am looking forward to competing against my rivals again!
Developing a real metaverse platform “STYLY”. – Digital Technology and the Future of Sports from Psychic VR Lab
AIR RACE X” is the world’s FIRST attempt to transform urban spaces around the world into race venues through digital technology. The core technology supporting the realization of this project is the real metaverse platform “STYLY”.
”STYLY” extends the real urban space itself into an experiential media with XR technology. In the future, sports will not be limited to mere spectating, but will even be able to create new rules in sports spectating, utilizing Web3 and NFT communities, further changing the way we enjoy sports.
These urban XR entertainment we are creating will not “replace” the real world, but will create a completely new experience by “merging” virtual technology into the current world. We believe that this will create a flow of people in the city and propose a new lifestyle.
The “AIR RACE X” project represents the future of sports spectating and represents a new form of entertainment that no one has ever achieved before.
AIR RACE X 2023 Host City Shibuya
Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most famous downtown areas and is known as a centre of youth culture and trends.
Outline of the event
Name of the event: AIR RACE X 2023 – SHIBUYA DIGITAL ROUND
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Public viewing venue: to be announced soon (Shibuya)
The live broadcast will be available on the special website of AIR RACE X Shibuya from 16:00 Japan time.
Hosted by: Air Race X Organizing Committee (Pathfinder Co., Ltd., Strategic Partners Inc., STYLY, NOIZ, Shibuya Future Design Inc.)
Official site: https://www.airracex.com/
About STYLY
STYLY is a real metaverse platform that enables the creation and distribution of XR content linked to urban spaces, and has facilitated many creator training and location-based projects.
STYLY is equipped with 3D data from cities around the world, which can be used to create and distribute content linked to real space. Furthermore, STYLY is compatible with multiple devices, allowing users to experience AR content on a variety of devices, including smartphones, AR/MR glasses, web browsers, and VRHMDs.
We will continue to collaborate with creators and cities around the world to promote the “Real Metaverse” that augments the real world with technology and create an “era of wearing space” where XR/Real Metaverse is used in our lifestyles.
STYLY Official Site: https://styly.cc/