As a futurist, my role isn’t tracking current trends, it’s identifying emerging technologies that will reshape industries before they become mainstream. This week on the Digitally Curious podcast, I spoke with Gill Switalski, CEO of Infrared Kinetics, about a British company solving one of real-time tracking’s most persistent challenges: GPS limitations. Listen to the episode above or search for “digitally curious” wherever you get your podcasts.
Infrared Kinetics (IRK): Precision Tracking Beyond GPS
Infrared Kinetics has developed an ultra-fast, infrared-based tracking platform that achieves 5 cm accuracy with millisecond latency. Objects (cars, drones, freight) carry tiny IR beacons and are monitored by an array of IR cameras. Only minimal location data (a few kilobytes) are sent to the control hub, enabling real-time updates up to ~90–100 times per second. By contrast, GPS systems in motorsport or logistics usually update at ~1 Hz with metre-scale error. IRK’s local infrared network is robust to weather and obstructions – it “cut straight through fog” during tests – and uses off-the-shelf hardware for cost-effective, dependable operation. In short, IRK offers a scalable, low-latency alternative to GPS, ideal for any application where centimetre precision and reliability are critical.
Industry Solutions & Use-Cases
- Motorsport & Gaming: IRK turned Mallory Park (Leicestershire) into the world’s first fully-digitised IR sensors around the circuit track every car in real time, enforcing track limits to within 5 cm. The live data stream feeds 360° virtual camera views and even racing simulators (e.g. Assetto Corsa) so fans or gamers can “race against the actual cars on track”. This creates a real-time digital twin of the race (sub-50 ms latency) and unlocks new revenue streams: every lap becomes monetisable data for analytics, eSports, broadcast overlays or sponsorship.
- Defence & Aerospace: IRK’s core concept stems from military IR tracking. Its team includes former BAE/BAE Systems engineers who adapted Typhoon fighter IR sensors for civilian use. In practice, this means IRK’s network can guide drones or vehicles without relying on GPS or radios – critical in contested zones. For example, IRK is developing hockey‑puck sized IR landing beacons that allow centimetre‑accurate UAV supply drops (medevac or munitions) even amid heavy radio interference.
- Autonomous Logistics & Smart Roads: By placing IR beacons on lorries or cars and sensors on infrastructure (e.g. motorway lamp-posts), IRK envisions “autonomous lanes” on highways. In such a system, a truck could drive hands-free under strict supervision: the IRK network (like an air-traffic control) constantly tracks each vehicle’s position. The same idea enables seamless tolling: as vehicles enter a smart motorway lane, IRK+ANPR automatically identifies them (beacons signal vehicle type) and bills the owner – no booths required. This could support future road pricing models (e.g. EV usage charging) and greatly boost transport efficiency.
- Rail & Transit: IRK points out that “lights on every piece of rolling stock” can replace old block signalling, greatly increasing rail capacity. In urban transit and smart cities, similar IR networks could track buses, bikes or even pedestrians. For example, a city could build a “digital twin” of its traffic flow in real time, optimising lights and prioritising emergency vehicles while collecting usage fees automatically.
Core Technology & Patents
IRK’s system uses infrared beacons plus camera arrays instead of radio signals. Each vehicle or object is equipped with infrared LEDs (e.g. two on a car’s roof, three on a light van) whose positions are known from design specifications. Multiple IR cameras (on poles or existing infrastructure) detect these beacons. Because the scene is pre-mapped, IRK only needs to send the beacon coordinates – a tiny data packet – back to the control centre. This keeps network loads minimal (kilobytes per update) and latency at sub-50 ms. Unlike video cameras, IR sensors work day or night and ignore visual clutter.
IRK has patented the beacon configuration and data pipeline itself. Notably, CEO Gillian Switalski (an IP lawyer) confirms that IRK “has gone to great lengths to secure the IP”. For example, the company’s patent specifies standard emitter counts and placements for different vehicle classes. The hardware components are largely commodity (off-the-shelf cameras, PCs), but the unique integration yields a “revolutionary 3D tracking system”. In testing, this achieves a 90–100 Hz refresh rate– compared to 1 Hz for GPS – allowing a 200+ mph racing car (or motorway lorry) to be tracked continuously.
Partnerships & Endorsements
- Dell Technologies: Dell is IRK’s lead technology partner. Dell provides the edge and cloud compute infrastructure (rugged PCs, servers, NVIDIA GPUs etc.) that run the IRK platform. Dell’s UK blog notes that IRK’s solution “marry[ies] the real and virtual world” with Dell AI tech. IRK CEO Switalski praises Dell’s hardware and support as “absolutely superb” for hitting their goals. Importantly, Dell sees IRK as a general platform: it “believes the system can be scaled up to other applications” beyond motorsport.
- Roke Manor Research (BAE Systems): Roke Manor (a BAE affiliate) is collaborating on the IRK system. Former BAE engineers like Prof. Andrew Bradley (ex-Hawk and Typhoon projects) serve as IRK specialists, blending military-grade design with commercial sensors. This partnership lends IRK deep aerospace credibility.
- Industry Partners: Even before launch, IRK has drawn major motorsport and automotive interest. Partners or interested parties include McLaren, Toyota, Motorsport UK, NASCAR, Formula E and the FIA. Lord Alexander Hesketh (former F1 team boss) sits on IRK’s board and Pat Symonds (ex-Formula 1 technical director) has publicly championed the technology (e.g. on IRK’s video channels). This high-profile support underscores IRK’s potential in the racing community.
- Government & Defense: UK National Highways and defence firms have expressed interest in IRK. (The Racecar Engineering article notes UK government and highway authority interest.) Such backing suggests confidence in IRK for national transport and security use-cases.
Digital Twins & Business Impact
IRK enables ultra-low-latency digital twins of dynamic events. In one demo, live data from Mallory Park cars was streamed into a racing sim, allowing gamers to race against the real cars on track. This “mass participation” model could engage thousands of fans, each syncing in real-time with actual racing events. For teams and organizers, IRK turns race data into business value: every lap is fuel for betting platforms, fan analytics, simulation training and sponsorship. Unlike legacy GPS systems (a sunk cost), IRK’s network “creates revenue before, during, and after an event”.
The platform also offers safer, data-driven operations. Cars receive instant alerts on track limits or hazards from control rooms, reducing disputes and improving safety. Mixed-reality broadcasts can let a viewer select any car or viewpoint in real time – essentially “F1TV on steroids”. With Dell/NVIDIA infrastructure, IRK already demonstrates near-instantaneous data transfer – enabling ghost-car comparisons and real-time coaching overlays for drivers. In short, IRK’s low-latency IR network turns physical movements into actionable, monetisable intelligence, opening new business models in sports and beyond.
Media Coverage & Validation
IRK has gained strong industry attention. Leading publications have featured its story – e.g. a March 2025 Racecar Engineering article and an August 2025 Autosport feature highlight IRK’s capabilities. Motorsports luminaries (Hesketh, Symonds, ex-BAE engineers) and tech firms (Dell) have publicly endorsed it. The long R&D history (8+ years) and secured patents give it technical credibility. In parallel, formal pilots (e.g. the Mallory Park demo) and support from bodies like Motorsport UK and the FIA lend real-world validation. All this suggests IRK is more than a lab concept – it’s edging toward commercial deployment.
Future Directions & Societal Impact
- Drone Deliveries: IRK’s precision tracking can guide autonomous drones for commercial or emergency delivery. The planned IR “landing puck” would allow drones to touch down on GPS-free rooftops or balconies. IRK demonstrated that with a small beacon and code, a UAV can home in and land safely even in bad weather – a boon for parcel services and battlefield logistics.
- Urban Mobility & Road Charging: As electric vehicles spread and fuel taxes drop, IRK could underpin usage-based road pricing. In IRK’s vision, cars enter an IR-monitored motorway lane; the system instantly recognises the vehicle (via its emitters) and bills the owner without stops. Such integration of tracking with ANPR could future-proof transport funding and reduce congestion via dynamic pricing.
- Smart Logistics: Goods vehicles could move with “eyes-on” precision. For example, HGV drivers might legally rest on long motorways if an IRK system maintains safety via dual-tracking. Overall delivery efficiency could improve, shaving hours off supply chains.
- STEM & Innovation: By marrying real-world data with simulations, IRK creates engaging STEM learning tools. Students and engineers can experiment with live digital twins of physical systems, blurring lines between lab and life. Motorsport-based demos (like IRK’s) already draw tech savvy youth into engineering.
- Safety & Smart Cities: In the broader context, an IRK network could track emergency vehicles and pedestrians for collision avoidance and traffic optimisation. In disasters or search-and-rescue, ground or sea vehicles equipped with IRK tags could be located instantly. In all cases, IRK’s society-wide impact lies in making the world “fully digital, data-driven” – more responsive, efficient and safe.
Infrared Kinetics is a UK startup worth watching. Its infrared tracking platform delivers centimetre-accurate, ultra-low-latency data where GPS struggles. With high-profile backers and pilots complete (IRK’s site details their tech and demo videos), it’s poised to transform fields from racing to smart cities. For business leaders, IRK represents a new layer of precision sensing – unlocking innovations in fan engagement, autonomous transport, defence logistics and beyond.
