Porsche Engineering has developed a cutting-edge end-to-end tool chain to create precise track models for virtual testing, crucial for driver assistance systems and automated driving functions. The company’s advanced simulation capabilities have become indispensable, especially for testing scenarios that are rare or too dangerous to replicate in real conditions.
Before the new Porsche Cayenne was unveiled last year, the prototype had already undergone extensive virtual testing, driving more than 1,000 kilometers in simulation for every real-life test kilometer. This digital twin technology allows engineers to simulate and evaluate vehicle performance in a variety of complex situations, ensuring safety and reliability.
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Tille Karoline Rupp, Senior Manager Simulation at Porsche Engineering, highlights the importance of route models for simulation. These digital twins of roads and environments are essential for validating functions such as cruise control in critical scenarios. Traditional manual methods of generating these models are insufficient to meet the growing demand, as billions of test kilometers are required on the path to autonomous driving.
Porsche Engineering uses a variety of data sources, including high-resolution maps and real test drives with its JUPITER vehicles, to create these virtual environments. Tobias Watzl, Development Engineer, explains the necessity for detailed information, down to the millimeter, about road and lane dimensions. Local teams in places like China ensure compliance with specific legal requirements for geo-referenced road data collection.
The process begins with a logical model derived from map data, followed by a three-dimensional visual representation that interacts with sensor models. This model can be adapted to include elements like slip roads and traffic signs, enhancing the realism and functionality of the virtual environment. The integration of 3D graphics software Houdini allows for the creation of realistic surroundings, further refining the simulation.
Automation is key to efficiency, with Porsche Engineering’s tool chain ensuring minimal manual intervention. The system includes quality assurance measures to verify data integrity and compliance with standards, facilitating seamless use in various simulation environments. Collaboration with organizations like Cariad and Asam aims to improve the interchangeability and quality of simulation standards.
As virtual validation becomes more detailed, future developments may include seasonal variations, like snow-covered roads, and enhanced environmental details. Artificial intelligence will play a significant role, automating the analysis of satellite images and extraction of elements from video recordings to accelerate the adaptation of route models.
Porsche Engineering’s innovative approach to virtual validation exemplifies the future of automotive testing, ensuring the highest standards of safety and performance for driver assistance systems and automated driving functions.
Source: Virtual Worlds: Revolutionizing Customer Experience with Precise Track Modeling
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