As part of the InVADE project, the project partners IPG Automotive, MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik, KS Engineers and the project coordinator Technische Universität Graz developed an innovative test strategy that makes it possible to test automated driving functions more efficiently and realistically. To this end, a real electric vehicle was linked to a virtual environment. This connection is achieved by using the CarMaker simulation system from IPG Automotive and the Road-2-Rig test bench from KS Engineers. The vehicle can be controlled by either a human or machine driver, with all relevant data being exchanged and analysed in real time.
The innovation lies in the enormous closeness to reality, which is achieved through the real-time behaviour of all components, digitalisation of real routes, traffic flows and accident data as well as the validation and verification of the system.
An essential part of the project is the digitalisation of real routes, such as a section of the A2 motorway in Graz. These models are supplemented by traffic flow simulations that realistically represent the behaviour of the surrounding traffic. Critical traffic situations are integrated through stress tests based on analyses of accident data. This enables particularly precise validation of the automated systems.
The high degree of realism of the test bench, which is based on real-time data transmission and detailed simulation, creates a basis for defining standards and legal framework conditions for automated vehicles.
There are currently no standards or laws regulating the authorisation of automated vehicles. The aim is to increase the efficiency and safety of automated vehicles without having to carry out costly and time-consuming road tests. The possibility of carrying out realistic tests under controlled conditions also offers a considerable acceleration in the development of these technologies.
A detailed insight into the test concept is provided in the technical article „Vehicle-in-the-Loop on the test bench for automated driving“ (published in HANSER automotive 6/2024, pages 14 to 17) by the authors Assoc. Prof. Dr Arno Eichberger from the Institute of Automotive Engineering at Graz University of Technology, Henning Kemper from IPG Automotive, Vamsi Makkapati, Project Engineer at KS Engineers and Dr. Felix Pfister, Global Sales Strategy Manager at IPG Automotive. (oe)
