Marburg, June 3, 2019 – VI-grade, the leading provider of best-in-class products and services to bridge the gap between real world testing and technical simulation, today announced the official review of the 2019 edition of its International Conference.

242 engineers, managers, and simulation experts from over 100 automotive and transportation companies, universities and research centers gathered from 20 countries from all over the world to discuss the latest simulation trends and to exchange their experience with other partners and users of the VI-grade technology. The event took place on May 14th-15th, 2019 at Congresspark conference center, located in the city of Hanau, Germany (in the outskirts of Frankfurt).
 
The event, characterized by the motto “Bridging the gap between testing and simulation”, was rated “very good” to “excellent” by 97% of the participants and offered a very comprehensive agenda, featuring 35 presentations from renowned international companies such as 3D Mapping / Applus+ IDIADA / Automobili Lamborghini / Automotive Simulation Center Stuttgart / Benteler / BMW Motorrad / Brüel & Kjær / Concurrent Real-Time / Danisi Engineering / FCA Latam / FEV / Fraunhofer ITWM / Hyundai Motor Europe / Konrad Technologies / MAGNA Steyr / Maserati / Mercedes AMG / MegaRide & Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II / Michelin / Millbrook Proving Ground /  MSC Software / Multimatic / Politecnico di Milano / Pontificial Catholic University of Minas Gerais / Roborace / Rescale / Showa / Smart Eye / TODEMA & Rebel Dynamics / Transpolis / Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia / University of Catania / Virtual Vehicle / Volvo Cars / WIVW.

Michael Bidlingmeier (Mercedes AMG) presented a paper – which also was selected by the audience as “IC2019 Best Presentation” – titled "Team Up the Simulator: Development of an HyperCar", related to the installation and application of VI-grade’s dynamic driving simulator DiM250 in the development process and toolchain at Mercedes-AMG, with particular reference to the example of the “project one” Hyper Car.
 
Lucas Di Grassi, professional racing driver and CEO of Roborace gave a keynote speech about “The Future of Motorsport” focusing on the future value of Motorsport and especially how changing industry priorities and new technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous driving will reshape this sector.
 
Fabio Gerbino (Maserati), Luca Dusini (Maserati) and Rutger Uil (Goodyear) presented a paper about the new tire development approach using a driving simulator in order to predict and to maximize tire performance. Since competition in automotive industry is fiercer than ever nowadays, these tools are becoming increasingly important to withstand the ever-shorter development times and the drastic reduction of experimental tests.
 
During the conference, the VI-grade team also had the chance of awarding the “Dynamis PRC – Politecnico di Milano, Italy" and the “Cal Poly Racing, California, USA” with the First Prize of the 2019 edition of the Virtual Formula competition, respectively in the Internal Combustion and the Electric Vehicle categories. The teams have been awarded with a full software package from VI-grade and with a one-day session at Maserati’s Driving Simulator located in Modena, Italy.
 
Additionally, the 2019 event also featured an Ice Breaker social event at Honda Europe R&D center in Offenbach in the evening of May 13th, where all customers/partners informally got together to see the world’s first fully installed DiM250 driving simulator live and in action. In a relaxed atmosphere, guests had the opportunity to discuss the latest and forthcoming driving simulation technologies and also to network among the industry.

“Very good as always.”; “Organization second to none. Excellent attention to detail!”; “Nice variety of presentations. Informative and interesting aspects of engineering covered. Well done!”; “Always a success”; “This was a great experience as my first time at the VI-grade Conference.”; “I'm satisfied and the event met my expectations. Thanks for a great event! See you next year! …” are just some of the comments left by selected attendees.
 
The event was organized with the collaboration of Saginomiya, Danisi Engineering (Platinum Sponsors), MSC Software, Sim.Co.VR, Concurrent Real-Time, FEV, TODEMA, Barco, domeprojection, Millbrook, Brüel & Kjær (Golden sponsors), MegaRide, Horiba Mira, SmartEye, rescale, 3D Mapping, Konrad Technologies, Virtual Vehicle, Multimatic, BE CAE& Test, Solize, Applus+ IDIADA, Fraunhofer ITWM (Silver Sponsors) and Flow The Kitchen as technical sponsor.
 
For more information about the event, to view all pictures or to download selected proceedings please visit https://conference.vi-grade.com.
 
Dates and location of the 2020 edition of our international event will be soon announced.
 

Partnership for state-of-the-art simulation center in Novi, Michigan, to develop next-generation vehicle systems.

Novi (Michigan), May 23, 2019 – VI-grade and Multimatic are pleased to announce SimCenter, an advanced vehicle development and driving simulation center to be located in the greater Detroit area.

Optimized to meet customer demand for rapid, cost-effective development of next-generation vehicle systems with features such as driver assistance and autonomous operation, SimCenter will offer both software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration into an overall driver-in-the-loop (DIL) virtual world.

Bridging the gap between simulation and real-world testing, SimCenter is the result of an expanded partnership between VI-grade and Multimatic and will house North America’s first industry-leading VI-grade DiM 250 (Driver-in-Motion) series motion platform.

VI-grade’s DiM 250 motion platform is based on a revolutionary, patented mechanism that incorporates nine motion actuators, delivering an enlarged workspace with high operating stiffness. This platform’s resultant ability to accurately reproduce both low and high frequency excitations makes the DiM 250 stand out as an exemplary engineering tool, suitable for evaluating vehicle ride and handling dynamics in the virtual world as never before.        

“Multimatic’s operating philosophy, ‘Strength Through Technology,’ is what drives us towards innovation and product excellence every day. SimCenter is the next evolutionary step in the development of our company and its products. The technology that VI-grade has been able to develop with their Driver-in-Motion system is extraordinary and Multimatic couldn’t be more excited to bring DiM to the United States. Multimatic is looking forward to the continued technical partnership with VI-grade as we leverage their technology for future innovation in a highly competitive market” said Michael Guttilla, Executive Vice President of Engineering, Multimatic.

Multimatic, a global leader in vehicle dynamics engineering, will operate the new facility as an extension of its current driving simulators in Canada and England. The facility will also include a VI-grade Compact Static Simulator.

“The adoption of our driving simulation technology at Multimatic is a direct consequence of our long-lasting partnership and will for sure bring mutual advantages to our companies”, said Juergen Fett, Vice President Partners and SimCenters, VI-grade. “DiM 250 represents our best performing driving simulation platform to date and we are extremely excited about having the chance of giving North American automotive and motorsport customers the possibility of directly experiencing the advantages of this technology through the establishment of this new SimCenter.”

SimCenter is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2019.

About Multimatic Inc.
Multimatic is a privately held, global enterprise supplying engineered components, systems and services to the automotive industry. Multimatic’s core competencies include the engineering and manufacturing of complex mechanisms, body hardware, suspension systems and body structures, as well as the design and development of lightweight composite automotive systems. In addition, Multimatic delivers niche vehicle design, development and production for road and race applications. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Multimatic has manufacturing divisions and engineering facilities in North America, Europe and Asia, and alliance relationships with partners around the world. Multimatic is comprised of three operating groups: Multimatic Mechanisms, Multimatic Structures & Suspension and Multimatic Engineering. For further information, please visit www.multimatic.com

Bridging their respective expertise and experiences in simulation and test, VI-grade and Konrad Technologies will jointly demonstrate the new test method for verifying functional and performance of ADAS and Autonomous Driving features at the Automotive Testing Expo and Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo 2019

Stuttgart, Germany – May 21st, 2019 – VI-grade and Konrad Technologies today jointly announced they will demonstrate a new test method, Driver in the Loop (DIL) with Sensor Fusion Test, at the Automotive Testing Expo Europe and Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

“4 years ago, Konrad Technologies and our partners pioneered Sensor Fusion HiL and demonstrated how sensor test combines with HiL tests to validate performance of multi sensor configurations with ADAS algorithms,“ said Michael Konrad, CEO of Konrad Technologies. „Radar, Camera, and Lidar sensors can be tested at sub-system and system level implementations to verify ADAS capability for automated braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and others.Today, together with the VI-grade team, we will show how the sensor test can be extended to DiL with Sensor Fusion Test so that ADAS functionality can be evaluated and optimized to a higher degree in the lab before beginning road tests.“

“The VI-grade Driver in Motion (DiM) 150 simulator offers a complete driver behavior and 9 degrees of vehicle movement to simulate a real-world drive situation including traffic simulations,” said Guido Bairati, VP of Sales for VI-grade. “Adding sensors into the drive simulation loop allows ADAS/AD functionality to be tested safely in a lab environment and adds driver reaction to the test parameters for a more comprehensive test that can then be compared with drive test data for optimization cycles. Through this collaboration with Konrad Technologies, we have been able to quickly deliver a link between physical test and simulation-based testing for ADAS/AD features to the automotive market.“

For DIL with Sensor Fusion Test, the objects around the vehicle from the drive simulation software are simulated by Konrad Technologies sensor simulators in real-time. And the output of the sensors are then brought back into the software simulation to close the execution loop.
 
The collaboration will be presented at the 2019 Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo event (Halle 6, booth AV6030) as well as through a joint presentation titled “Driver in the Loop (DIL) with Sensor Fusion Test” included in the official conference program of the same conference.

About Konrad Technologies Worldwide
Konrad Technologies (KT) is a global company and NI Platinum Alliance Partner that offers customized turnkey test solutions in the areas of electronics manufacturing, high-frequency technology, optics and beyond.  Since 1993, Konrad Technologies has successfully developed, designed and integrated customer-specific test solutions providing customers with R&D, qualification, and manufacturing of electronic products with tools to fulfill their quality goals, accelerate engineering and development throughput. Customers in a wide range of industries from Automotive, Aerospace and Defense, Wireless Communications, Consumer Electronics, Medical, Semiconductor, General Electronic Manufacturing to Industrial Automation use KT’s integrated hardware and software platform-based solutions to improve their performance worldwide. Konrad Technologies is a founding member of ADAS iiT, a consortium that provides a complete test solution for autonomous driving.

Konrad-Technologies, KT and Konrad GmbH are all representative of Konrad Technologies worldwide. Other products and company names listed are trademarks of their respective companies. For more information about Konrad Technologies Solutions and upcoming events, please visit www.konrad-technologies.com.

Major release of real-time software (VI-CarRealTime and VI-Driver), vertical products (VI-Automotive, VI-Motorcycle, VI-Aircraft) and driving simulation solutions (VI-DriveSim) bring to customers better flexibility, an improved user experience and support of real-time applications for more advanced components

Marburg, May 2nd, 2019 – VI-grade today announced the release of v19.0 of its software product suite. The release includes major product features and several usability enhancements in the following products: VI-CarRealTime and VI-Driver (real-time software); VI-DriveSim (driving simulation solutions); and VI-Automotive, VI-Motorcycle, VI-Aircraft (vertical products).

Selected new features of VI-CarRealTime v19.0 include:

• Investigation Mode:
  • Automatic model variant response module
  • Allows to easily execute a given plan of experiments
    • Define model parameters values and range
    • Select events or scenario to be tested
    • Define the metric to be monitored
  • Automatically generate the related reports
     
• Model improvements:
  • New engine mount layout options (bushings on body chassis, torque
  • Vehicle chassis flexibility with body-on-frame architecture
  • New demo vehicles
    • SUV crossover
    • Pick-up truck
  • Improved driveline modelling options, to specify e.g. gear shifting maps or specific inertias.
  • Design time scaling factors for suspension elements (dampers, springs, 
  • bumpers…) 
     
• Tire Models
  • CDTire RealTime
    • Available for handling maneuvers
  • FTire 2019-1
    • acc & /hil versions integration
    • Improved computational efficiency
  • TameTire 5.1
  • MF-Tyre/MF-Swift 7.3
  • MegaRide
    • AdheRide/ThermoRide models integration
    • Realtime capable version available
       
• Adams Car Interface: new properties export added
  • Frequency bushing
  • Rack & pinion (Pfeffer model)
  • Suspension auxiliary longitudinal dynamics identification
     
• Vehicle Performance modules
  • VI-SpeedGen can optionally consider the suspension travel while predicting the limit speed profile computation
  • (For motorsport applications): Aerodynamic balance and electric motors      regeneration state can be parametrized on the on-track position
     
• Miscellaneous
  • VI-CarRealTime solver now able to produce additional output signals:
    • Roll center height for all full vehicle simulations
    • ABS & TCS activity
  • Possibility to configure multiple solver plugins
  • Scriptable (python) custom post-processing
  • VI-CarRealTime SDK now includes an executable able to perform simulations with forced “Save&Restore” operation

Selected new features of VI-DriveSim v19.0 include:

• VI-DriveSim environment opened to 3rd party vehicle solvers
  • Protocol documentation
  • Template for Matlab/Simulink
• Input File management
  • VI-CarRealTime model input files can be used for different experiments:
    • Override road data file
    • Redefine vehicle initial position/orientation
  • Possible to inherit the lap sensor directly from the road file (explicit reference to a drd file still supported for special cases)
• Steering feedback
  • Support of angle tracking control mode in addition to the regular torque tracking mode
• Body Feedback
  • Active belts systems with independent left/right actuators now supported by the graphical interface

“I’m very impressed with the new DOE expansion (Investigation Mode) of VI-CarRealTime v19. For us it will be one of the most significant updates VI-CarRealTime has introduced over the past releases” – said one of the customers participating to the VI-CarRealTime v19 beta program.

The new releases, developed on top of Adams2018, are available on the completely revamped VI-grade download area at the link: https://www.vi-grade.com/en/reserved_area/software_download.

A complete list of new features and enhancements can be found in the Release Notes documents available for download at the same link.

11th Conference dedicated to the worldwide VI-grade community to be held in Hanau (Frankfurt), Germany on May 13th-15th, 2019

Marburg, March 6, 2019 – VI-grade today announced the first round of sponsors and speakers of the 2019 edition of its International Conference, as well the location of the Ice-Breaker event.

The event, dedicated to executive managers and experienced engineers belonging to automotive and transportation companies, engineering firms and universities as well as research centers all over the world, is to be held at the Congress Park conference center in the city of Hanau near Frankfurt, Germany, on May 14-15, 2019.

The conference will feature several keynote and technical presentations from renowned representatives from worldwide automotive manufacturers, suppliers and research centers such as: Applus IDIADA, Benteler Automotive, Danisi Engineering, FCA LATAM, Fondazione Democenter, Fraunhofer ITWM, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH, Konrad Technologies, MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik, Maserati, Multimatic, Roborace, Transpolis, Volvo Car Corporation, Showa. Further details on the content of the presentations – mostly oriented to topics such as real-time simulation, HIL, SIL, traffic simulation and ADAS, autonomous driving, vehicle energy efficiency and tire modeling – as well as additional speakers will be announced later on.

Additionally, in occasion of our traditional ice-breaker event, all conference attendees will be invited to an informal get-together at Honda Europe R&D center in Offenbach on May 13th at 6pm to see the world’s first fully installed DiM250 driving simulator live and in action. In a relaxed atmosphere, guests will have the opportunity to discuss the latest trends and forthcoming driving simulation technologies and also to network among the industry.

“We are looking forward to giving our ever-growing international community an opportunity to share the latest projects and advancements realized using our simulation solutions with an experienced audience” said Guido Bairati, Vice President Global Sales, VI-grade.

The event is produced thanks to the precious support of a growing list sponsors and partners that already includes confirmed participation from Danisi Engineering and Saginomiya (Platinum Sponsors); Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, DomeProjection, SimCoVr, MSC Software, Todema (Golden Sponsors); 3D Mapping, BE CAE&Test, CSM, Horiba Mira, Konrad Technologies, Megaride, Millbrook Proving Ground, Multimatic, Rescale, SmartEye, Virtual Vehicle Research Institute (Silver Sponsors) and with the technical sponsorship of “Flow the Kitchen” Catering.

Additional details on the conference program (finalized list of sponsors and speakers as well as logistic information) will be progressively published under the link https://conference.vi-grade.com.

CEO of Roborace and Formula E driver officially confirmed attendance and presentation at 2019 edition of VI-grade’s event dedicated to the worldwide automotive community.

Marburg, February 12, 2019 – VI-grade today announced the attendance of Lucas Di Grassi as a Keynote Speaker at the 2019 edition of its International Conference to be held at “Congress Park” in Hanau, Germany on May 14-15, 2019.

In his presentation at the VI-grade event, he will concentrate on the future value of Motorsport and especially how changing industry priorities and new technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous driving will reshape this sector.

Born in Sao Paolo, Brazil Lucas is a true all-round talent in many fields. Apart from his numerous victories as a professional racing driver in the Formula E, he also plays a significant role off track. As one of the co-founders and one of the first ambassadors of Formula E, Lucas Di Grassi did not only arouse public interest on the fully electric racing series, but he also increased awareness related to issues like global warming and declining air quality.

By combining his deep racing expertise and his extensive business experience as the current CEO of Roborace, the world’s first competition for human and artificial intelligent racing, he is now heading towards future by making autonomous technology more exciting and inspirational for a new generation of spectators. “We want to take Roborace where motorsport cannot go, focusing the platform on the future road-relevant autonomous technology”, explains Di Grassi.

About the 2019 VI-grade International Conference
The event is dedicated to executive managers and experienced engineers belonging to automotive and transportation companies, engineering firms and universities as well as research centers from all over the world. It is a great opportunity for the VI-grade international community to discuss the latest trends with regard to system-level virtual engineering, hardware in the loop, controls and driving simulation.

The 2019 event will also feature an ice-breaker social event in the afternoon of May 13, when all attendees will be invited to an informal get-together to learn more about the new and forthcoming driving simulation technologies provided by VI-grade and partners (location and further details related to the Ice Breaker will be announced later on). The list of event sponsors and partners already includes confirmed participation from Danisi Engineering, Saginomiya, Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, SimCoVR, Megaride. Additional sponsors, partners and speakers will be announced later on.

For further information about the conference, please visit: https://conference.vi-grade.com/

Leading UK-based Formula E team to install static race simulator from VI-grade to further develop and improve the team’s race preparations

Marburg, February 6, 2019 – Envision Virgin Racing, the current leading team in the all-electric Formula E series, has this week begun work on expanding its operational headquarters at Silverstone Park, to further develop and improve the team’s race preparations. The UK-based outfit moved to its new state-of-the-art facilities – located just a stone’s throw from the home of British motor racing – in 2017, ahead of the fourth season of the FIA Formula E Championship.
 
Now, due to continued expansion, the team is adding a mezzanine floor to its existing facilities, including the installation of a cutting-edge VI-grade racing simulator. The extension plans, due to be completed by the summer in time for the next Formula E season, also allow for more work space; with all being built in keeping with the rest of the site, which adheres to the ‘Very Good’ energy sustainability standards set by the government’s BREEAM agency, as well as being certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust.

Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director for the team, said: “As one of the founding and most successful Formula E teams, it’s fantastic to watch the team grow year-on-year. Moving to Silverstone Park was an obvious choice due to the facilities, skillset and like-minded businesses on our doorstep. Now, after being here less than two years, we’re in a position to implement the second phase of the development, thanks to the investment and foresight of the team’s new majority owners, Envision Group. Once complete, the new work areas and simulator will help further improve the quality of our race preparation for season six, as well as show our continued commitment to Formula E.”

Envision Group’s Franz Jung and Chairman of the Board said: “We fully support the team and want to continue building on the team’s already impressive legacy. Formula E is becoming increasingly competitive, so we know how important this type of investment is to help stay ahead of the competition.”
 
John Williams, Managing Director of VI-grade Ltd who will be supplying the team’s racing simulator, added: “We are very pleased to announce another success in the motorsports industry by reporting the adoption of our driving simulator at Envision Virgin Racing as a turnkey solution. The installation includes proprietary software from VI-grade and related hardware components, as well as a cockpit provided by Envision Virgin Racing equipped with proprietary active belts technology from VI-grade. The simulator, including a set of Formula E digitized tracks, will provide the customer with a complete solution that will enable them to virtually test and optimise the performance of their race cars, therefore allowing them to agree on, and then deliver, the optimal race performance.”
 
For more information on Envision Virgin Racing, including access to the team’s media site, visit www.envisionvirginracing.com.

Audi Motorsport to utilize revolutionary dynamic driving simulation technology from VI-grade for the virtual fine tuning of their race vehicles’ dynamic performance

Marburg, December 13, 2018 – VI-grade today announced that Audi Motorsport has completed the installation of the dynamic driving simulation solution DiM150 (Driver-in-Motion). The driving simulator, equipped with a Formula E and DTM car cockpit, has been installed at the Audi Motorsport site in Neuburg, Bavaria (Germany) and is currently in use for the virtual fine tuning of the dynamic performance of the vehicles developed and marketed by Audi Motorsport as well as for professional driver training.

“Due to the increasingly strict regulations of the motorsport series there is only a limited number of testing days on the real racetracks,” said Joachim Hausner, Coordination Driving Simulator Audi Motorsport. “With our new DiM150 driving simulator we are very confident to master these future challenges, because we are able to develop more efficiently and precisely in advance, so that we are better prepared on the real racetracks later and lastly to improve our performance in the race.”

“Shortly after the final installation it was already possible for us to apply the simulator for the preparation of the upcoming Formula E season starting on December 15,” continued Hausner. “There is still some work to be done to fully implement and integrate the simulator in the development processes of all our race series, but we see great potential in this driving simulation solution for the future of Audi Motorsport.”

“We are delighted to report the completion of the installation of our driving simulation solution at Audi Motorsport and to realize that our DiM150 is already used by Audi’s drivers and engineers to improve vehicle performances,” said Alessio Lombardi, Key Account Manager, VI-grade. “The concept of our DiM150 fully represents Audi’s philosophy and mission – Vorsprung durch Technik, meaning a step forward through technology. We are looking forward to all current and potential future usages of our driving simulation technologies at Audi Motorsport.”
 
To reproduce vehicle movements and accelerations, the DiM solution takes a different path to driving simulation and is based on a patented revolutionary design with nine actuators. The resulting configuration with its 9 degrees of freedom enables us to go beyond the basic six-actuator design of a simple hexapod, thus providing a larger workspace while maintaining a high stiffness. This leads to a system suitable for low as well as high frequencies, both of which occur in automotive chassis design. For this reason, the DiM platform enables us to investigate vehicle dynamics as well as ride and comfort on the same motion platform.