Porsche to use ultra-realistic driving simulators to develop new cars

Porsche Engineering is expanding its activities in the field of driving simulators. The aim is to obtain subjective feedback on new digital functions at an early stage. Porsche is also currently strengthening its infrastructure and is planning to establish a virtual validation center in Weissach, Germany.

The importance of driving simulators

Vehicles and their control systems are becoming increasingly complex, and the number of prototypes is decreasing. Therefore, developers are increasingly using virtual and hybrid testing with advanced modeling methods such as “Software in the Loop”, “Model in the Loop”, “Hardware in the Loop”.

These methods have become the standard for evaluating vehicle parts and systems, but they do not provide an opportunity to evaluate human interaction.

This is why driving simulator tests are being started that also take into account the human perspective.

“By combining driving simulators with HiL systems and continuously expanding the simulation systems, we can obtain subjective feedback on new functions early in the development process, even before prototypes are available,” explains Tille Karoline Rupp, Senior Manager Simulation at Porsche Engineering.

In addition, driving simulators are a cost-effective and safe complement to real-world testing, allowing tests to be carried out under a variety of realistic conditions in real time and to accurately reproduce situations.

Porsche has also developed a virtual testing ground

Realistic real-time driving simulation with a virtual track provides an authentic driving experience.

The driver feels the steering wheel torque and can experience the effects of vehicle rotation, for example when braking. This allows developers to calibrate the function of the car’s stability control system early on, which shortens development times.

Porsche Engineering has created a virtual proving ground where various road sections and weather conditions can be tested.

Porsche currently uses various simulators worldwide to improve the functionality and ergonomics of its vehicles. In addition, the company is constantly expanding its simulator infrastructure to enable even more precise evaluation of driving comfort and acoustics.

About the center in Weissach

According to Porsche, the virtual validation center at the Weissach development center will occupy an area of ​​2,100 square meters, combining all large simulators and creating new mini simulators.

The center will be located in an existing building to avoid additional CO₂ emissions and to use the development center space more efficiently.

Porsche Engineering and Porsche AG will develop a promising system for integrated testing and the transition to dynamic driving simulators.

Driving simulators will be useful in various areas of development in the future, providing an additional tool that will improve scene creation and vehicle modeling capabilities.