Ansible Motion, a specialist in Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulation, has formalised a long-standing relationship with Mdynamix, a specialist in real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) solutions, to enhance the development of steering, braking and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
The companies are working to enable engineers to experience and evaluate representative vehicle systems early and often during the development process by combining real, deployable hardware and software with virtual vehicle assessment capabilities.
This agreement comes at a time when Ansible Motion is experiencing what it says is “unprecedented demand” for its driving simulators, from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers across China, Korea, the USA and Europe. DIL simulators enable time-constrained engineers to explore new ways to define, refine and validate vehicle features early in the development cycle – before physical prototypes are required.
This efficiency is aided by seamless workflows across traditional simulation environments – such as Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Model-in-the-Loop (MIL), advanced HIL and DIL simulations – all the way through to physical vehicle testing.
A main focus of the collaboration with MdynamiX is to address a growing need for engineers to experience and calibrate real steering and braking systems without access to physical vehicles. “Prototype vehicles often arrive too late in a development programme, or with restrictive scheduling constraints that limit the time available for fine-tuning the attributes that are crucial to establishing brand identities,” explained Dan Clark, managing director of Ansible Motion.
“With MdynamiX, we have found an experienced partner whose HIL solutions can be seamlessly integrated with our DIL simulators. We have the largest installation base of dynamic DIL simulators across the globe, which gives us a unique perspective on applications, use cases and customer requirements. By utilising our in-house, real-time integration capabilities, along with MdynamiX’s expertise in HIL systems, we are creating an expanded set of digital product development tools.”
MdynamiX’s steering and wet braking solutions offer dynamic real-time HIL capabilities that can be seamlessly integrated into Ansible Motion’s DIL simulator environments. The realistic feedback resulting from the integration of real components and control software provides development and test engineers with an accurate simulation environment, one in which they can potentially undertake subjective and objective evaluations of complete vehicles.
This virtual workshop also facilitates the preliminary calibration and implementation of Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) systems in a human-centric manner.
Professor Bernhard Schick, CEO of MdynamiX, stated: “We will contribute our methodological expertise in end-to-end MIL/SIL/HIL simulation and test driving on the driving simulator, especially in the areas of steering, chassis, vehicle dynamics, comfort, ADAS/AD and UX/HMI. As a specialist in steering feel, we know how important good steering feel in the driving simulator is for acceptance and good results.
“With our end-to-end MIL/SIL/HIL solutions, we create the world’s best steering feel, taking Ansible Motion’s driving simulators to a new level. Especially when classical MIL/SIL/HIL simulation reaches its limits and the subjective impression and tuning competence of the test driver is the next step, the driving simulator with real components generates a significant advantage. The result is earlier, better decisions and faster development.”
