Ansys, IPG Automotive Accelerate Autonomous Vehicle Path-to-Market

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Ansys and IPG Automotive are collaborating to fast-track the creation, integration and validation of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) features and autonomous vehicles (AVs). Combining Ansys® VRXPERIENCE® with IPG Automotive’s CarMaker will empower joint customers to virtually verify and validate sensor design and performance, which will accelerate development and time-to-market.

To meet rigorous safety standards, automotive OEMs and suppliers must test complex interactions between ADAS features, like automatic emergency braking or an autonomous vehicle and its surrounding environment, traffic and weather across millions of scenarios. Physical road testing would require billions of miles of safety testing – which is extremely expensive and time-consuming. Only simulation can bring AVs to market in our lifetime, which is why OEMs depend on Ansys VRXPERIENCE to test, validate and virtually experience AV performance.

Integrated within VRXPERIENCE, CarMaker is an open test platform that can be applied throughout the entire development process. CarMaker includes a complete environment comprised of flexible models of intelligent drivers, detailed vehicles, roads and traffic. The event and maneuver-based testing method ensures that the flexibility and realistic execution of real-world test driving are also features of virtual test driving.

"Valeo is a world leader in ADAS, and simulation plays a key role in the design and validation of our products," said Joachim Mathes, chief technical officer of Valeo’s Comfort and Driving Assistant Business Group. "Valeo strongly encouraged Ansys and IPG Automotive's cooperation. The collaboration will allow us to accurately simulate the physical properties of our components in combination with real-time system behavior, including vehicle dynamics. This will help us to go even further in the verification and validation of new and innovative ADAS and AV features.”

VRXPERIENCE provides users with HMI (human machine interface) testing, physical sensor simulation, embedded software controls integration, headlamp simulation and links to simulation data management and systems safety analysis.

“As vehicle systems continue to become more complex, it is increasingly important that they are tested under realistic conditions,” said Martin Elbs, general manager, sales and business development at IPG Automotive. “Together with Ansys, we are helping automotive OEMs improve the safety and reliability of AVs and ADAS while reducing cost and time to market.”

“Our partnership with IPG Automotive will enable our mutual customers to use an industry-leading driving simulator seamlessly integrated into our VRXPERIENCE solution,” said Shane Emswiler, senior vice president of products at Ansys. “Through this partnership, we are providing mutual customers with the necessary technologies to improve and expedite ADAS and AV development and delivery, also leading to reduced accidents on the road thanks to improved safety measures.”