reproducibility, edge-case exploration, and large-scale execu-
tion. Together, these approaches enable validation under both
diverse and controlled conditions.
New Demands on Regulation
Regulations are evolving in step with technology. New require-
ments such as UN ECE R157 and R171 mandate scenario-
based validation, full traceability, and, in some cases, even
virtual approval paths. This reflects a broader shift: validation
is no longer a one-time event but a discipline that must span
the entire lifecycle.
Safety must be revalidated continuously, especially in the
context of over-the-air (OTA) updates and AI-based functions.
OEMs must therefore establish toolchains and governance
models that combine traditional engineering rigor with the
agility of software-driven development.
A Dual-Speed Reality: Validation Must Support Both Worlds
Modern vehicles operate on two interconnected development
cycles. V&V must be agile enough for frequent software re-
leases while remaining robust and traceable to meet regulato-
ry and safety standards. Validation used to center on hardware
systems, pre-launch testing, and fixed homologation gates.
Today, functions are software-defined and data-driven, valida-
tion extends across the lifecycle, and approval is increasingly
modular, built on confidence in the toolchain rather than on
single milestones.
Our Approach: Lifecycle-Aligned V&V
At AVL, we support this transformation with an integrated
suite of ADAS/AD testing solutions – spanning real-world envi-
ronments, virtual platforms, and centralized test management.
Test Management and Coordination: Effective validation
requires orchestration. Coordinated planning, execution, and
“Validation is shifting from a one-time task to
a lifecycle discipline, ensuring safety and trust
throughout continuous development.”
traceability across all environments are essential for consis-
tency, auditability, and strategic alignment.
Real-World Testing: Proving ground and on-road campaigns
remain fundamental. They provide critical insights into sys-
tem behavior, sensor performance, and compliance. More
importantly, they generate high-quality data that feeds scenar-
io extraction and virtual validation pipelines.
Virtual Testing and Simulation: To expand test coverage and
accelerate development, virtual validation is indispensable. It
enables reproducibility, supports the identification of edge cas-
es, and allows scalable test execution. As regulations increas-
ingly accept simulation for approval purposes, its strategic
relevance will continue to grow.
Smarter validation is essential as the number and complexity
of tests increase, while development timelines become shorter
and more iterative. Keeping pace with evolving protocols
and accelerated release cycles requires scalable toolchains,
efficient test workflows, and reliable evaluation methods. AVL’s
ADAS/AD testing solutions are built to meet these demands
– with infrastructure and expertise that support validation at
scale.
Building Trust Through Testing
In a software-defined mobility landscape, trust is the most
valuable asset, and it must be earned through transparent,
efficient, and credible verification and validation. From data ac-
quisition to simulation, from test orchestration to certification,
AVL delivers proven solutions to validate smarter, scale faster,
and build with confidence. In tomorrow’s mobility, validation
will not mark the end of development, it will remain the foun-
dation for safety and reliability.
Andrea Leitner,
Global Business Segment Manager
ADAS/AD Tools & Solutions
2025