iOpener Takes Mirrored Racing To Beta

By On May 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment

iOpener isn't creating a full mirror world, but it is creating a particularly interesting application. The European Space Agency-incubated company aims to combine GPS, gaming, and Formula 1 racing to let fans compete against the pros. (See the video below for more info.) The technology has also attracted some attention–and $6 million in funding–and last week began recruiting beta testers for "Opener Enabled."

Interestingly, while the technology is aimed at games to start with, iOpener is already seeing applications for improving training, track control, and safety for drivers.

"We know that gamers and race enthusiasts have been waiting to be able to race against professional drivers in real time. It's actually a very complicated thing to do but we've cracked it. Now we're ready to put the technology in the hands of some of the best race gamers to see what they can do with it," Andy Lurling, CEO of iOpener Media, said in a statement.

Opener Enabled will begin beta testing in mid-June and launch later this year.