Measuring and
Testing for
Tomorrow’s World
Knowledge is based on testing – and there is no better proof of
this than AVL. Measurement technology and test systems have
been part of our core business for decades. The history of AVL
Instrumentation and Test Systems is characterized by dynamic
processes and innovative solutions for the future.
HOME OF INNOVATION
etween the first quartz pressure transducers of the
1960s and the turnkey test systems for the mobility
requirements of the future lay an exciting journey. And
it began rather by chance: “When our development engineers
found themselves stuck with the usage of current equipment
or tools, they innovated new solutions and methods,” explains
Matthias Dank. This led to the creation of products and sys-
tems that are still successfully in use today in an advanced
form.
The Beginnings of Testing Solutions
Early milestones include gravimetric fuel consumption mea-
surement systems and flue gas measurement equipment.
These were followed by the first digital testbed at the Graz
headquarters in 1969. One year later, Prof. Helmut List – who
was still in charge of the measurement technology division at
that time – decided to establish global sales for fully automat-
ic testbeds. In 1982, AVL’s test experts created a groundbreak-
ing procedure that allowed them to look inside a diesel engine
in real time, causing a significant sensation.
Furthermore, during the 1990s, AVL pioneered the develop-
ment of its initial testbeds for hybrid propulsion systems, a
cutting-edge technology at that time. AVL also showcased its
expertise through lighthouse projects: In 1993, AVL conducted
the first-ever tests of high-performance Formula 1 racing cars
on its testbeds, a capability that continues to this day.
Large-Scale Turnkey Solutions
With the new millennium, the strategic business unit AVL
Instrumentation and Test Systems established itself as a
turnkey provider. Containerized solutions were an important
step in this process: This modular concept enables flexible
scaling of engine testbeds. The proof of concept was provided
by Motorenhaus III (MH3), which AVL built for DaimlerChrysler
in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim starting in 2002. “MH3 was the first
testing factory on several floors – this technology has become
the standard today,” says Urs Gerspach.
Growth Through Acquisition and Collaboration
Over the past 20 years, the growth strategy has also been
accelerated by targeted company acquisitions, for example,
in the area of emission measurement technology with the
takeover of Pierburg Instruments, or the expansion of the
chassis dynamometer business with AVL Zöllner. This resulted
in a steady stream of pioneering projects – for example, most
recently with the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Our collaboration with Microsoft and various investments also
stimulate our steady growth. One example of investment is
AVL SET, which offers power Hardware-in-the-Loop test sys-
tems to customers in the field of automotive development – a
completely new methodology for using e-machine emulation
technology to test propulsion inverters.
Another example is the partnership with Greenlight Innovation
Corp. The company is based in Vancouver, Canada and is a
global provider of test and production facilities for hydrogen
TESTING SOLUTIONS
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