Latest News
iOpener completes successful beta test phase of RTR
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
After more than a year of intense testing our iOpener Enabled technology we have successfully completed the beta phase of Real-Time Racing.
In September 2009 iOpener, in cooperation with Swedish game developer SimBin Studios, released the first iOpener Enabled game Real-Time Racing to our first batch of beta testers. During the following year we organized several ground breaking live events on our test track Circuit Zolder in Belgium.
Tens of thousands of enthusiastic gamers from all over the world raced in real-time against real drivers on real tracks from behind their own PC's. After many live events we have now reached the final stage of the beta program. The data of all our previous events has been stored and can still be played even after the completion of the beta phase.
Gamers and race fans will still be able to play the stored iOpener Enabled races from top series like the FIA GT, FIA World Touring Car Championship and race against real drivers such as touring car world champions Gabriele Tarquini, Tom Coronel and GT cracks as Bas Leinders and Xavier Maassen.
If you haven't played Real-Time Racing yourself and wish to experience the thrill of the iOpener Enabled technology please register here today. We will send access keys on monthly basis so we hope to welcome you soon on real-timeracing.com
iOpener Enabled Simulator at Gamescom
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
At the world largest game trade show, the Gamescom, the public was given a taste of an iOpener Enabled PRS motion racing simulator. This high-end race simulator gives the user a fully immersive race experience expanding the opportunities that exist beyond any home PC. Not only race game fans but all general computer and console gamers can be targeted with it. In the past the same simulator has also been used to preview the iOpener Enabled game "RTR-The Real-time Racing Game" to a selected audience.
iOpener tryout at DTM
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
iOpener was asked to showcase the first iOpener Enabled racing game "RTR-the Real-time Racing Game" at the DTM in Zandvoort, the Netherlands. In collaboration with Tolimit Motorsport, racing in the Porsche Careera Cup, an exclusive iOpener Enabled driving simulator made it possible for a selected audience to experience the feeling of virtually racing against a real professional race pilot. The entire Tolimit crew also enjoyed this great experience! To be continued in near future.
iOpener Enabled WRC testing
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
As part of the technical cooperation between the World Rally Championship (WRC) and iOpener to investigate the feasibility of real-time rally gaming, the iOpener team was present at the German WRC rally in Trier. iOpener was provided unprecedented access to fully test its onboard equipment on rally cars of several participating teams during the test days. Also thanks to the collaboration of rally teams Abbering Motorsport, Weijs Motorsport, URT, Sebateam and Dynamic World Rally Team this test turned out to be successful. Congratulations to iOpener Enabled race pilot Hans Weijs Jr. of Weijs Motorsport for winning the junior category jWRC! Click here to read more about the WRC testing.
iOpener demonstration at F1 race Spa-Francorchamps
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
While the real F1 cars were racing around the real circuit on Spa-Francorchamps, the iOpener team demonstrated the first iOpener Enabled "Real-time Racing Game" on a PRS high-end motion simulator to the guests of the Eau Rouge Villa. The enthusiasm was overwhelming and the guests trying it out said they cannot wait until they are able to race live in real-time against the real F1 drivers in their real F1 cars!
Dutch iOpener branch moves to new office
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
After a little more than two years on Delfttechpark, the Delft branch of iOpener has settled into a brand new and larger premise as of this week. The new office is still closely located to the high-tech campus of the University Delft and will pose a great opportunity to work in an innovative environment along with 40 other high-tech start-ups.
New address:
iOpener Media BV
Molengraaffsingel 12-14
2629 JD Delft
The Netherlands
World Premiere: First ever iOpener Enabled FIA WTCC race
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Beta testers of the first iOpener
Enabled game "Real-time Racing" have experienced their first
official FIA race. They faced Dutch WTCC driver Tom Coronel and
last year's WTCC champion Gabriele Tarquini, both driving the real
WTCC SEAT Leon TDI, during the WTCC race weekend of June 18-20th held at
Circuit Zolder.
"After months of preparation and testing of the systems in
training and regional races, it is finally going to happen. The
iOpener Enabled technology will be used for the first time live in
an official FIA race," says Andy Lürling, Group President of
iOpener.
Please click here to read the full press release.
iOpener Enabled Pilot Xavier Maassen at Le Mans 24h
Friday, June 04, 2010
Besides testing and developing the iOpener Enabled product, that allows gamers worldwide to race in real-time against real drivers on real circuits, Xavier Maassen is also the first professional race driver helping to setup road awareness programs. One will learn and experience the principles of save driving in these programs. Better driving is Adrenaline control. The concept is an initiative from UAE Gulf Horizon Group and is based on the iOpener Enabled technology. Adrenaline Control will be first made public during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where this new partnership with Xavier Maassen takes off. Click here to read the full press release.
Dutch Minister takes seat in iOpener Enabled simulator
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
During the opening ceremony of the
new ESA business incubator in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, the Dutch
Minister of Economic Affairs, Ms Maria van den Hoeven, visited the
stands of available products whose technological development are
linked to the European Space Agency.
Ms van den Hoeven was so thrilled to hear about the business case
of iOpener that she immediately tested the first iOpener Enabled
race game "Real-time Racing" herself. After one of iOpener's race
engineers explained to her the groundbreaking features of this
technology she said: " Let me show this to the prime minister, he
will love it!"
Improving road safety and shaping the new world race champions
Thursday, April 15, 2010
This weekend for the first time in the Gulf region visitors will have the opportunity to compare their race skills against real professional race drivers. A select group of visitors of the FIA GT1 season opening at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi are given the opportunity to compete in a race simulator against Belgian FIA GT1 driver, Bas Leinders, in his Ford GT 40 of Marc VDS Racing.
The novel part is that the fortunate visitors can compare their skills and compete against Leinders racing in a simulator, where the Belgian FIA GT driver is driving in his real race car on a real circuit. This is made possible by a product called 'iOpener Enabled'. It is based on a patented technology using amongst others specially developed Satellite Navigation systems.
FIA GT1 drivers Leinders and Xavier Maassen; already have experience driving against virtual opponents. Leinders says: "Although I can't see the virtual drivers, the knowledge that thousands of people will try to beat you gives an exciting feeling". Maassen adds: "In Europe I have been involved in testing the iOpener Enabled product, and I have to say that this is a total new and great way of experiencing motorsports for the drivers as well as for the fans".
Group President & Founder of German based iOpener, Andy Lürling, explains; "By the end of this year people around the world will be able to race in real-time live against their race heroes while they are driving the real cars on the real circuits". He continues; "Fans can race online from behind their PCs at home, as well as in specialized simulators centres which are in development. With the iOpener Enabled product it is also possible to identify race talent, and educate this talent into future race champions."
Partner of iOpener is UAEs Gulf Horizon Group, chaired by H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Badi. Jointly the companies are working on finalizing the product and the market introduction. Gulf Horizon Group CEO, Charbel Deeb says: "For the Middle East & Gulf region, as well as for many emerging countries, we will introduce a road & safety awareness program to support governments, and related organizations with improving the road safety. We will reach the people based on circuit and rally racing, through both our online presence, as well as through our simulator centers."
Of course it would be very interesting to see this product at the new Yas Marina Circuit and other circuits in the region, resulting in safer roads and F1 and Rally World Champions coming from the Gulf Region in the near future.
Click here to download the full press release.
WRC announces official cooperation with iOpener
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
After rumours in both the world of motorsports as well as
videogames have been persisting, the global promoter
for the FIA World Rally Championship, North One Sport, iOpener
Media and Black Bean Games have agreed to make a public
announcement.
The partners will work together to collect a continuous stream of
positioning and telemetry data from the cars competing on WRC
rallies.
Andy Lürling, CEO of iOpener, says: "Together we aim to
configure North One Sport's systems and iOpener's patented
technology to capture high accuracy live action GPS which can then
be integrated into the next generation of WRC video games."
The Gulf Horizon Group, chaired by Mr. Saeed Mohammed Saeed Al
Badi, has also confirmed its involvement. Click here to read the press release and here
for the official press release kit.
iOpener Enabled displayed at European Motorshow Brussels
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
This marks the first time that the iOpener Enabled product is showcased at a trade show open to the public at the Expo in Brussels. From January 11th till January 24th iOpener Enabled race simulators will give visitors the opportunity to get a taste of the first iOpener Enabled game RTR-The Real-time Racing Game. Along with the stand of Circuit Zolder you can find us at booth Nr11 of hall Nr22. We look forward to seeing you there!
Miss iOpener Enabled - Season 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Today iOpener presents the winner of the Miss iOpener Enabled Contest; Miriam from Germany will be representing the iOpener Enabled feature in the racing Season of 2010. Applications from around the world have been reviewed by the jury. In the end Miriam was able to convince the jury that she is the best fit for supporting the iOpener team in bringing the revolutionary iOpener Enabled feature to the world of motorsports and gaming! We want to thank all ladies that applied and encourage them to submit their application for next season. Besides winning the title Miss iOpener Enabled - Season 2010, Miriam also won a professional photo shooting. The pictures will be available to the iOpener Enabled fan base soon.
Ladies interested in taking part in the Miss iOpener Enabled contest for next season can already ask for the application form by writing a simple e-mail to miss@iopenermedia.com. We are again awaiting multiple participants from all over the world!
F1 urged to embrace modern media
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Key figures in the motorsport have
publicly brought to attention the need for a refreshed approach to
the world of new media. Recognising the importance of online and
interactive opportunities, the Motor Sports Business Forum in
Monaco highlighted the future path for the Formula 1.
iOpener CEO, Andy Lürling, attending the forum in Monaco
mentioned: "Everyone here agrees that the sport is in need to
integrate new media to satisfy the demand of the race fan,
using internet as well as gaming! The iOpener Enabled product
is very well received all across the Forum". He underlined this
statement by presenting the vast media impact and consumer response
of the ongoing Beta-test.
Click here for a more in-depth coverage of the
event.
Rally Champion Sebastian Loeb showcases next generation race game
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The WRC is on track to make the new
age of digital media a substantial part of its future business
strategy. Part of this strategy includes 3D television, real-time
information and high definition broadcast coverage. However, crown
jewel of this plan is a revolutionary game to let the fans race
real-time live against the real rally cars driven by the real
rally champions at real WRC race stages.
The audience of the Motor Sports Business Forum in Monaco already
got a taste of the upcoming WRC game through the public showcase of
a video-clip showing rally champion Sebastian Loeb racing from home
on his game console and still taking part in the actual race. For
more coverage please click here.
ACES Academic Enterprise Awards nominate iOpener
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The only pan-European awards for
entrepreneurship at academic institutions has named iOpener Media
as one of three candidates for winning this year's Microsoft ICT
Prize. iOpener Media, representating both TU Delft as well as the
European Space Agency is facing competitors from ENSTA-ParisTech
and École Poltechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.
The winner will be anounced in the City Hall of Paris on December
10, 2009. To read more click here.
Circuit Zolder 'first official iOpener Enabled test track'
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The circuit of Zolder on which the iOpener Enabled feature has been tested over the past year has become the 'first official iOpener Enabled test track'. Together with the Circuit Zolder iOpener will continue enhancing the motorsport world. For the full article click here.
Miss iOpener Enabled Contest
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
iOpener Enabled is to be represented in the coming 2010 season by the 'Miss iOpener Enabled'. From today all ladies can apply to submit their appropriate picture to miss@iopenermedia.com . Entries from around the world are welcome. To read the full press release click here.
Real-time Racing tests during Zolder FIA GT weekend
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
During the coming weekend of
October 24th and 25th the Circuit of Zolder
hosts the final round of the FIA GT Championship 2009. In many ways this
weekend will be the venue of groundbreaking news.
First of all the closure of this season will be also the closure
of the FIA GT championship in its current form. In 2010 FIA GT will
become an official FIA World Championship, showcasing new GT1
specification race cars only. The FIA GT1 World Championship will
join the current illustrious list of FIA World Championships,
namely F1, WTCC and the WRC.
The second breaking news will astonish the gaming as well as the
motorsport world! On Saturday 24 October 5,000 beta
testers will be racing from behind their computers at home in
real-time live against FIA GT driver Bas Leinders
in his Matech Ford GT 40 during the FIA GT practice
session. FIA GT Championship organizer SRO stated they
are happy to facilitate this trial event for RTR, the first
iOpener Enabled game.
iOpener Enabled nominated for two innovation prizes: Vote Now!
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Along with its ground-breaking product "Real-time Racing", iOpener has been nominated by Accenture, the worldwide leading consulting company, for the Dutch innovation award in two different categories: "Best Gaming Concept" as well as "Public Prize". The latter asks the audience to decide on the most innovative product of the year 2009. If you want to see iOpener win this title do go and vote here!
Beta release of iOpener Enabled SimBim game
Thursday, October 01, 2009
The next generation of race gaming
has started! As of today per continent randomly selected beta
testers have the opportunity to test the first 'iOpener Enabled'
race game RTR (Real-Time Racing) to its limits. For the next four
months 5,000 gamers will be racing from behind their own PC against
real professionals driving real powerful GT cars at Circuit Zolder
in Belgium.
In the last months already over 11,000 enthusiastic gamers and
race fans registered at www.real-timeracing.com to have a chance to
be the first to take on the challenge of racing against the
professional race drivers during live events, and based on stored
data after the events. The first live event during the four month
beta period will take place on October 8, 2009. Click here to read the full press release.
Winner of RTR car skin contest
Friday, September 18, 2009
The preparations for the start of the RTR Beta Test are in the final phase. To find the iOpener Enabled car livery for the beta phase a contest was held at the simulation-racing-community Race Department.
The contestants entered many beautiful car skins and the community
decided on the 10 finalists. From these, the jury consisting of the
CEOs of the contest sponsors choose the winner car skin from
Grégory Cogotti (France) who is now the proud owner of a new
iOpener Enabled PlaySeat and two VIP tickets to the FIA GT race at
Circuit Zolder. Click here for the press release.
Official Launch of iOpener Enabled Animation
Friday, September 11, 2009
The kick-off for the beta test of
the first iOpener Enabled game "RTR- The Real-time racing Game" is
getting closer. Therefore the company released its official trailer
for its product brand today. It aims at reinforcing the brand
identity of the iOpener Enabled product. From today onwards one
will know that the game is iOpener Enabled, when the animation is
played while a computer or console game is starting up.
Click here to watch the trailer.
iOpener supports OneBigGame initiative
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Today iOpener CEO, Andy Lürling, proudly announced that iOpener supports the ONEBIGGAME videogames charity initiative. Lürling: "The iOpener team cares about humanity, and would like to show this. It goes without saying that when being active in the games industry there is a link to OneBigGame."
An industry wide videogames charity project, OneBigGame raises money for a number of children charities, such as Save the Children, by selling games designed for free by famous designers and developers. OneBigGame chairman, Martin de Ronde, says: "It's tremendous to see the various ways of support OneBigGame is receiving from all kinds of companies in the games industry, in this case prime visibility in a soon to be released high profile racing game. With so many people anticipating this game and its revolutionary GPS technology, we can be assured the OneBigGame initiative is given mass market exposure, which will once again help us in our cause to make people aware of the problems facing many children worldwide these days still."
OneBigGame will be visible in the first iOpener Enabled game, developed by SimBin. The beta version of this game will go live this coming 1 October.
Successful trial run of iOpener with WTCC Chevrolet on circuit Zolder
Monday, August 10, 2009
Today marked yet another successful
day of trial runs for the engineers of iOpener, for they tested the
iOpener Enabled equipment for this first time with the WTCC Chevrolet
team!
While the team has had a clear winning streak of five wins so far
this season, they decided on spending a day at next year's WTCC track of
Zolder, which enjoys being iOpener Enabled. "We are developing
the cars further during this season, with an emphasis on
fine-tuning," says Mark Busfield, Chevrolet Racing Project
Manager. Amongst others the Chevrolet Cruze was fitted with the
Orange Box (iOpener's positioning & telemetry box) in order to
make use of the iOpener Enabled circuit feature.
Just like the team of the Chevrolet Cruze, soon gamers from around
the world will be able to enjoy Zolder in the beta test of the
first iOpener Enabled game: Real-time Racing. Together with SimBin
the iOpener Enabled circuit of Zolder will play an important role
in bringing the real race cars to the virtual world. Cruze driver
Nicola Larini is also looking forward to the racing on Zolder:
"I am really happy that the WTCC is coming back here and
although this will only happen next year, having the possibility to
test now will certainly be useful."
iOpener CEO to speak at MotorSport World Expo
Thursday, July 02, 2009
It has been confirmed that iOpener's CEO Andy Lürling will speak to the audience of the annual professional MotorSport World Expo. In specific he will be elaborating on new sources of revenue for race tracks, also with respect to newly advanced technologies. This year the renown motorsport conference is held in Cologne on the 4th and 5th of November. Click here to view the preliminary programme.
SimBin and iOpener join forces to revolutionise the race game world
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Today it was announced that SimBin
is working on the first iOpener Enabled game which is aimed at the
consumer market.
After gamers have been playing against the PC's AI as well as
against other gamers through multiplayer function, this game opens
up the next dimension: Playing against the professional drivers,
who are racing real cars on real tracks. This is made possible by
integrating the patented technology of iOpener. Click here for the official Press Release.
World Rally Championship's next game: Racing live against rally heroes
Friday, April 24, 2009
The next generation WRC computer
game will allow players to 'compete' in live rallies", states ISC
chairman Neil Duncanson in the April version of SportBusiness
International magazine. ISC, the global promoter of the World Rally
Championship (WRC), mentions WRC's ultimate goal as building up an
online gaming world championship alongside the real thing.
ISC and the computer gaming industry believe the next step in
gaming is this 'live' competition between gamers and real drivers,
made possible through iOpener's patented technology.
ISC CEO Simon Long says: "Now we are a global promoter, we want
this to be multi-platform, multi-publisher, multi-territory."
For Long and Duncanson the new game is part of WRC's broader
efforts to appeal new fans beyond the hardcore enthusiastics. FIA's
chairman Max Mosley has said the virtual champion will be honoured
at the WRC's annual end-of-season awards ceremony in Monaco.
Click here to read the full article.
Pre-registration started for first iOpener Enabled Game
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Take the first step towards racing against real drivers on real tracks, all in real-time! The pre-registration has now been launched on the Real-time Racing Portal! Make sure to sign up!
FIA and F1 see market-opportunity for iOpener product
Monday, February 16, 2009
In recent interviews given to the press, both FIA president Mr. Max Mosley as well as F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone readily acknowledge the fact that there is more room for improvement in the F1 media coverage.
Mr. Mosley even goes as far as mentioning that advanced interactive technology, such as iOpener's product, already exists and sees vast potential to bring F1 interactivity to the people's living room.
"On top of that, if you have some good software writers you could sit at home and join in the race. And there would be the race, and you would be in the middle of it...socking it to Lewis Hamilton for pole position. It is all there to be done." This technology (patented by iOpener) is part of how he sees F1 would revolutionise the way they do the internet.
Furthermore F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone shifts the attention for this development also to the hands of the broadcasting media companies. "We have deals with television companies worldwide giving them exclusive rights to exploit F1 across all forms of media in their territory - including the Internet," said Ecclestone.
Click here to read the press coverage.
iOpener wins Innovation Award
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday evening at the award gala in the coronation hall in Aachen (Germany) iOpener was announced as the winner of the Innovation Award in the category fast growing successful 'young companies'. Chief Operational Officer, Sven Bakkes and Technology Director, Manuel Rejen received the prestigious award from Mr. Helmut Greif, Director of the AGIT (the regional development agency for the Technology Region Aachen) Due to obligations in Malaysia at the A1GP iOpener's CEO, Andy Lürling couldn't attend the award ceremony. Click here to read the AGIT press release (in German)
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