T H E A V L M A G A Z I N E F O R P O W E R T R A I N D E V E L O P M E N T , T E S T I N G A N D S I M U L A T I O N
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OUR INDUSTRY IS MOVING
TO A SOFTWARE-DEFINED
ECOSYSTEM”
“
T H E A V L M O B I L I T Y T R E N D M A G A Z I N E
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FOCUS
SPECIAL
SUPPLEMENT
il
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S O F T W A R E S O L U T I O N S
4 Moving Beyond Software
8 Inside the AVL Experience
9 Hello Future! We are Ready to go!
E - M O B I L I T Y
10 Going Green with the AVL E-Tractor Concept
12 Keep on Trucking
14 Making the Fuel Cell Vision a Reality
16 Visualizing Efficiency
18 lIluminating the E-Motor
S T R A T E G I C P A R T N E R S H I P
20 A Future-Focused Partnership for Innovation
22 Relighting New Ideas in Heavy-Duty Mobility
I N T E R V I E W
24 Innovation is in our DNA – Interview with Mario Brunner,
AVL Executive Vice President
D E V E L O P M E N T S P E E D A N D M E T H O D O L O G Y
28 Realizing the Potential of Your Test Field
30 Building a Connected Future
T E S T I N G S O L U T I O N S
32 Our Commitment to Silence
34 Product News
editorial
The nations of the world know that the com-
plete defossilization of transportation, of our in-
dustry, actually of our entire living environment
by 2050, will be one of the most important un-
dertakings of our lifetimes. To achieve this, CO2
emissions must be reduced as quickly as possible
in the next few years by substantially increasing
the efficiency of all types of propulsion systems
and energy production. Electrified vehicles and
hydrogen as net zero energy are the main pillars
on the way to sustainable mobility. Furthermore,
we are facing our customers’ high demand for
more intelligent, connected, comfortable and safe
mobility options. So, it is our highest priority to
support our customers in bringing safe and reli-
able systems into the vehicles and to deliver the
best user experience in this new way of driving.
All this means that we set a greater focus than
ever on software and data. To enable this ac-
celerated transition, it requires a new toolset, a
new mindset, and a new approach to the way
we work. At AVL, we are drawing on our ex-
perience and market understanding to provide
the industry with software tools, testing archi-
tectures, new business models, and the holistic
approach required to develop the vehicles of to-
morrow. We are building the proving grounds
to validate tomorrow’s advanced technologies,
and we are investing in R&D to push innova-
tion even further. We are already transitioning to
a future where electrically powered vehicles are
being designed and exhaustively tested virtually,
before being built to drive themselves in a radi-
cally different automotive landscape.
Our technology is built on the demands of a fast-
moving industry. We trust our skilled scientists,
technologists, engineers and forward-thinkers.
Their unrivalled passion for motion is not just
driven by the need for better solutions today, it
has always driven us and will continue to drive
us. For a brighter future of mobility. For our
future generations. Some call it a distant dream.
We call it reimagining motion.
Helmut List
Chairman and CEO, AVL
Index
Moving Beyond
Software
software solutions
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Every inch of the automotive landscape is changing,
from the complete development process, right through to
the vehicle itself. Market and legislative drivers for cleaner
mobility, alongside innovation in the drivetrain and tech-
nologies such as automated and connected mobility, are
transforming the way vehicles are built. Similarly, as end-
users become more sophisticated, they expect a richer driving experience from their vehicle, in
terms of human-vehicle interface, comfort, driveability, and connected technologies they are
already familiar with in their home, work and personal lives.
This means that vehicles are more complex than ever, featuring a wider variety of highly inte-
grated drive configurations and subsystems. More complexity means new development tools
and methodologies, as well as extra demands on development capacity. This is providing a chal-
lenge for existing OEMs who must keep up with a rapidly changing technological landscape,
and creating opportunities for new entrants to come into the market to potentially disrupt and
grab a slice of the action.
As a result, the vehicle and the development workflow are increasingly becoming dominated
by software ecosystems, and as new entrants with software experience throw their hats into
the ring, traditional OEMs may find themselves needing to accelerate change. Yet for all parties
there are a range of development needs and obstacles they need to be prepared for.
BUILDING ON DECADES OF KNOWLEDGE
With more than seven decades of automotive development experience behind us, we have be-
come accustomed to change, even to the point of driving it in many circumstances. As new
advances, innovations and evolutions have been made, we have long predicted their impact
on mobility and the industry, and we provide tools and strategies to make the most of them.
This foresight has led to a portfolio of solutions that draws on our long-held know-how in ve-
hicle development and which combines it with the latest advances in technology. Whether it’s
products that connect the established tools in the development workflow to drive efficiency and
reduce time to market, frontloading practices that manage complexity and cut costs, or complete
tailored end-to-end solutions for cutting-edge development architectures, we are well-versed in
bringing proven approaches into the present.
This doesn’t mean simply adding new technologies to crowded environments that are already
at peak capacity. But instead it’s about using new tools, new philosophies and new methodolo-
gies to address new technological challenges while extrapolating proven designs and best prac-
tices into future vehicles.
Existing testbeds now talk to simulations and models, for example. Contextualized data de-
livers value throughout the workflow and not just in the domains where it originated. Func-
As the automotive experience
is rapidly becoming an issue
of software, excellence in
software alone is not enough
for success
software solutions
tional prototypes provide a holistic
view of the complete vehicle be-
fore hardware upgrades are made,
and real-world data from the in-
use phase now informs the entire
development process, from con-
cept through to testing, validation
and verification. All of it driven by
software.
In this way established OEMs can
draw on what they have spent de-
cades building, and step forward
with confidence by augmenting and
refining their conventional devel-
opment environments using the lat-
est digital tools. And similarly with
this vast experience under our belt,
we can support the newest entrants
in the automotive market, too.
THE VEHICLE AS A PLATFORM
FOR EXPERIENCE
As new mobility concepts and
components, such as BEV, fuel
cells and e-motors, drive a push
for ultra-efficient systems, we will
increasingly see vehicle differenti-
ation becoming a software centric
issue. Where the traditional powertrain designs must balance complex
mechanical/electrical engineering with subjective driver experiences, new
electrified platforms create a complexity of integration where subjective
driver experience is highly software centric.
This puts new entrants to the market – particularly those who specialize
in the application of data – at an advantage. Yet they too will struggle to
find success with an understanding of software alone. While software will
become the defining attribute of a vehicle and its features, with firmware
upgrades increasingly being the only difference between models, know-
ledge of vehicle hardware and the global automotive landscape and frame-
work is also required. After all, you cannot drive software on its own.
Furthermore, it takes years to develop the international knowledge that
is extremely relevant to the development and market acceptance of new
technologies. Traffic and driving style vary vastly from country to country.
This has big implications for new technologies such as automated driving
systems, and thermal and energy management strategies, which must be-
have differently in Europe, for example, than in countries such as India.
With our worldwide reach and experience we are perfectly placed to part-
ner with new entrants who understand the brains of the machine, but not
necessarily the machine itself, or the nuances of global and regional mar-
ket influences. And similarly, we are in an ideal position to help long-es-
tablished industry partners rise up to meet the opportunities that the soft-
ware revolution offers.
It’s no accident that our experience in both the latest connected technol-
ogies, and the established norms of the automotive industry allow us to
help all parties successfully find their feet in this brave new world of mo-
bility. Indeed, we designed it this way.
OUR INDUSTRY IS MOVING TO A SOFTWARE-DEFINED ECO-
SYSTEM, THEREFORE WE CONTINUE COMBINING OUR EXISTING
GLOBAL SOFTWARE FORCES WITH OUR AUTOMOTIVE DOMAIN
APPLICATIONS KNOW-HOW TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS WITHIN
THIS TRANSFORMATION.”
Dr. Wolfgang Puntigam
Global Business Unit Manager, IODP, AVL
“
software solutions
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DRAWING ON THE PAST TO
CREATE THE FUTURE
Automotive development is too
complex, time consuming and ex-
pensive to leave things to chance.
Rarely are there happy accidents,
and our position as an industry
partner in this ever-changing and
increasingly digital landscape has
been carefully and strategically
designed from the very beginning.
We haven’t simply been a witness
to the evolution of the vehicle, but
have been a guiding force. We’ve al-
ways been aware of industry driv-
ers, of new innovations, and of past
and present trends, and we’ve used
this know-how to create a strategy
for the future, which brings us to
where we are today. Furthermore,
it sets out a direction for tomorrow.
From the digitalization of the de-
velopment process, to the digitiza-
tion of methodologies, to the con-
nection of the different parts of
the toolchain, we have progres-
sively evolved our offering to ca-
ter to the changing needs of the in-
dustry. That means we can support
the conventional discrete V-shaped
development process, and align it
In this issue of Focus magazine you can find out more about how
our digital development solutions are helping to shape the future
of the automotive industry:
Inside the AVL Experience:
Page 8
Visualizing Efficiency:
Page 16
Illuminating the E-Motor:
Page 18
Realizing the Potential of Your Test Field:
Page 28
Building a Connected Future:
Page 30
AS THE AUTOMOTIVE MARKET CONTINUES TO RAPIDLY
TRANSFORM TO A SOFTWARE-CENTRIC ORIENTATION, AVL IS
UNIQUELY POSITIONED WITH BOTH APPLICATION AND SOFT-
WARE KNOWLEDGE. OUR STRONG INDUSTRY INTEGRATION
AND KNOW-HOW, SPECIFICALLY IN NEW TECHNOLOGY
APPLICATIONS, ENABLES US TO RAPIDLY RESPOND TO
CUSTOMER AND MARKET NEEDS.”
Doug Roach
Chief Software Officer, Simulation and Testing Solutions, AVL
with the continuous agile best prac-
tices more commonly associated
with software development.
With the application of tools and
processes from our Integrated and
Open Development Platform, we
can join up the models and simu-
lations in the earliest phases with
the equipment in the test and val-
idation stages, the vehicles on the
proving ground, and also in the in-
use phase. This creates a constant
and valuable flow of data, with val-
ue that increases over time. Our
maturity in this area enables us to
offer something completely unique
for all our partners and customers
– and their customers – throughout
the industry.
CONNECTING THE PAST AND
THE FUTURE
We help our industry partners
adopt process virtualization tech-
niques, using our product design,
test automation, process and da-
ta management tools. Combined
with our application and integra-
tion competence, as well as our
software experience, this results in
a roadmap to software-centric de-
velopment that enables the real-
ization of our customers’ visions
for the next generation of vehicles.
Bringing together both engineering
and software into a holistic devel-
opment package, we are enabling
the industry to thrive in an excit-
ing new world of mobility, limited
not by cost, capability or time, but
only by the boundaries of our vi-
sion and imagination.
“
software solutions
At AVL it is our mission to
simplify complexity, using the best
technology for the best outcomes.
We are now bringing this philoso-
phy to the way we sell our software
products, in a unique and transpar-
ent platform called the AVL Expe-
rience Cloud.
An online showroom that current-
ly contains a selection of products
and will eventually offer our entire
software portfolio, it puts product
features, pricing and ease-of-use
front and center. You can browse
our products in this dynamic en-
vironment, which is built around
four simple concepts.
The new AVL Experience Cloud e-commerce
platform puts the user first, with a human- centric
approach to software provision
Inside the AVL Experience
EXPLORE, TRY, BUY AND LEARN
Experience Cloud offers a quick and straightforward overview of the main
product information at-a-glance, including highlights and benefits, with
more details available when you dig deeper. With no obligation, you can
try before you buy, either by downloading and installing trial versions of
the software, or with a demo cloud version in the showroom, to quickly
and easily access a pre-configured environment including test data and
with the possibility to customize it to specific needs.
Our simple tiered pricing structure lets you choose the best subscription
model for you, under the “Essential”, “Advanced” and “Enterprise” pricing
brackets. Simple, lean ordering and delivery make it easier and faster than
ever before to find and purchase exactly what you need.
This simple platform for finding and buying your tools is also backed up
with an easy-to-use information hub that gives you everything you need
to get up and running and get the most out of your software.
THE HUMAN TOUCH
Experience Cloud is more than just a digital store, and everything you
see online is supported by real humans. A dedicated team of AVL Success
Managers – and additional experts – are on-hand to guide you through the
journey, help you make the best choices, demonstrate the software, and
even tailor your selections to your requirements.
This personal touch is less about making sales, and more about under-
standing the unique needs and challenges of our customers, and ensur-
ing that the solutions they choose from us propel them towards success.
We don’t see our relationship with our customers as being about service
provision, it is instead a partnership with shared values and shared goals.
Explore
Try
Buy
Learn
F I N D O U T M O R E :
experience.avl.com
software solutions
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“You won’t get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it”.
John Lennon’s famous quote illustrates our deepest conviction: Seeing the
big picture is our driving force for turning visions of the future into re-
ality – with courage and decades of experience. We believe that only the
courageous look beyond the horizon and make discoveries that lead to
outstanding innovations. Based on this holistic view we created the new
AVL Experience Cloud as an interactive touchpoint that provides a deep
connection to our customers as well as real-life experiences tailored to
their own needs and visions. Our ‘why’ is based on a deep understanding
of service-driven software tools that optimize workflows, make work life
easier, and enable our clientage to spend more time on the important tasks.
From world-class data analytics to powerful simulation environment solu-
tions, do the impossible with the right tools. AVL Experience Cloud and
its suite of leading technologies are packed with impactful software solu-
tions, including AVL CONCERTO™, AVL CRETA™, AVL CAMEO™
and many more. Plus, the platform helps you learn more about the exten-
sive range of software products with how-to-articles and tutorials, get per-
sonal expert support from our international success managers, or explore
cutting-edge features in more depth during a one-on-one tool demonstra-
tion. Grow your business for today and tomorrow and move ahead with
the power of our stunning digital products.
Hello Future!
We are Ready to go!
The AVL approach to efÏcient test field management
F I N D O U T M O R E :
experience.avl.com
MARTIN REINBACHER
martin.reinbacher@avl.com
KONSTANTINA STROMBERGER
konstantina.stromberger@avl.com
Going Green
with the AVL E-Tractor
Concept
e-mobility
1 0
The latest proof-of-concept
platform reveals the future
of zero-emission off-road
applications