From 2025, new European Small Series Type Approval regulations require, by law, specialist vehicle manufacturers, such as lower volume sports and supercar makers, to equip vehicles with ADAS technology, such as Lane-Keep Assist (LKA) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
Engineering ADAS features can be a time consuming and expensive process – but driver-in-the-loop simulators can accelerate development rapidly, allowing infinite, safe and repeatable virtual testing in multiple different road conditions, from motorways to British B-Roads to reducing the number of false positives, while at the same time cutting costs by reducing the number of physical prototypes required.
However, effectiveness is determined by how closely the simulator can correlate to a real vehicle – which is where the Dynisma Motion Generator (DMG) leads the market.
Bringing a revolutionary approach to virtual road car development, and having been bred in topflight motorsport, the DMG has the lowest latency (sub-four milliseconds – as demanded by F1), eliminating motion sickness and allowing for realistic, prolonged occupant testing.
The system outperforms other commercially available simulators, which have latency of 15-40ms, and require even experienced test drivers to take regular breaks.
The DMG combines low latency with the highest bandwidth to create the most immersive, realistic, and responsive driving simulation experience in the world – perfect for ADAS development.
Offering high fidelity in ride and vehicle dynamics, the DMG gives better ‘feel’, resulting in realistic virtual testing which allows engineers to make changes that translate into real-world results.
The DMG can be used to develop systems such as Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) ADAS technology, and with ultra-realistic braking performance, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) too. Coupled with Dynisma’s highly experienced engineers, DMGs can help all car makers, not just small series manufacturers, to get the most out of simulator technology and develop every part of their ADAS armoury.
Some models in Dynisma’s DMG range also offer infinite yaw, making the system a game-changer for simulating low speed driving on roundabouts, with no mis-cues.
Driver handover and interaction is another key element of developing autonomous vehicles beyond SAE Level 2 and driving simulators are an ideal environment to assess this safely and reliably. DMGs can also be applied to other dangerous test scenarios, such as a tyre blow out or system fault while in an autonomous mode – situations best evaluated in the virtual environment.
Driver Monitoring systems are also fast becoming commonplace and thanks to the DMG’s high bandwidth, providing more information to the driver and giving them a realistic experience, it is possible to accurately test driver monitoring systems and gather data faster and safer than would be possible on test tracks or public roads.
As ADAS evolves towards SAE Levels 2 and 3 autonomous driving, where features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist take greater control, passenger comfort also becomes a top priority. This presents a unique challenge for car manufacturers: optimising systems to strike a balance between responsive and safe control systems, while maintaining passenger comfort, in terms of the accelerations felt by the occupants and well as their perceived safety.
This is where cutting-edge motion simulators, such as Dynisma’s with passenger-in-the-loop testing, come into play. By placing passengers in a two-seat automotive mock-up mounted on the simulator, engineers can precisely control, monitor and measure the effects of different driving styles on passenger comfort. In summary, Dynisma’s systems can enhance the development of all ADAS technology quickly, cost-effectively, and safely.
What’s more, Dynisma’s simulators bring enormous added value to a car maker enabling it to virtually develop new vehicles in such a wide range of key areas in addition to ADAS, including vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics, propulsion systems, Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH), control systems and Human Machine Interface (HMI), User Experience (UX) and ergonomics.
Ash Warne, Dynisma CEO, said: “Being able to develop ADAS technology cost-effectively and rapidly is vital for all auto OEMs, particularly so for lower volume car makers, who will need to comply with upcoming legislation, yet may not have the same resources as the largest OEMs. Simulation can bring a step-change, allowing infinite, safe and repeatable virtual testing while at the same time cutting cost by reducing the number of physical prototypes required.
“Our Dynisma Motion Generators bring a totally revolutionary approach to car development, enabling near perfect correlation between testing and real life. We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to the potential of our DMG technology in ADAS applications across the board and only see demand accelerating as legislation begins to bite.”
Dynisma’s simulators can accelerate new car development, eliminating the need for multiple, expensive, physical prototypes while enabling countless tests and parallel projects to take place in an efficient, repeatable, sustainable, and closed environment. Dynisma’s technology is already helping global OEMs bring new vehicles to market quicker.
In March, Dynisma was announced as McLaren Automotive’s Official Motion Simulator Partner, a prime example of a lower volume manufacturer whose cars must meet the ADAS legislation.
Developed and built in-house by a team of world-class engineers committed to pioneering solutions in motion generation, Dynisma simulators are being used by leading automotive OEMs and motorsport teams around the world.
As part of its ongoing expansion, Dynisma’s growth saw the opening of its state-of-the-art 15,000-square feet campus in Bristol last year, where the design, development, engineering and demonstration of the company’s cutting-edge simulators takes place for a global customer base by a 90-strong team.
