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TO ZERO PROTOTYPES


VI-grade is leading the charge in helping its customers simultaneously accelerate the development of their products and the pace of innovation.

How do we do this? By employing a unique human-centric approach to development that combines cutting-edge simulation software, driving simulators and HiL solutions that have proven results in the ultimate goal of achieving virtual sign-off.

Find out how VI-grade can help you win the Zero Prototypes Challenge!
 

ACCELERATING SOFTWARE-DEFINED VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT
 
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation, shifting from hardware-driven design to Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) that evolve through continuous updates.

At VI-grade, we empower this revolution by providing cutting-edge simulation and Digital Twin technology to accelerate vehicle development while optimizing both performance and user experience.

Traditional development methods are being replaced by agile, continuous software integration, ensuring vehicles remain adaptable long after production.

With our advanced virtual testing solutions, automakers can efficiently validate features such as ADAS, NVH, HMI and vehicle dynamics without relying on physical prototypes, leveraging key innovations in SDV development such as:

  • Digital Twin Technology – Test vehicle software in a virtual environment before building a single prototype.
  • Continuous Software Integration – Enable vehicles to evolve post-production through over-the-air updates.
  • DataDrive Approach – Merge data simulation with human feedback for a dynamic and realistic testing process.
  • Zero Prototypes Lab – Combine cloud simulations with real-time driver feedback for comprehensive validation.

One solution
for every need

Complete
workflow
Our simulators allow adding real-world elements to the environment, making them the most complete engineering tools. Hardware-in-the-Loop components such as real ECUs, radars, and cameras for ADAS applications can be also added to the simulation scenario, resulting in infinite, high-correlation possibilities.
Unique
architecture
Our dynamic simulators are based on a patented concept. The lower part moves on air pads with 3 main actuators or cables, providing a realistic driving experience with redundant movements. The upper part allows for fast response and high frequency, making them particularly suitable for ride & comfort studies.
Open
environment
VI-grade provides a complete set of software packages for our driving simulators, including VI-CarRealTime, VI-WorldSim, and VI-MotionCueing. Through our VI-Certified program, we support interfaces with all major real-time vehicle models, advanced tire models, traffic simulation software, and Hardware-In-the-Loop platforms.

2025 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits

ZPS2025, held May 13–15 at VI-grade’s SimCenter in Udine, brought together nearly 300 in-person and over 1200 online attendees to explore the future of simulation-driven vehicle development. The event featured technical sessions, live demos, and hands-on training, with 12 demo stations and almost 1000 sessions showcasing VI-grade’s latest technologies. On-demand content and interactive Q&As extend the experience online, reaffirming ZPS as a key event in the global shift toward Zero Prototypes.

The 2025 North American Zero Prototypes Day is a free, one-day event featuring live demos, hands-on software stations, and expert talks on simulation-driven vehicle development. Inspired by the ZPS summit in Italy, it offers a focused look at VI-grade technologies like DiM, AutoHawk, and VI-CarRealTime, with insights from industry leaders and opportunities for networking.

The 2025 Japan ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit in Tokyo showcases simulation-based vehicle development with case studies from Honda and SUBARU, live demos of VI-grade technologies, and expert networking. Free to attend with limited seats—registration required.

2025 Japan ZERO PROTOTYPES Summitは、東京・品川で開催。ホンダやSUBARUの事例紹介、VI-gradeのデモ、専門家との交流を通じて、バーチャル開発の最前線を体験できます。参加無料・要事前申込。

Applications

It’s all about fine tuning your chassis, developing the right balance, selecting the right tires, tuning the transmission, setting up seamless control systems, to achieve the best driver experience.
Design and engineer the sound of your vehicle to meet brand and customer expectations, before building the first prototype.
Test your algorithms and automatic systems in a safe and collaborative environment, to validate ADAS functions integrating software and hardware sensors.
Evaluate your HMI criteria with a real car cockpit and dashboard and develop new interfaces, in a controlled and easy-to-modify environment.
VI-grade driving simulators help put the driver in front of the toughest conditions, in the most realistic and safest way.

White Papers

Discusses Software-Defined Vehicles, focusing on hardware-software decoupling for rapid updates, digital twins for virtual testing, faster innovation, fewer prototypes, enhanced precision, and early feedback for customer satisfaction.
Examines the evolving role of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in automotive, addressing definitions, challenges, and trends, with a focus on simulation for enhancing the driving experience.
Modern vehicles with advanced electronics and sensors face development challenges due to third-party "black boxes" and CASE trends. Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) testing improves synchronization, ensuring integrated, faultless system performance.
Examines evolving NVH challenges in electric vehicles, highlighting unique noise issues and the role of driving simulators in meeting brand and customer expectations during early design stages.
Discusses how Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) mitigate driver distractions, explores ADAS complexity and engineering challenges, and emphasizes driving simulators' benefits in developing these technologies.
The white paper discusses how electric vehicles are reshaping car brand DNA, highlighting the need for updated Ride & Handling development processes, and the role of driving simulators in overcoming new challenges.

White Papers

Software-Defined Vehicles Human-Machine Interface Hardware-in-the-Loop Noise, Vibration and Harshness Autonomous and Assisted Driving Ride & Handling
Discusses Software-Defined Vehicles, focusing on hardware-software decoupling for rapid updates, digital twins for virtual testing, faster innovation, fewer prototypes, enhanced precision, and early feedback for customer satisfaction.
Examines the evolving role of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in automotive, addressing definitions, challenges, and trends, with a focus on simulation for enhancing the driving experience.
Modern vehicles with advanced electronics and sensors face development challenges due to third-party "black boxes" and CASE trends. Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) testing improves synchronization, ensuring integrated, faultless system performance.
Examines evolving NVH challenges in electric vehicles, highlighting unique noise issues and the role of driving simulators in meeting brand and customer expectations during early design stages.
Discusses how Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) mitigate driver distractions, explores ADAS complexity and engineering challenges, and emphasizes driving simulators' benefits in developing these technologies.
The white paper discusses how electric vehicles are reshaping car brand DNA, highlighting the need for updated Ride & Handling development processes, and the role of driving simulators in overcoming new challenges.

Case studies

Our software

The software that enables to maximize the full capability of your driving simulators with comprehensive component control.
A new, user-friendly, fully integrated graphic environment that accelerates vehicle development offline and on Driving Simulators.
A single vehicle model that can be used from concept to sign-off, enabling to accelerate your vehicle development process.
Bring your NVH data to life, fostering a comprehensive understanding of your vehicle's acoustic landscape.

Our software

VI-DriveSim VI-WorldSim VI-CarRealTime VI-NVHSim
The software that enables to maximize the full capability of your driving simulators with comprehensive component control.
A new, user-friendly, fully integrated graphic environment that accelerates vehicle development offline and on Driving Simulators.
A single vehicle model that can be used from concept to sign-off, enabling to accelerate your vehicle development process.
Bring your NVH data to life, fostering a comprehensive understanding of your vehicle's acoustic landscape.

In the media

16/04/2025
Treading New Ground
Source: Automotive Testing Technology International
31/03/2025
How drivers lose control: A simulation study
Source: SAE International
05/02/2025
Driving simulators for virtual validation
Source: Porsche Engineering web site

VIRTUAL FORMULA 2025 - TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE!

Our simulators

These are the entry-level driving simulators by VI-grade. They enable to test-drive your vehicle directly from your desk, validating their basic R&H and NVH behavior.
All main features of our driving simulators in a simple cockpit. A simulator for engineers to subjectively and quickly understand handling, ADAS and NVH vehicle behavior.
Built from a real car, our STATIC Simulators allows engineers and test drivers to work together in the development of new vehicle concepts. These simulators are suitable for ADAS, HMI and NVH evaluation.
 
Our actuator-driven family of dynamic simulators aimed to help virtually develop new cars in the lab. These multi-disciplinary tools ensure early, high-quality system integration in the development process.
The newest addition to the DiM family, it enables to go beyond the mechanical barriers of other simulator architectures. These simulators guarantee high adaptability and top-class performances.
Combining Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Model-in-the-Loop (MiL) testing with driving simulator technology accelerates getting to Zero Prototypes.

Our simulators

DESKTOP COMPACT STATIC MID-SIZE DYNAMIC FULL SCALE DYNAMIC XIL PLATFORM
These are the entry-level driving simulators by VI-grade. They enable to test-drive your vehicle directly from your desk, validating their basic R&H and NVH behavior.
All main features of our driving simulators in a simple cockpit. A simulator for engineers to subjectively and quickly understand handling, ADAS and NVH vehicle behavior.
Built from a real car, our STATIC Simulators allows engineers and test drivers to work together in the development of new vehicle concepts. These simulators are suitable for ADAS, HMI and NVH evaluation.
 
Our actuator-driven family of dynamic simulators aimed to help virtually develop new cars in the lab. These multi-disciplinary tools ensure early, high-quality system integration in the development process.
The newest addition to the DiM family, it enables to go beyond the mechanical barriers of other simulator architectures. These simulators guarantee high adaptability and top-class performances.
Combining Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL), Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Model-in-the-Loop (MiL) testing with driving simulator technology accelerates getting to Zero Prototypes.

News and events
https://www.vi-grade.com/en/