Next Generation
Vehicles
What does the future of mobility look like? What will the cars
of tomorrow be capable of? How will they be powered? What
makes them stand out? Questions like these determine the daily
activities at AVL. Finding the right answers is one of our cross-
divisional core competencies. With the latest virtualization
tools, comprehensive integration expertise, and function-based
systems engineering we support our industry partners with the
challenges of the next generation of vehicles.
HOME OF INNOVATION
New Vehicle Concepts, New Challenges
The wheel of automotive development is turning ever
faster. Time and cost efficiency increasingly determine the
way manufacturers and suppliers do business. New vehi-
cle concepts – be that battery electric or hydrogen propul-
sion systems – also bring a whole new level of complex-
ity. Instead of individual components, it is the system
level that is more important. Previously, many projects at
AVL involved mounting an existing internal combustion
engine in various series or models of vehicles and making
modifications and calibrations. These days, the focus is
on the overall vehicle. With BEVs, for example, the battery
determines the size of the vehicle, the wheelbase, and
even seating comfort, since the seats are usually directly
above the battery. The overall vehicle is developed around
the battery, so to speak.
Meeting Customer Expectations Faster
The next generation of vehicles will be shaped more than
ever by the rapidly changing expectations of end custom-
ers. Comparable to a smartphone, the connected and soft-
ware-based car of the future will always be equipped with
the latest functions. At the same time, the expectation will
be for new functions to be available faster - for example
in the ADAS/AD field. Meaning that time to market will be
significantly shorter. And since customers do not want to
wait, solutions are needed to regularly bring updates and thus
new functions to the vehicle throughout its life cycle.
More and More Virtual Vehicle Development
Virtualization is a key factor in overcoming the outlined
challenges of future generations of vehicles. AVL is a global
pioneer in this area. With advanced simulation methods,
we ensure a rapid transition from component-oriented to
function-oriented vehicle development. Instead of costly and
time-consuming verification and validation using physical
hardware prototypes, we utilize complex vehicle system sim-
ulations. This enables configurations to be defined precisely
at an early stage, meaning that important decisions can be
pushed forward (frontloading) and the entire development
process accelerated.
Virtual Twin Replaces Physical Prototypes
Virtual Twins are pivotal in AVL’s simulation approach. They
are based on the mathematical, physical, and chemical
relationships between the various vehicle components. They
provide profound insights into the behavior and interaction
of the components and systems of the overall vehicle – long
before these actually exist. The Virtual Twin is an extension of
the Digital Twin concept widely used in industry, which com-
bines only certain aspects of data from tests with simulation
models. With the Virtual Twin, AVL accelerates development,
NEXT GENERATION VEHICLES
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