VI-grade, a provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, has signed a strategic partnership with Meccanica 42, a provider of electronically controlled mechanical devices designed for on-road vehicles and advanced HiL driving simulators. The alliance consolidates VI-grade as an official reseller of Meccanica 42’s hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) and mechanical hardware-in-the-loop (mHiL) solutions and tools, enabling customers to accelerate their vehicle development processes.
Through this reseller agreement, VI-grade gains the direct distribution rights for Meccanica 42’s standard and custom HiL solutions, benefiting its customer base of automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and research centres.
Meccanica 42 will become a system integrator, leveraging the expertise of its team to integrate its HiL solutions with VI-grade simulators. This move is intended to ensure a smooth transition for customers into this new environment, with minimal impact on workflow. Another benefit of this partnership is the addition of Meccanica 42’s HiL test benches to VI-grade’s SimCenter facilities worldwide, ensuring their availability and accessibility at key global automotive hubs.
“We at VI-grade are thrilled to join forces with Meccanica 42 and serve as a reseller for their state-of-the-art HiL solutions, particularly in chassis, steering, brake, and camera rig applications”, commented Guido Bairati, managing director at VI-grade. “This partnership not only allows us to offer our valued customers a comprehensive product portfolio but also strengthens our position in the rapidly expanding HiL market driven by increasing electrification, growing vehicle complexity and the development of vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems.”
About Meccanica 42
Based in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy, Meccanica 42 specialises in the development, design and manufacture of mechanical HiL test benches that seamlessly integrate key vehicle components and related ECUs within a virtual simulation environment. Meccanica 42’s electronically controlled mechanical devices are specifically designed for on-road vehicles and advanced HiL driving simulators, and are typically installed in safety-critical systems.
These systems are fully compatible with VI-grade’s range of driving simulators via both direct and remote connections. This allows automotive engineers to carry out comprehensive, final hardware component validation tests within a safe space and under reliable conditions, from anywhere in the world. The benefits of providing a simulated environment where tests can be performed in a reliable, repeatable manner include obtaining better data in less time and at a lower cost. Development engineers can also be assured that the system being simulated is properly developed and pre-calibrated before it’s tested on a real vehicle.
Meccanica 42’s technologies consist of EPSiL (steering system), BrakeiL (braking system), together with WSE (Wheel speed Signals Emulator) and CamiL (camera setup), which can also be fully customised to meet the requirements of individual clients.
