Step into the next era of product development at the 2026 Smart Prototypes Summit!
Experience virtual and physical testing coming together
in one intelligent ecosystem to drive smarter, faster innovation.
Step into the next era of product development at the 2026 Smart Prototypes Summit!
Experience virtual and physical testing coming together
in one intelligent ecosystem to drive smarter, faster innovation.
Step into the next era of product development at the 2026 Smart Prototypes Summit!
Experience virtual and physical testing coming together
in one intelligent ecosystem to drive smarter, faster innovation.
Udine, Italy, November 12th, 2025 –VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the release of the 2026.1 versions of its flagship software products: VI-CarRealTime, VI-DriveSim, VI-NVHSim and VI-WorldSim. The new 2026.1 software suite is now available for download in the reserved area of the VI-grade website, offering immediate access to a host of new capabilities and performance improvements across the full VI-grade ecosystem. This major release reinforces the company’s commitment to accelerating virtual prototype development and delivering realistic, immersive simulation experiences.
VI-CarRealTime VI-CarRealTime 2026.1 enables users to gain faster, more accurate insight into vehicle behavior from concept to validation. The new Static Lap Time solver improves simulation precision through advanced tire modeling, helping engineers optimize performance earlier in the design process. Enhanced model management using a flexible JSON-based override system makes it easier to adapt, reuse, and share models across teams and projects. Expanded powertrain and actuator capabilities allow engineers to replicate real-world behaviors such as turbo lag or variable speed limits, leading to more realistic virtual prototypes. The upgraded Investigation Mode simplifies analysis through automated reporting and discrete optimization, reducing manual effort and improving decision-making speed. Additionally, enhanced FMU export now supports live visualization and state saving, allowing smoother integration into broader development workflows.
VI-DriveSim VI-DriveSim 2026.1 streamlines simulator operation and integration, enabling users to move from setup to testing more efficiently. The new direct support for MdynamiX steering and STEP Lab damper rigs minimizes configuration time and ensures more reliable hardware-in-the-loop performance. Engineers can now create and manage SimWB projects directly from the DriveSim interface, eliminating extra steps and potential setup errors.
A new standalone API service allows remote control and automation of simulation tasks, supporting distributed engineering teams. Updated telemetry dashboards and enhanced data logging improve clarity and traceability, while full compatibility with modern Linux environments ensures stable performance in professional simulation centers. Motion cueing preferences and parameter variations are now fully traceable, giving users greater confidence in test reproducibility.
VI-NVHSim
With VI-NVHSim 2026.1, users experience a more intuitive and powerful workflow for sound and vibration analysis. New human perception–based weighting standards make it easier to evaluate comfort and compliance, translating complex data into meaningful insights. Extended offline filtering and speed-based event triggers simplify setup and tuning, saving time during complex NVH investigations.
The redesigned VI-SimSound interface unifies installation and enhances usability, allowing users to focus on creative sound design instead of configuration details. Realistic effects like wall proximity reflections and expanded sound design integrations (including Bose and QNX LiveAMP) help engineers deliver immersive, production-quality auditory experiences earlier in development.
VI-WorldSim VI-WorldSim 2026.1 enhances realism and creative flexibility in immersive driving environments. The new solid-state LiDAR and configurable radar models let users replicate advanced ADAS and autonomous systems more accurately, while high-fidelity lighting and animated occupants heighten realism for driver-in-the-loop testing.
Engineers can now build and validate custom environments directly within the ModKit, independent of third-party tools, accelerating scenario creation for testing and training. Expanded Python SDK examples and ROS2 bindings make integration with existing automation and data pipelines easier than ever, empowering teams to connect simulation seamlessly with real-world development workflows.
The 2026.1 software suite strengthens VI-grade’s commitment to a connected, human-centric simulation ecosystem. Together, these tools enable engineers to model, test, and refine every aspect of vehicle performance from handling and NVH to immersive driver experience faster, more accurately, and with greater collaboration across the entire development cycle.
The VI-grade 2026.1 software release, along with a comprehensive list of new features and enhancements, is now available for download. Registered users can access it by logging into the reserved area of the VI-grade website.
Turin, Italy, October 23rd, 2025 –VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced a new partnership with TUC.technology, an Italian innovator specializing in modular connection systems for mobility applications through globally patented hardware & software proprietary systems. The partnership integrates TUC’s TUC.micro technology into VI-grade’s driving simulator platforms, delivering new levels of flexibility and realism in the development and evaluation of in-vehicle Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI).
This partnership merges VI-grade’s advanced simulation technology with TUC.technology’s modular hardware innovation to create a more flexible development environment. The integration of the TUC.micro connection system allows components such as instrument clusters, central and passenger displays, and other cockpit elements to be mounted, powered, and reconfigured with ease. This approach brings a new dimension of physical modularity to virtual testing environments, supporting faster and more iterative HMI and cockpit development processes.
The project involves the design and implementation of compact, omnidirectional interfaces that deliver optimal ergonomics and simple signal and power management within VI-grade’s simulator structures. The collaboration underscores both companies’ shared commitment to advancing flexible, human-centered development environments that connect physical and digital testing domains.
“This partnership showcases how the integration of modular connection technology enhances the versatility of simulation platforms,” commented Alessandro Baldari, EMEA and Americas HiL Sales Manager at VI-grade. “By combining our real-time simulation tools with TUC’s innovative hardware, we empower our customers to evaluate new cockpit architectures and control systems with greater speed, flexibility and realism.”
“This partnership marks a major milestone for TUC.technology as we expand our modular connection platform into the domain of simulation and digital development,” said Ludovico Campana, Co-Founder and CEO of TUC.technology. “Together with VI-grade, we are creating an ecosystem where the boundaries between physical and digital vehicle development disappear, ushering in a new era of integrated mobility design.”
Udine, Italy, October 15th, 2025 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced that UK-based high-tech start-up KAN Engineering has adopted VI-grade’s COMPACT Full Spectrum Simulator (FSS) to enhance its virtual development capabilities.
With this investment, KAN Engineering strengthens its portfolio of high-end simulation tools used to support automotive customers in areas such as ride and handling development, suspension characterization, and NVH performance. The COMPACT FSS will serve as a key asset in enabling KAN Engineering to deliver immersive, Human-in-the-Loop simulations to its clients.
VI-grade’s COMPACT FSS features a compact motion platform with a system of linear actuators, allowing for realistic reproduction of pitch, roll, and heave motions. Its high-fidelity capabilities from 0.5 Hz to 20 kHz make it ideal for ride comfort and refinement studies, including Damper-in-the-Loop applications and evaluations of combined motion, vibration, and sound.
“We are proud to support KAN Engineering in their mission to provide cutting-edge simulation services to the automotive industry,” said Alessio Lombardi, Vice President Sales EMEA and North America at VI-grade. “Their adoption of the COMPACT FSS reflects a growing demand for tools that enable subjective driver feedback earlier in the development process.”
“The COMPACT FSS adds a powerful dimension to our simulation offering,” commented Dr. Amir Soltani, CEO of KAN Engineering. “It allows us to deliver highly realistic, human-centric evaluations that complement traditional simulation workflows helping our customers bring better vehicles to market, faster.”
Building on the proven success of the ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit series, the SMART PROTOTYPES Summit represents the next step in HBK’s vision to unify physical and virtual testing in one connected environment. The event will showcase how smart prototypes are the new generation of development platforms where virtual and physical worlds operate as one, combining simulation, testing, and data intelligence in a seamless, connected workflow that drives better, faster, and more sustainable innovation.
The 2026 edition will bring together OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, technology providers, and research institutions for three days of:
Keynote and technical presentations: Insights from leading voices on the convergence of physical and virtual testing, data-driven workflows, and smart engineering ecosystems in the field of vehicle dynamics, Ride, NVH, ADAS, HMI, durability, reliability and electric powertrain testing.
Hands-On demonstrations: Live experiences combining driving simulators, virtual engineering platforms, and integrated test solutions.
Interactive training and User Groups: Complimentary sessions designed to deepen expertise and foster collaboration between customers and product teams.
Networking opportunities: A unique forum to connect with peers, partners, and thought leaders shaping the future of mobility.
To further enrich the Smart Prototypes Summit 2026, attendees from the automotive sector will benefit from dedicated technical tracks featuring presentations from VI-grade and HBK customers, continuing a proven format: leading OEMs, suppliers, and research partners share case studies on how simulation, driving simulators, HiL, and testing solutions accelerate innovation with the help of smart prototypes.
“After years of advancing virtual testing with our ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits, the Smart Prototypes Summit 2026 reflects the next evolution,” said Gabriele Ferrarotti, Sr. Marketing Director, VI-grade – HBK Virtual Test. “By connecting virtual and physical testing in one unified environment, we enable our customers to turn data into intelligence, accelerate decision-making, and deliver smarter vehicles faster and more sustainably.”
“The Smart Prototypes Summit is not only about technology but about transformation,” added Guido Bairati, VP Global Sales, HBK Physical Test. “By combining simulation-first approaches with real-world test validation and data intelligence, we create a continuous feedback loop that helps the industry reduce risk, shorten development cycles, and unlock innovative solutions to tomorrow’s challenges.”
Official registration will open on November 19th, 2025. Join the waitlist before that date to stay updated about the event and enter a drawing for a free Summit pass: /sps2026
イタリア、ウディネ、2025年6月4日- 人間中心のシミュレーション主導型車両開発ソリューションをグローバルに提供するVI-gradeは本日、最新かつ最先端のDriver-in-the-Loop(DiL)モーションプラットフォームであるHexaRevを正式に発表した。HexaRevは、イタリアのウディネにあるVI-grade社のSimCenterで5月に開催された2025 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit(ZPS2025)で独占的に発表された。
Please complete the following form to register. Registration will grant you access to the reserved area.
At the end of the registration you will receive an e-mail containing your registration data.
I consent VI-grade to contact me via email and accept the privacy policy