Udine, Italy, April 24th, 2024 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the final agenda for its highly anticipated 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, to be held on May 14-16, 2024, at VI-grade’s SimCenter in Udine, Italy. 

The event will kick off with opening remarks from VI-grade Managing Director Guido Bairati and Ben Bryson, President of HBK, followed by a keynote presentation by Jonas Grötzinger, Senior Expert and Head of the EDAG Zero Prototype Lab. This portion of the event will be livestreamed by official media partner SAE Media Group, a subsidiary of SAE International. Through this exclusive broadcast, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between VI-grade and SAE, the North American automotive engineering community will have an unprecedented opportunity to participate live in the kick-off event.

Those interested in participating in the live-stream kick-off and keynote presentation can register free-of-charge through the following link.  

For those unable to attend the ZPS Summit in person, additional portions of the event will be live streamed on LinkedIn. Details to be shared soon on the VI-grade website and LinkedIn.

With over 20 high-level technical presentations to select from, the Summit promises exclusive insights into how VI-grade’s simulation software, driving simulators, and Hardware-in-the-Loop technology are revolutionizing the automotive development landscape. Specifically curated high-level keynote and technical presentations will feature representatives from Applus+ IDIADA, Automobili Lamborghini, Bugatti Rimac / RSengineering, Bentley, EDAG Group, Goodyear, Honda R&D Europe, HORIBA MIRA / Giti Tire, Hitachi Astemo, Mahindra & Mahindra, MegaRide / Meccanica 42, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz, Multimatic and Politecnico di Milano. The official summit program is also available for download at https://www2.news.vi-grade.com/ZPS2024_Official_Program. 

Two additional high-profile presentations are being finalized and will be revealed shortly before the summit.

New in 2024: Interactive Podium Discussions
For the first time, VI-grade will introduce a series of compelling podium discussions, bringing together experts and automotive thought leaders for insightful conversations about their adoption of the Zero Prototypes vision. The following topics will be covered: 

1. The Future of Customer Experience in Automotive Technology featuring experts from Applus+ IDIADA, Automobili Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and Virtual Vehicle Research Institute 
2. Building Synergies Between Automotive OEMs and Suppliers featuring experts from Bosch, Brembo, Ferrari, Goodyear and HTW Berlin 
3. Advancing ADAS through Driving Simulator Calibration featuring experts from Automobili Lamborghini, Ford Germany and Porsche Engineering

Hands-On Technical Sessions and User Groups: 
Attendees can participate in a series of demo sessions for specific automotive applications to experience first-hand the value of VI-grade's advanced simulation tools in the development process. On May 17th, VI-grade will host complimentary user group sessions for its driving simulator and NVH customers, providing an opportunity to interact directly with product development teams. 

In addition, VI-grade is convening the motorcycle community at the ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit on May 14th with a dedicated user group session focused on VI-Motorcycle, the specialized simulation environment for motorcycle design and testing.

“We are excited to bring together such an impressive cadre of global simulation thought leaders at our 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “This year’s program promises to be our most comprehensive yet and we look forward to showcasing the innovative ways in which our customers are using simulation to accelerate vehicle development and reduce the need for physical prototypes.”

VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit:

• Diamond: EDAG Group 
• Platinum: Applus+ IDIADA, HORIBA MIRA, Meccanica 42, MegaRide, SAGInoMIYA
• Gold: Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, cosin scientific software, Dassault Systèmes, exemplar, HBK, MdynamiX, Moog, Multimatic Inc., Stackpole Engineering 
• Silver: 3D Mapping Solutions, Fraunhofer ITWM, project syntropy, Rohde & Schwarz, Smart Eye, STEP Lab
• Bronze: BE CAE & Test, JEDAi, rFpro, Screenline 
• Media Partners: ATZ, Automotive Testing Technology International, SAE Media Group Vehicle Dynamics International

Sponsors will be present in the exhibition area where they’ll showcase their technologies and solutions.

Registration for the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit is open at this link. Discounts for multiple attendees from the same organization, universities etc. are available upon request. Additional details about the event will be added to the VI-grade website as they become available.
 

Darmstadt, Germany, April 18, 2024 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, and MdynamiX, a leading provider of ADAS, vehicle dynamics, NVH methods and test benches, today announced their strategic partnership. This new alliance consolidates VI-grade as an official reseller of MdynamiX’s innovative hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) solutions compatible with all VI-grade driving simulators and AutoHawk HiL platforms. Customers worldwide will have access to MdynamiX’s cutting-edge HiL rigs, conveniently located in VI-grade’s SimCenters for firsthand experience and testing.

Key Offerings:

VI-grade will offer the following MdynamiX solutions:

• MXsteerHiL and MXsteerLink – a dynamic, real-time HiL test bench for Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Steer-by-Wire SbW system providing flexibility from the laboratory to the simulator. This modular construction kit enables the evaluation and calibration of steering systems and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in the early stages of development.
• MXbrakeHiL and MXbrakeLink – an advanced brake system test bench tailored for electric and automated vehicles. This versatile test bench, compatible with various real-time systems, is optimized for model-based development of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and advanced safety functions. By integrating the full hydraulic/electromechanical/electric brake system into the real-time environment, from the pedal to the brake calipers, MXbrakeHiL simplifies development and validation tasks across all technology readiness levels.

“Building upon our long-standing collaboration with MdynamiX as a trusted software partner, particularly in using the advanced MdynamiX steering model in our VI-CarRealTime software, we want to expand our portfolio with their well-established Hardware-in-the-Loop offering. MdynamiX is a recognized expert in automotive steering system modeling, and we are excited to bring their technology to our SimCenters worldwide. This integration allows our customers to experience real steering feel on VI-grade simulators and to calibrate and tune EPS controllers long before they go to the physical proving ground.”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. 

"We are thrilled to enter into this strategic partnership with VI-grade, uniting our expertise in cutting-edge HiL solutions with their world-class simulation environments. Having collaborated for over a decade in the areas of elastomer / hydromount and steering system models, this formal alliance is a natural progression of our relationship. It’s not just about enhancing our product offerings; it’s a commitment to pioneering the future of automotive development together. We look forward to driving innovation and delivering exceptional value to our customers worldwide through this synergistic partnership.", added Peter Pfeffer, CEO at MdynamiX. 

MdynamiX will participate as a GOLD sponsor in VI-grade’s ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, to be held on May 14-16, at SimCenter Udine. 

Darmstadt, Germany, April 4th , 2024 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced that Alpine Cars, the renowned French sports car manufacturer, has recently invested in VI-grade’s STATIC Simulator and the newly introduced COMPACT Full-Spectrum Simulator. The primary focus of this investment by Alpine's road car division is to accelerate the development of vehicle dynamics for their forthcoming models while preserving the distinctive features of their brand.

Alpine has selected VI-grade's STATIC Simulator, a professional solution delivering an immersive and realistic driving experience, to develop comprehensive multi-body vehicle models with potential expansion to cover NVH and HMI aspects in the future. The STATIC Simulator's capability to be upgraded to a DYNAMIC Simulator at a later stage and its multi-disciplinary functionalities played a key role in Alpine Cars' decision-making process.

Simultaneously, Alpine Cars has also invested in VI-grade's latest innovation, the COMPACT FSS Simulator, which provides highly accurate motion, vibration, and sound in a small footprint. This simulator will be instrumental in creating virtual prototypes of Alpine's new Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). Leveraging the digital twin of the Alpine Eternity concept car, the COMPACT FSS Simulator facilitates a comprehensive assessment of next-generation Alpine BEVs in motion, vibration, and sound. This approach significantly reduces reliance on physical prototypes, contributing to efficiency in evaluating vehicle parameters, NVH development, and overall performance, aligning with Alpine's ambitious plans for their sporty BEV platform. The COMPACT FSS Simulator to be integrated by Alpine also includes both the full VI-NVHSim and the VI-DriveSim software suite.

Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine Cars, highlights the importance of virtual testing and driving simulators in achieving the "zero prototypes" vision, stated: "We are fully aligned with the Zero Prototypes vision of fully validating cars thanks to simulation software, driving simulators, and Hardware in the loop to ensure performance and safety. Putting the driver in the loop is crucial, as some performances are closely tied to driver feeling, but virtual testing before road testing is essential to save time, money, and produce a superior product."

“I am excited to announce the adoption of our STATIC and COMPACT Full-Spectrum Simulator at Alpine Cars”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. "Our advanced simulators will enhance Alpine's vehicle development processes by providing scalability, multi-disciplinary capabilities, and a path to the future of automotive simulation. This partnership exemplifies VI-grade's commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enable our customers to achieve new heights in efficiency, quality, and development time."

You can watch the complete video conversation between Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine Cars and Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade available at this link.
 

Novi (MI), USA, March 20^th, 2024 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the inaugural North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Demo Day, set to take place at the state-of-the-art Multimatic SimCenter in Novi, Michigan, on April 18th, 2024. This exclusive, free-of-charge Open House event is a rare opportunity for both existing customers and industry prospects to engage with the latest advancements in simulation, driving simulators, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) technologies.

Attendees will immerse themselves in a dynamic series of live demonstrations tailored to specific automotive applications, providing firsthand insight into the transformative power of VI-grade's advanced simulation tools in optimizing the vehicle development process.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of demo stations, including:

• Test Drive our brand-new Full-Spectrum (FSS) Simulator for Ride Comfort Studies
• Experience Mixed-Reality for HMI studies on a STATIC Simulator
• Evaluate NVH performance with VI-NVHSim on a DESKTOP Simulator
• See VI-grade’s large DiM250 DYANMIC Simulator in action for high-performance Ride & Handling applications
• Build, tune, and validate real-time vehicle models and ADAS scenarios and sensors with VI-CarRealTime and VI-WorldSim
• Test integrated Hardware-in-the-Loop systems with AutoHawk
• And much more!

Throughout the day, VI-grade's team of technical specialists will be on hand to answer questions, offer expert insights, and provide personalized guidance.

"I am excited to announce the 2024 North American Demo Day and welcome the automotive community to our SimCenter Detroit for this exceptional event," commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. "This ZERO PROTOTYPES Demo Day is a prime opportunity to experience our tools live and in action, engage with our technical experts and embark on the journey towards Zero Prototypes.”

Registration for the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Demo Day is free-of-charge and now open. Secure your spot today at this link.

Darmstadt, Germany, March 6th, 2024 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the preliminary roster of speakers and sponsors for its 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, to be held on May 14-16, 2024, at VI-grade’s SimCenter in Udine, Italy. 

Tailored to the global automotive development community, the summit promises exclusive insights into how VI-grade’s simulation software, driving simulators, and Hardware-in-the-Loop technology are revolutionizing the automotive development landscape. Specifically curated high-level keynote and technical presentations will feature representatives from Applus+ IDIADA, Bugatti Rimac / RSengineering, EDAG Group, Honda R&D, HORIBA MIRA, Mercedes AMG and Multimatic Inc. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. 

New in 2024: Interactive Podium Discussions:
VI-grade will debut a series of compelling podium discussions, bringing together experts and automotive thought leaders for insightful conversations about their adoption of the Zero Prototypes vision. Topics to be discussed include: 

1. The Future of the Customer Experience in Automotive Technology
2. Building Synergies Between Automotive OEMs and Suppliers
3. Advancing ADAS through Driving Simulator Calibration

Hands-On Technical Sessions and User Groups: 
Attendees are invited to participate in a series of demo sessions for specific automotive applications to experience first-hand the value VI-grade's advanced simulation tools  bring to the development process.

On May 17, VI-grade will host complimentary user group sessions for its driving simulator and NVH customers, providing an opportunity to interact directly with product development teams. In addition, VI-grade is convening the motorcycle community at the ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit on May 14th with a dedicated user group session focused on VI-Motorcycle, the dedicated simulation environment specifically for motorcycle design and testing.

VI-grade is also proud to announce strategic media partnerships with renowned publishers including ATZ, Automotive Testing Technology International, SAE Media Group and Vehicle Dynamics International, which will amplify the event's reach and impact.

“We are excited to unveil the first lineup of speakers and sponsors for our highly anticipated 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “These presentations will provide our valued customers, partners and followers with exclusive insights into how key players in the global automotive industry are currently using VI-grade’s cutting-edge simulation and driving simulators to accelerate the development of new vehicles, thus bringing them ever closer to virtual sign-off.”

VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit:

• Diamond: EDAG Group 
• Platinum: Applus+ IDIADA, HORIBA MIRA, Meccanica 42, MegaRide, SAGInoMIYA
• Gold: Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, cosin scientific software, HBK, MdynamiX, Moog, Multimatic Inc., Stackpole Engineering 
• Silver: 3D Mapping Solutions, Fraunhofer ITWM, project syntropy, Smart Eye, STEP Lab
• Bronze: BE CAE & Test, JEDAi, rFpro, Screenline 

Sponsors will be present in the exhibition area where they’ll showcase their technologies and solutions.

Registration for the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit is open at this link. An exclusive Early Bird Discount of 20% is available for registrations made before March 31st. Further discounts for multiple attendees from the same organization, universities etc. are available upon request. Additional details about the event will be added to the VI-grade website as they become available.

Darmstadt, Germany, February 8th, 2024 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, and Varjo, a world leader in professional VR (Virtual Reality) and XR (Extended Reality) technology, today announced a collaboration aimed at advancing Human-Machine Interface (HMI) development in the automotive industry. The collaboration leverages Varjo’s state-of-the-art headsets to further enhance the immersive experience of VI-grade’s professional driving simulators. 

This cooperation between VI-grade and Varjo represents a union of industry leaders. Both companies are recognized for excellence in their respective domains, making the collaboration a natural fit. VI-grade's expertise in automotive driving simulator solutions complements Varjo's reputation for high-end XR headsets, resulting in a pioneering collaborative relationship to drive innovation in automotive HMI development.

Driving simulators have become integral to the automotive development process, allowing manufacturers to make informed design decisions and improve vehicle performance from a human-centric perspective. VI-grade's driving simulators offer a state-of-the-art immersive experience and are renowned for their effectiveness in applications such as Ride & Handling, NVH, ADAS, and HMI. Varjo's XR technology brings a distinct advantage to VI-grade's simulators by providing unmatched realism, including dynamic motion, sound, and lifelike visuals. By integrating Varjo's XR headsets into its simulation ecosystem, VI-grade’s driving simulators are significantly enhancing the user’s driving experience with a greater sense of realism and immersion.

One of the key features of this collaboration is the integration of Varjo's XR-3 and XR-4 headsets with VI-grade's standard virtual environment, VI-WorldSim. This combination enhances the simulator's capability, incorporating realistic, multi-agent AI traffic behavior and sensor fusion. The Varjo XR-3 headset model will be supported starting with VI-WorldSim version 2024.1, with support for Varjo XR-4 headsets coming shortly thereafter through the OpenXR framework in Unreal Engine 5.

“I am excited to announce our collaboration with Varjo. Supporting high-quality Mixed Reality solutions in professional driving simulators expands the scope of our driving simulators to include more advanced HMI applications: one more step on the multidisciplinary journey!” commented Roberto De Vecchi, Head of Product Development at VI-grade.

“Varjo and VI-grade share a vision of driving more efficient and sustainable practices in the automotive industry. By transitioning workflows to immersive virtual environments, we eliminate the need for traditional, resource-intensive methods, paving the way for a more streamlined future for prototyping. We are proud to deepen our collaboration with VI-grade with the introduction of VI-WorldSim support for our new generation of devices, the Varjo XR-4 Series,” said Seppo Aaltonen, Chief Commercial Officer at Varjo.

For further insights into the integration of XR and VR technology in professional driving simulators, VI-grade and Varjo have collaborated on a joint blog article, available at this link.
 

Darmstadt, Germany, February 1st, 2024 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced its upcoming 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit. This annual flagship event is slated to take place May 14-16, 2024, at VI-grade’s SimCenter facility in Udine, Italy – the company’s main development hub featuring the complete spectrum of technologies helping to propel the automotive industry towards achieving Zero Prototypes.

Tailored to the global automotive development community, the summit promises exclusive insights into how VI-grade’s simulation software, driving simulators, and Hardware-in-the-Loop technology are revolutionizing the automotive development landscape. Industry leaders, including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, universities, and research centers, will share their experiences, showcasing how they leverage VI-grade's tools to attain virtual sign-off and reduce dependence on physical prototypes.

Key Highlights of the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit:

• Two-Day Conference: The Summit will feature curated keynote and technical presentations by representatives from major automotive companies around the world who will share their experiences, insights and best practices using VI-grade's software, driving simulator and HiL solutions. EDAG Group, this year’s Diamond Sponsor, will set the tone for the conference with their keynote presentation detailing EDAG’s new Zero Prototypes Lab. Currently under construction in Wolfsburg, Germany, this unique, state-of-the-art lab features VI-grade’s Cable Driven DiM500 Simulator at its core. VI-grade will also host an engaging series of compelling panel discussions throughout the conference, bringing together automotive thought leaders for insightful conversations about their adoption of the Zero Prototypes vision.
• Hands-On Technical Sessions: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a series of demo sessions tailored to specific automotive applications. This lets attendees experience for themselves the value that VI-grade’s cutting-edge simulation tools bring to the development process.
• User Group Sessions: On May 17th, VI-grade will host complimentary User Group sessions for its Driving Simulator and NVH customers. Attendees will get an up-close look at the latest advancements, with an opportunity to interact directly with VI-grade's product development teams. 
• New in 2024: VI-grade is bringing together the motorcycle community for the first time at the ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit on May 14th with a dedicated user group meeting focused on VI-Motorcycle – VI-grade's specialized simulation environment for motorcycle design and testing. 

“I'm excited to announce the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit and soon welcome the global automotive community to our SimCenter Udine for this exceptional event," commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director of VI-grade. "Our ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits have become a highly relevant and interactive forum where automakers and suppliers can demonstrate real, tangible success in bridging the gap between CAE simulation and physical testing on the road to zero prototype sign-off."

VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit:

• Diamond: EDAG Group 
• Platinum: Applus+ IDIADA, HORIBA MIRA, Meccanica 42, MegaRide, SAGInoMIYA
• Gold: Concurrent Real-Time, cosin scientific software, HBK, Moog, Multimatic Inc. 
• Silver: 3D Mapping Solutions, domeprojection, Fraunhofer ITWM, Smart Eye
• Bronze: BE CAE & Test, JEDAi, rFpro

Sponsors will be present in the exhibition area where they’ll showcase their technologies and solutions.

Registration for the 2024 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit is now open at this link. An exclusive Early Bird Discount of 20% is available for registrations made before March 31st. Further discounts for multiple attendees from the same organization, universities etc. are available upon request. Additional details about the event will be added to the VI-grade website as they become available.