• Getting stuck at car park gantry due to insufficient funds (and you have to search desperately for a top-up machine)
• Car park gantry reader cranky / not working properly 
• Car park gantry reader reads your car In-Vehicle Unit (IU) but doesn’t want to “talk/connect” and deduct your money
• Cash card spoilt 
• Cash card expired
• You need to have two different generations of cash cards in your vehicle
• Car IU spoilt 
• You have to step out of your vehicle, take out your cash card and insert your cash card into gantry machine 
• You have to step out of your vehicle, take out your cash card and tap your cash card at the gantry 

Don’t you wish that is a motoring app (and also an All-In-One motoring app) to resolve those parking pains above? With the launch of the AXS Drive app – Motorists in Singapore can now Drive and Park Smarter. In a short summary, AXS Drive links your credit card to your car license plate and IU number that would enable automatic deductions when the vehicle exits the car park.

Writing with my motoring enthusiast thinking caps on, I recalled my earlier driving experiences (when I still have a family car to drive) a few years back. There were a number of occasions (in some industrial estates in Singapore), I had to step out of the car and insert my cash card into the gantry machine for the parking payment to be deducted before I can drive away. I was wondering why doesn’t the car park operators, the parking gantry setup and the car IU setup talk and work together? 

At the media launch of the AXS Drive app on 17th July 2024, this service can be used at 12 car parks. Currently, 55 commercial car parks are already on-board and will progressively come on live with the AXS Drive. During a live demonstration of the AXS Drive app in action at Downtown East during the media launch event, we can see the ease and breeze for drivers leaving the car park, all thanks to AXS Drive app.

AXS Drive is more than just a parking app, they are an ecosystem for motorists, an All-In-One  motoring app, they also have value-added features and integration of services for car park operators that would eventually benefit us motorists. While AXS Drive is starting off in the parking for commercial spaces, shopping malls and offices, I am looking forward to their expansion into HDB car parks down the road. You can read more in-depth about launch of AXS Drive on my TGH Technology and Business website. 

Even though I don’t own a car and my family doesn’t have a family car as of now, I am going to download the AXS Drive app. If I do get to use one of those car sharing service or car rental service, I can use the AXS Drive app. 

With AXS Drive, now only you can now drive and park smarter, this app future growth and development is of great potential to transform into an All-In-One super app for everything motoring related in Singapore. As a motorist (that currently doesn’t own a car), AXS Drive has the technological and payments capabilities, and as a platform to bring different organisations in the motoring sector to come together on one common platform for motorists in Singapore. 

The post AXS Drive – Drive and Park Smarter in Singapore appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

As a F1 and motorsports fan, also a sports/motorsports photographer myself, I love watching F1 motorsports racing action on television. For my hometown Singapore GP, my last attendance was in 2015, after a few years gap, I am back enjoying F1 racing in town for Singapore GP 2023. I am also a technology geek/writer myself (check out my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog), I am also amazed by the technology setup behind the scenes powering F1 action on the ground, on broadcast channels, media outlets and on social media platforms.

Thanks to Lenovo Singapore hosting a media session on Friday 15th September 2023, I get to know more in-depth about Formula 1 x Lenovo Technology – Bringing F1 fans on a thrilling ride beyond the grandstand. Listening first hand and understanding how Lenovo Technology is powering F1, from Pete Samara, Director of Strategic Technical Ventures, Formula 1, Ken Wong, Executive VP and President, Solutions and Services Group, Lenovo, and Sumir Bhatia, President of Asia Pacific, Infrastructure Solutions Group, I couldn’t ask for more, from a F1 fan, a motorsports photographer, and a technology writer/geek myself!

Lenovo – One of the official technology partners of F1

In 2022, Lenovo as announced as one of the official technology partners of F1 in a multi-year partnership starting in 2022, which saw Lenovo’s cutting-edge technology used across F1 operations to bring the highest level of racing experience to a global fanbase and broadcast material that gets used by media outlets in more than 170 terrorises worldwide.

“In the highly competitive world of motor racing, technology plays an increasingly crucial role. Lenovo is providing us with its industry-leading technology and solutions, helping us to define new operating models to shape a faster, smarter, and more sustainable sport”, commented Pete Samara, Director of Strategic Technical Ventures at Formula 1. “We need to have military levels of control but also be extremely flexible in bringing in new and cutting-edge technology and production developments. Lenovo is helping us to incorporate innovative technologies into a 100% reliable, repeatable, and efficient operation whilst still accommodating continuous improvement.”

“At Lenovo, we are constantly focused on creating innovative technologies that allow for elevated experiences on all spectrums, all around the world. Lenovo’s transformation from a hardware company to a provider of end-to-end technology solutions and services has allowed businesses worldwide to harness the full power of technology”, said Ken Wong Executive VP and President, Solutions and Services Group, Lenovo. “The full power of Lenovo’s wide range of hardware and software, and professional support and services for Formula 1 will be on display at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend, supporting its operations all the way from HQ to the track. As Formula 1 synchronizes a million and one moving pieces to create an exhilarating experience, we’re proud to ride along as an Official Partner.”

Millions of data points stored to capture the best broadcast

When you are watching F1 motorsports action from your television, technology gadgets, on social media/internet, do you notice the huge volume of data that F1 generates with each individual car generating millions of datapoint across all races. 

Therefore, you would need powerful, stable and reliable technology across the board to handle all that heavy requirements. Lenovo Technology has the servers, storage, edge, and device solutions to help F1 teams capture millions of data points that are then transformed into actionable insights. 

For those watching the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023 will bring a deluge of data and insights on G-force numbers, steering angles, brake impact, throttle push, and all the audio and video from the cameras and microphones. Lenovo servers and edge devices collecting all that data will put it right back into the hands of the broadcast team instantly.

At the Formula 1 Media & Technology Centre in Biggin Hill, UK and at the onsite Event Technical Centre which are powered by Lenovo technology, including laptops and desktop devices, workstations, monitors, tablets and Motorola smartphones, the broadcasting team transforms all track-generated data, in real time, into an exciting experience as on-screen graphics and footage for hundreds of millions of fans and viewers.

Over 600 Formula 1 employees from executives to track-side operational engineers are equipped with a resilient slew of devices and digital workplace solutions that works reliably whichever part of the world or climate conditions they are in.

Racing towards a sustainable future 

The topic of sustainability is definitely on the agenda of Formula 1, they are making changes, actions and efforts on this area. The FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2023 will also witness Formula 1’s consistent efforts to improve sustainability in motorsports. 

Contributing from one race to another, Lenovo’s Asset Recovery Services help the organization develop and implement a sustainable disposal strategy for hardware. Through Lenovo’s asset recovery services, Formula 1 has been able to offset some of the cost of a technology refresh as well as guarantee secure and reliable data destruction.

Singapore GP is also playing its own vital role in F1 consistent efforts to improve sustainability in motorsports. Check out two local Singapore creative artists, House of VSE/Very Small Exhibition and It Takes Balls, their artworks on display at Singapore GP 2023, part of Singapore GP sustainability drive #SGPDrivesChange. 

Formula 1 x Lenovo Technology

As you are watching F1 action in Singapore this weekend (and upcoming F1 races), live in person at Marina Bay Circuit, or from the television from the comfort of your home, in different parts of the world. Do take the time to ponder on how Lenovo Technology is helping to power F1 action on your screens and social media, bringing you on a thrilling, high octane, adrenaline packed racing ride beyond the grandstand. 

Alright, it’s time let’s go for F1 action, have a great Singapore GP 2023 race day! 

* Information courtesy of Lenovo and Zeno Group *

** A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production ** 

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