This year, the Széchenyi István University was again a participant at Hungary’s largest sports conference, Sport Forum Hungary. The institution has many links to mobility through its engineering courses, its technology innovations for sustainability, and its ever encompassing research and development activities. The Forum presented sport-related aspects of the growing technology field, including university’s research and innovations that are relevant to professional and amateur sports alike.
Sport Forum Hungary is Hungary’s leading sports conference, bringing together key players in the world of sport. This year’s event brought together speakers, athletes, sports leaders, and renowned experts to discuss the current and future impact of sustainability, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and internationalisation on sport.
The focus of the Széchenyi István University is also on sustainability, as well as the institution being linked to artificial intelligence and digitalisation innovative developments through a number of research projects. The university also pays special attention to sport, providing students with the opportunity not only to exercise while learning and enjoy a healthy lifestyle, but also to support competitive athletes with dual careers opportunities in both sports and technology.
In addition to the e-sport department of the Széchenyi István University Sports Association (SZESE), the activities of the SZEnergy Team, a multiple world record holder in the development of low emission vehicle development such as EV’s, and the European top-ranked Arrabona Racing Team, which competes in the Formula Student series, are good examples of the links between sport and modern technologies.
The institution also participated as an exhibitor in the 2023 Sport Forum Hungary program, where visitors could learn about e-sport and try out car racing simulators for themselves.
Dr. Ákos Kovács, Assistant Professor at the Department of Telecommunications of the University, Digital Development Centre, represented the institution at the conference and gave an insight into the world of technical and virtual sports, as well as the integration of modern technology into sports.
“We also discussed the future of motorsport in a round-table discussion led by Zoltán Szujó, President of the Hungarian Motor Sport Association, with the participation of Gábor Talmácsi, world champion in high-speed motorcycling and former student and former lecturer at the University, and Norbert Michelisz, world touring car champion.
Together they discussed how modern technologies such as self-driving systems and artificial intelligence are influencing technical sports. For example, we know that from 2026 onwards, Formula 1 will allow cars to communicate with each other, which will, among other things, improve safety.”
– pointed out Mr Zoltán Szujó.
In his lecture, Dr. Ákos Kovács, the assistant professor, presented the relationship between e-sport and motorsport.
“Research shows that only 14% of Formula 1 spectators are under 25 years old. Professionals therefore want to make motorsport more attractive to young people, in which digitalisation and the virtual world can play a major role. Our “Driver 21″ project involves installing a special device in racing cars that continuously and precisely determines the position of the vehicle. This will allow the e-gamer sitting at the simulator to actually compete with the driver on the real track.”
– he explained. He went on to further say that sensors were installed in five cars at the WHB Győr Rally in September, allowing them to be driven and tested in a virtual racing environment. This technology was also demonstrated at the Sport Forum Hungary.
The Széchenyi István University lecturer said that the institution is conducting a wide range of research in the field of mobility, including autonomous systems and electromobility.
“The university also places special emphasis on talent identification and talent management. Several programs under the umbrella of Széchenyi Motorsport serve this purpose. Technology and sport will become increasingly intertwined in the future, and our institution is playing an important role in this development.”
– concluded the lecturer.