The world’s most adaptable vehicle simulator has been launched by WMG at the University of Warwick by Professor Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer Jaguar Land Rover.

The EPSRC funded 3xD Simulator is one of the world's most adaptable and advanced driving simulators. It is the only simulator of its kind designed specifically to test real-world robustness and usability of smart, connected and autonomous vehicle technology. It will be the centre piece of the Virtual Reality Centre in the National Automotive Innovation Centre – a long term commitment between Jaguar Land Rover, WMG and Tata Motors European Technical Centre.

WMG’s vision is to recreate the world for an intelligent vehicle within the 3xD simulator, replicating complex driving scenarios, changing lighting conditions, communications interference or unexpected events, all in a safe and repeatable environment.

Professor Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover said “Together Jaguar Land Rover and WMG will work to develop the next generation of ideas in key areas such as connectivity, Intelligent Vehicles and Connected and Autonomous technologies. Industry leading simulators like this one will give our research teams a crucial advantage in developing new vehicles that are truly driver focused.”

Using unique signal emulation capability, the aim is to create their own ‘wireless world’ allowing the development of next generation communication protocols. This includes the capability to replicate GPS or 4G signal loss, or even simulate a cyber-attack.

WMG will also be developing approaches to validate sensing technologies like Radar, LiDAR camera and ultra-sonic. Using 30 miles of photorealistic, real world driving routes presented via a 360-degree high definition visuals, accompanied by 3D surround sound and real vehicle motion, they will deliver an immersive experience for driver-in-the-loop technology evaluations.

The success of smart, connected, and autonomous technologies, or intelligent vehicle technologies, will depend upon R&D which can quickly demonstrate safety, security and robustness in order to grow public acceptance. Testing these technologies on-road in real-world driving situations is often complex, uncontrollable and potentially risky for early stage development. It is also reliant on the production of costly physical prototypes.

WMG has built up credibility in the automotive sector through several decades of leading innovative collaborative R&D projects. Their Intelligent Vehicles research brings together several capability areas such as Complex Electrical Systems, Communications, Experiential Engineering, Supply Chains, and Cyber Security. This multidisciplinary approach enables them to understand the full scope of research challenges that will affect the practical implementation of this new technology and build research programmes, with industrial partners, which address real-world challenges.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya comments “There is an ambition to have totally driverless cars by 2030, to make this a reality companies need to invest in R&D. We’re collaborating with the automotive sector, from global companies to SMEs, through intelligent manufacturing to help design this next generation of vehicles.”

Professor Paul Jennings, WMG lead on intelligent vehicle research said “I am looking forward to using this advanced simulator to better understand smart and connected vehicles in a safe, repeatable and realistic virtual environment. We want to help our industry partners accelerate the introduction of this exciting new technology, so that we can all reap the many benefits as soon as possible. Improvements in safety and comfort, and reductions in congestion and energy use will all be made possible”

Notes to Editors

National Automotive Innovation Centre

Being built on the University of Warwick campus, the National Automotive Innovation Centre, is the largest centre of its kind in Europe and is a £150million long-term commitment between Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors European Technical Centre, WMG and the University of Warwick, along with an expanding network of supplier companies. The government (Higher Education Funding Council England) has also provided £15million of funding to support the capital project.

The National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) will develop breakthrough designs, technologies and processes. NAIC will address the shortage of skilled R&D staff across the automotive supply chain, developing the talent required for the demands of emerging technologies and engaging future generations of engineers.

The Centre will provide a critical mass of research capability combining automotive expertise nationally and internationally, as well as an environment to foster collaboration, cohesion and cross-fertilisation of knowledge. Academic and industrial R&D teams will work together using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

WMG, University of Warwick

WMG was established by Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 in order to reinvigorate UK manufacturing through the application of cutting edge research and effective knowledge transfer. WMG is a world leading research and education group and an academic department of the University of Warwick.

WMG has pioneered an international model for working with industry, commerce and public sectors and holds a unique position between academia and industry. The Group’s strength is to provide companies with the opportunity to gain a competitive edge by understanding a company’s strategy and working in partnership with them to create, through multidisciplinary research, ground-breaking products, processes and services.

Every year WMG provides education training to over 1,500 postgraduates, in the UK and through centres in China, India, Thailand, South Africa and Malaysia. Students benefit from its first hand understanding of the issues facing modern industry. All tutors are highly qualified with a background in business or industry.

For more information, contact:

Lisa Barwick, Head of Marketing and Communications, WMG, University of Warwick – 07824 540845 or L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk

 

Further information:

Lisa Barwick, Head of Marketing and Communications, WMG, University of Warwick – 07824 540845 or L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk