Ansible Motion, a global leader in Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulation environments, has formalised a strategic partnership with MdynamiX, a specialist in real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) solutions. The collaboration aims to enhance the early-stage development of advanced vehicle systems, including braking, steering, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), by integrating real hardware with advanced simulation environments.
The agreement comes as Ansible Motion experiences unprecedented demand for its driving simulators from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers across China, Korea, the US, and Europe. With a decline in the availability of physical prototypes and increasing time pressures on engineers, the partnership allows for earlier and more cost-effective validation of critical vehicle features. This provides manufacturers with a powerful tool to refine and test systems before physical prototypes are available.
Dan Clark, managing director of Ansible Motion, commented on the importance of the collaboration: “Prototype vehicles often arrive too late in a development programme, or with restrictive scheduling that limits the fine-tuning of attributes critical to brand identity. Working with MdynamiX allows us to integrate their HIL systems seamlessly with our DIL simulators, giving engineers access to highly representative vehicle systems earlier in the development process.”
The partnership builds on several years of collaboration between the two companies and aims to create a more comprehensive digital product development toolkit. By combining MdynamiX’s expertise in HIL systems with Ansible Motion’s leading DIL simulation technologies, the collaboration seeks to push the boundaries of virtual vehicle assessment.
The demand for digital solutions has grown significantly as manufacturers shift more development and testing procedures into virtual spaces. This shift is driven by the need to reduce reliance on physical prototypes and the increasing complexity of modern vehicle systems. Innovations in steering and braking, along with ADAS, are key focus areas for the partnership, enabling engineers to experience, calibrate, and refine real systems in a virtual environment long before physical testing begins.
MdynamiX’s CEO, Professor Bernhard Schick, highlighted the value of the collaboration in enhancing the realism of driving simulators. “Our expertise in end-to-end MIL/SIL/HIL simulation, particularly in steering, chassis, and vehicle dynamics, complements Ansible Motion’s world-class simulators. By integrating real components into the simulation environment, we can improve the subjective feel and tuning of systems like Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). This allows for more accurate and meaningful evaluations, even when physical prototypes are unavailable.”
The integration of HIL and DIL systems offers significant advantages for development teams. Engineers can now assess both subjective and objective aspects of vehicle systems, allowing for faster decision-making and more effective early-stage development. This is particularly important in the development of ADAS, where precise control and safety are paramount.
As vehicle manufacturers continue to adopt digital solutions to streamline development processes, the partnership between Ansible Motion and MdynamiX is set to play a key role in advancing the capabilities of virtual vehicle assessment. By offering a seamless workflow from Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) and Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) through to physical testing, the collaboration is expected to benefit OEMs and suppliers around the globe.
With increasing pressure on the automotive industry to innovate while reducing costs, partnerships like this are becoming crucial in driving the future of vehicle development.
