As the automotive industry moves into the future, companies are faced with the challenge of convenience, and connectivity. The advent of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is only expected to magnify this trend, pushing the boundaries of vehicle complexity even further. New AVs will require state-of-the-art components from multiple domains including software, semiconductor chips, sensors, and electrical wiring—culminating in the most sophisticated vehicles ever produced.

Complex systems require sophisticated solutions

Mounting complexity throughout the vehicle development process compounds when it comes to verification and validation of an AV. Projections indicate that AV platforms will need to complete the equivalent of billions of miles of testing to ensure their safety and reliability. Such a considerable volume of testing is necessary to investigate non-routine traffic situations that are difficult to predict when developing the self-driving system.

However, relying solely on real-world prototypes for such rigorous testing would be both impractical and prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, modern digital simulation and testing solutions can alleviate the costs of physical testing and, ultimately, empower engineers to work novel traffic situations into their trials, ensuring their AVs are equipped to navigate impromptu obstacles safely.

These simulation solutions enable automotive manufacturers to build accurate, reliable, and, most importantly, scalable testing scenarios despite the increase in vehicle complexity.

The intersection of industry standards and simulation

Customers and automakers alike desire safe and reliable AVs. That’s why the unity between industry standards and simulation technology is crucial for the successful development and deployment of AVs. Standards play a vital role in streamlining certification processes, ensuring consistency, and building confidence in the technology. As standards help bridge the gap between technology deployment and regulatory compliance, they will ultimately accelerate the production of dependable AVs.

Simulation-based testing offers immense advantages for AV manufacturers building to meet industry standards. Modern virtual testing methods can factor these standards into simulations, ensuring that designs are evaluated against appropriate targets from the beginning of development. And yet physical testing will continue to serve an important role in the verification and validation of future AVs. Striking the right balance between virtual and real-world testing is the key to an AV-driven future.

For example, physical tests are still necessary to validate sensor systems and ensure accuracy. Additionally, companies use real-world testing data to increase their fidelity. However, by leveraging both methods, developers and engineers can maximize efficiency and reliability in their quest to bring AVs to the masses.

In essence, the robust nature of modern simulation solutions empowers the automotive industry to tackle the challenges of AV design and development head-on. As vehicles continue to grow in complexity and industry standards mature, simulation technology will remain a driving force behind the evolution of transportation, ushering in an era of smarter, safer, and more connected mobility.

To learn more about the role of simulation in the development and design of AVs, listen to our most recent Future Car podcast, The power of simulation to AV design and development.