AB Dynamics, a supplier of automotive testing technologies, has developed new automation capabilities designed to enable OEMs and test houses to reduce the time and complexity of testing the latest ADAS protocols from Euro NCAP and NHTSA.
The latest update to AB Dynamics’ Track Applications Suite expands its ‘Special Groups’ library to include comprehensive automation for helping clients meet Euro NCAP’s new Heavy Vehicle ADAS test scenarios, and NHTSA’s FMVSS 127 standard (which stipulates that automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, must be standard on all passenger cars and light trucks in the US by September 2029).
The pre-defined test scenario library, available within the Robot Controller application, automates the creation, set-up, variation, execution and verification of industry-standard active safety protocols when combined with AB Dynamics’ driving robots, ADAS targets and other track test equipment.
“The introduction of new industry-standard test scenarios is good news for the continued improvement in road safety, but it does place a significant resource burden on OEMs and test houses,” stated Dr Andrew Pick, director of track testing at AB Dynamics. “Our latest Track Applications Suite update addresses these challenges by automating complex calculations and synchronisation tasks that would otherwise demand hours of manual preparation, improving the efficiency of testing for the industry.”
The Track Application Suite 2025a update adds 611 new test scenarios to the company’s Special Groups library. This includes 400 Euro NCAP Heavy Vehicle tests and 211 tests to support FMVSS 127. This brings the total number of pre-defined, automated active safety test scenarios in the Special Groups library, which also covers Euro NCAP, China NCAP, Japan NCAP, NHTSA EU and UN test protocols, to more than 3,100.
Reducing the complexity of ADAS testing
Euro NCAP’s new Heavy Vehicle ADAS test programme includes complex scenarios, such as the Heavy Goods Bicycle Nearside Turn Across Path (HBNTAP). The scenario requires the test vehicle to be driven at a consistent speed to a precise path that cuts across a bicycle target. The manoeuvrability of heavy vehicles, particularly when accelerating from a standstill, can be inconsistent.
Driving robots manage the whole process, so the driver only needs to accelerate the vehicle up to speed and then transfer control to the driving robots to conduct the test. AB Dynamics says that its Track Application Suite simplifies the synchronisation and ensures consistent repeatable results.
Euro NCAP’s Heavy Vehicle protocol also includes ‘sensitivity scenarios’, which aim to assess the robustness of a vehicle’s ADAS in more challenging, non-ideal situations to ensure they perform well in the real-world, not just in test conditions. These scenarios require accurate and precisely timed steering inputs before the vehicle’s AEB is activated. In the latest Special Groups, paths, steering inputs and timings are automatically calculated.
NHTSA’s FMVSS 127 regulation has the highest speed requirements in the industry (90mph). During testing, this presents a heightened risk of test vehicle or equipment damage. The use of software mitigates this risk by incorporating customisable abort procedures, which automatically stop tests when specific triggers are met, helping prevent or mitigate collisions.
FMVSS 127’s Forward Collision Warning tests require a precise brake application, with the timing tailored to each individual scenario. Setting this test up manually can be complex and time-consuming, and the Special Groups automate this process to streamline the test creation process.
Enhancing real-time analysis, efficiency and usability
AB Dynamics’ Post Processor software, integrated within the Track Applications Suite, provides real-time, trackside results within minutes of test completion. This immediate feedback confirms the test validity and results. This data enables test engineers to optimise test programmes and adjust sensor systems based on actual performance data whilst in the field.
Further enhancements include a new network-based system update feature that allows large fleets of AB Dynamics test equipment to be updated in bulk through the Track Applications Manager.
