Dürr Assembly Products has put a test bench for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles into operation with x-road curve in Korea. dSPACE was involved in the project.
The Dürr Systems AG company, a renowned supplier of manufacturing technology for the automotive industry and others, developed the innovative x-road curve multifunction test bench for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles for the client Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA) and has now successfully put it into operation. KOTSA is a government agency responsible for vehicle and road safety. In Korea, it has a similar function to the TÜV in Germany and is responsible for PTI (Periodical Technical Inspection).
The x-roasd curve project was developed by Dürr Assembly Products in cooperation with dSPACE, a specialist in the simulation of driving scenarios.
Unlike conventional chassis dynamometers, the x-road curve enables free driving with steering movements for cornering. Laser measurement technology records the steering angle of the front axle and a pivoting roller unit automatically compensates for the movements of the front wheels. This means that the vehicle remains positioned in the center of the test bench regardless of the steering wheel position, even at high speeds. In conjunction with the virtual environments created by the project partners, typical traffic situations can be simulated to which the sensors installed in the vehicle must react. In this way, the functionality of driver assistance systems can be tested.
Dürr Assembly Products demonstrated what this looks like in practice to those responsible at KOTSA on its test bench in Püttlingen. For the first time, the experts used any vehicle from the road. They simulated two scenarios:
- The vehicle threatens to leave the road, so that steering intervention is required.
- Triggered by a braking vehicle in front, emergency braking is required.
These and other realistic traffic situations are displayed on a monitor. Radar signals simulate other road users to match the display on the monitor.
Timo Wallscheid, Product Line Manager x-road at Dürr Assembly Products, sees the successful commissioning of the x-road curve as a major step forward in the testing of partially and fully autonomous vehicles: "For the first time, the safety-relevant systems of an unprepared vehicle were tested for their actual reaction in a simulated traffic situation. The steerable function test bench x-road curve from Dürr and the simulation environment from dSPACE complemented each other perfectly."
Dirk Berneck, Senior Manager Engineering Services at dSPACE, sees the new overall validation solution from Dürr and dSPACE as groundbreaking for the testing and homologation of highly automated vehicles by technical testing organizations and explains: "Imaging sensors such as radar and cameras are playing an increasingly important role here. The high-precision traffic and environmental simulation from dSPACE with a comprehensive library of flexibly executable driving situations enables efficient validation of the vehicle and sensors on compact test benches."
The state-owned KOTSA The x-road curve was installed and commissioned at the company's headquarters in Gimcheon and officially presented to the public in mid-March. Representatives from the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation were among those in attendance. Guests also included the Hyundai Motor Company, Mercedes-Benz Korea as well as representatives of the press and other testing organizations such as the German KÜS (Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization of Independent Automotive Experts).
Sensors and actuators in autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles are very complex. In addition, different software versions must be compatible. Dürr Assembly Products, a subsidiary of the Dürr Group, therefore expects that test benches such as the x-road curve will be indispensable in the future, especially as legislators will require such tests as proof of operational safety.
The Dürr Group is one of the world's leading mechanical and plant engineering companies with extensive expertise in the areas of automation and digitalization/Industry 4.0. Its products, systems and services enable highly efficient and resource-saving manufacturing processes in various industries. The Group supplies sectors such as the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and woodworking. In 2021, it generated sales of € 3.54 billion. The company employs around 17,800 people and has 120 locations in 33 countries. The Group comprises the Dürr, Schenck and HOMAG brands and the five divisions
- Paint and Final Assembly Systems: paint shops as well as final assembly, testing and filling technology for the automotive industry, assembly and testing systems for medical products
- Application Technology: Robot technologies for the automatic application of paint, sealants and adhesives
- Clean Technology Systems: exhaust air purification systems, sound insulation systems and coating systems for battery electrodes
- Measuring and Process Systems: balancing systems and diagnostic technology
- Woodworking Machinery and Systems: machines and systems for the woodworking industry.
dSPACE is one of the world's leading providers of simulation and validation solutions used in the development of connected, self-driving and electrically powered vehicles. With the company's end-to-end range of solutions, automotive manufacturers and their suppliers in particular develop and test software and hardware components for their new vehicles long before a new model hits the road.
But the company is not only a sought-after partner in vehicle development; engineers in aerospace and industrial automation also rely on dSPACE's expertise. The offer ranges from integrated solutions for simulation and validation through engineering and consulting services to training and support. The company has more than 2000 employees worldwide. Headquartered in Paderborn, three project centers in Germany and subsidiaries in the USA, Great Britain, France, Japan, China, Croatia and Korea demonstrate the company's global orientation.
