Engineering

Virtual Vehicle Development

Fully. Virtual.

Virtualization is a key enabler for the fast transition from component-oriented to functional-oriented vehicle development.

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Traditionally, vehicle development was strictly component-oriented, where concept decision and vehicle verification and validation relied on physical hardware prototypes. Current trends, such as electrification, digitization, connectivity, and driver assistance are demanding new development approaches to handle these complexities. 

The automotive industry is rapidly moving towards functional-oriented development, with a strong emphasis on the software-defined vehicle in development activities.

These major trends require changes to be made not only to OEM organizational structures and engineering roles, but also to the tools and methodologies utilized in virtualizing the vehicle development process.

With so many options available for vehicle configurations, OEMs face major challenges when it comes to efficient product development. This is due to the combination of several components of the vehicle systems chassis, body, propulsion system, thermal system, and ADAS/AD, their technical characteristics and complex interrelationships, and the multitude of customer requirements.

OEMs must answer the following questions:

  • What are the consumer demands on the vehicles of today and tomorrow?
  • How do these demands affect the design of vehicle systems (e.g. propulsion system, chassis, thermal management) and their design parameters (topology selection, component characteristics, additional vehicle functions, etc.)?
VSM Vehicle Concept Definition

Setting Up Models

System simulation engineers may spend up to 60 % of their working time setting up validated vehicle models.

Ensuring Model Validity and Accuracy Quality

Some procedures must be conducted manually, e.g. correlating simulation results with measurement data and comparing characteristic behaviors. Time- and cost-intensive component measurements may be necessary to achieve the required accuracy quality at vehicle level.

Integrated and Connected Virtual Prototype

Connecting cross-domain functional development domains to achieve a global optimum.

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Maximizing the degree of virtualization by applying validated virtual prototypes and robust and SOP-proven methodologies along the development process:

  • Cross-domain vehicle system simulation solutions (functional, thermal, mechanical, geometrical, E/E)
  • Entire scope of computer-aided vehicle simulation, including vehicle energy management, driving performance towards aerodynamics, thermal and E/E, NVH, crash, durability, and corrosion and tightness
  • Early virtual prototypes in the driving simulator
  • AVL VSM™ and AVL vSUITE™ empower complete vehicle optimization by balancing energy management, range, driving attributes, and thermal aspects
  • Modularity and real-time capability for seamless usage from concept to testing
  • Vehicle system simulation as part of our MBSE-based vehicle development process

One independent partner covering all aspects of the virtualization of your vehicle development process in terms of vehicle simulation services, methodologies, project support, and tools.

All Systems Covered

Cross-domain vehicle simulation solutions covering 10+ vehicle attributes and all vehicle systems (body, propulsion system, chassis, thermal, E/E).

300+ Validated Models

Access to more than 300 validated vehicle models based on the Vehicle Model Factory solution.

High-Speed Cloud Simulation

Ultra-fast vehicle concept phases using cloud simulation (> 10 M km per day).

Single Source

One partner for simulation services, methodologies, project support, and tools.

The wide variety of possible technology configurations and functions, subsystems, and component characteristics makes it challenging to determine the vehicle configuration that best meets the defined vehicle target requirements.

Vehicle Concept Definition

Vehicle system simulation is one of the key solutions used in the feasibility and concept phase to enable the vehicle configuration to be identified as quickly as possible.

The solution empowers complete vehicle optimization by balancing energy management, range, driving attributes, and thermal aspects, while also considering geometrical and vehicle architecture properties and structural demands.

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Model-Based Vehicle Control Calibration and Testing

The increased numbers of vehicle functions and features lead to a strong virtualization of the entire development of functions (requirement engineering, system design, development, calibration, testing, and validation). AVL’s tools and methods enable efficient and robust model-based development of vehicle functions.

Validated Competitor Vehicle Models

Using benchmark data from AVL’s database — which includes on-road measurement data for more than 300 vehicles from the global market — allows for significantly reduced lead times and costs.

Ultimately, this saves up to 60 % of vehicle model setup and validation time with AVL’s unique Vehicle Model Factory approach.

Driving Simulator Test Sessions

Experience your new vehicle concept or vehicle functions before real hardware prototype vehicles are available. Utilize the AVL driving simulator facility to test drive your innovations before the rubber meets the road.

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Related Topics

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Through our comprehensive AVL Global Vehicle Benchmarking program, you will gain in-depth understanding of the latest trends in vehicle development. Our standardized testing procedures, assessment and evaluation methodology, as well as the related metrics and KPIs provide you with a detailed technical analysis of your competitors’ vehicles.

VSM Chassis Control
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For a successful start of  production. At AVL we have in-depth understanding of product-defining components and systems. This is one of the reasons why our strengths include coordinating complete vehicle functions and goals in an ideal way, while also incorporating the optimum technologies.

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Thermal Management and HVAC

It is not just passengers who have a “comfort zone”, the components do as well. At AVL we develop components and systems, and integrate them into the vehicle. We provide the optimal control strategy for efficient thermal management – from the initial concept to the SOP.

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Whether passenger cars or commercial vehicles – we factor in existing and new technologies as we bring your individual requirements in line with end user expectations. Our focus is on virtual and functional vehicle development, as well as integration of the vehicle systems into the vehicle. 

Moving steadily into the future: Find out what’s brand new in the field of virtual vehicle development. 

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