Abstract
Keywords: Virtual Test Drive, simulation, function, algorithm, virtual development, testing, KISS
Remarkable improvements in traffic safety can be archived with upcoming driver assistance systems which alert the driver in case of dangerous situations and take corrective actions in the driving dynamic of the vehicle. The objective of these systems is to avoid an accident or at least reduce the accident severity.
A challenge for development engineers is to prove the reliability of the driver assistance systems in a huge number of traffic situations with varying environmental conditions. Due to the high risk of testing dangerous situations in real world and the complexity of the job, new development methods have to be established. A very effective method to design and test robust active safety systems is the intensive and continuous use of closed loop computer simulations.
Audi and Volkswagen are developing a modular computer simulation system called ,,Virtual Test Drive". The aim of "Virtual Test Drive " is to support the design, development and testing of new active safety systems. The simulations operate in a closed loop mode to investigate the interactions of
- vehicle driving dynamics
- vehicle sensor systems
- vehicle actuating elements
- assistance systems
- drivers response
- the environment (weather, street conditions, traffic situation, ...)
Through stochastic variation of important parameters like weather, lighting conditions, velocity etc. tests can cover much more of the parameter space compared to real world tests. Additionally, the performance, the robustness and the limits of the complete system can be evaluated on a statistical basis (for example the trade-off between use- and misusefunctionality) because of the high number of cases obtained with the simulation system.
With "Virtual Test Drive" dangerous situations can be tested under defined and repeatable conditions. In combination with the "KISS" (Key competence Integrative Safety Systems of Audi and Volkswagen) development environment the data archived with "Virtual Test Drive" is used to generate high performance functional reference applications. These applications help to design and approve action concepts, to assure the function of the assistance systems, and to define important test cases for real world tests.