Roller test bench for highly automated vehicles

Automation and connectivity are shaping the mobility of the future. As the complexity within the mobility system increases, so does the need for realistic and flexible test environments that ensure the reliability of the systems.

State of the art

Existing test benches for the entire vehicle generally focus on the areas of driving dynamics, handling and emissions. In the field of automated driving, companies use both test drives on real roads and purely simulative tests. The former involve a great deal of effort and limited reproducibility, while the latter only have limited informative value due to their high level of abstraction.

Technology

The roller test bench for 2-axle vehicles with a wheelbase of up to 3.40 meters at the IPEK – Institute for Product Development at KIT offers a unique, modular platform for investigating automated driving functions and networked mobility solutions. In a high-fidelity environment simulation based on the Vehicle-in-the-Loop approach, these are tested on the test bench in a reproducible manner and independently of external influences. With the help of sensor stimulation, complex scenarios can be implemented on the test bench, while driving dynamics, noise generation and interactions with the environment are precisely recorded using state-of-the-art measurement technology. Different use cases can be realized by driving with automated steering, seat box or driving robot. Driving tests with steering forces are completely new and the researchers are currently working on their realization.

Advantages

The KIT roller test bench will open up new perspectives for the needs-based validation of assistance systems, automated driving functions and networked mobility solutions in the future. The reproducible tests in a controlled environment make it possible to drive technological developments forward efficiently and cost-effectively and reduce dependence on tests on the road. In addition, companies can integrate their own measurement systems and scenarios into the modular test bench to cover specific requirements.

Options for companies

Whether as a configurable environment for the optimization of driving functions or the simulation of complex traffic scenarios – the test bench offers a wide range of possible uses. The offer is aimed at manufacturing or supplying companies from the automotive industry or testing technology. The KIT is available for test orders and cooperations.