Milan, Italy, December 13th, 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, announced today that it was honored with the prestigious 2023 Pirelli Innovation Supplier Award. The award was presented during the annual Pirelli Supplier Day, a distinguished event where Pirelli recognizes the outstanding contributions made by its top suppliers in the areas of sustainability, quality, innovation, performance, and service.

Out of Pirelli's extensive network of 15,000 suppliers worldwide, VI-grade emerged as one of the five suppliers that significantly contributed to the achievement of Pirelli's objectives throughout the year. The Supplier Day, held at Pirelli's headquarters in Milan, saw the participation of over 70 strategic suppliers from 18 countries, representing approximately 40% of the Group's global annual purchases.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice Chairman at Pirelli, commented: “Our company always sets itself ambitious goals that would not be possible without the support of those who work alongside us. Sharing our company values and targets with the entire supply chain allows us to constantly improve, particularly when it comes to sustainability and innovation which are key, strategic elements that underpin our global leadership in the High Value Segment and sustainability indices.”

Guido Bairati, Managing Director of VI-grade, expressed his gratitude, stating, "I was thrilled to have the honor of receiving the 2023 Pirelli Innovation Supplier Award on behalf of VI-grade. This award recognizes the VI-grade team's commitment to providing simulation software and simulators that help automotive companies develop vehicles and key components efficiently. It's a great achievement that belongs to every VI-grade employee who contributes to our mission of reducing costs and physical prototyping during the vehicle development process."

The 2023 Pirelli Supplier Day highlighted the alignment of VI-grade's goals with Pirelli's focus on Innovation, Sustainability, Growth, and Competitiveness. In his speech, Guido Bairati underscored VI-grade's dedication to creating innovative and sustainable products. He stated, "Every year our simulators are driven over 9,000,000 kilometers worldwide, saving tons of CO2 emissions annually.”
 

ダルムシュタット（ドイツ）、2023年12月7日 – VI-gradeは、当社の最新ドライビングシミュレータDiM300がVehicle Dynamics Internationalの2023年の年開発ツール・オブ・ザ・イヤー賞「Development Tool of the Year」に選ばれたことを発表しました。この名誉ある賞は、ビークルダイナミクスのエンジニアが自動車の優れた設計とセットアップを評価できるようにする最新のツールを表彰するものです。VI-gradeのDiM300はこのカテゴリーで注目を集め、シミュレーション主導の車両開発ソリューションにおける革新と卓越性への同社の継続的な取り組みを裏付けるものとなりました。

高い評価を得ているDiM DYNAMIC Driving Simulator技術の進化形であるDiM300は、動作範囲の拡大やトライポッド速度の向上など最先端の機能を導入し、開発エンジニアに車両開発で採用できるリアルさと汎用性のレベルを新たに拡大しました。このシミュレータは、VI-gradeの大規模シミュレーション技術を大きく進化させたもので、全世界で26台が設置・稼動している従来のDiM150およびDiM250モデルの成功を基盤としています。

2023年11月に正式に発売されたDiM300は、すでに市場に大きな影響を与えています。DiM300の1号機は2023年に日本のHONDAに採用され、2号機は2024年に日本のエンジニアリング・サービス・プロバイダーであるS&VL株式会社（プログレス・テクノロジーズ・グループ）に導入される予定です。

VI-grade社のManaging Director のGuido Bairati氏は、次のように述べています。
「我々の最新の革新技術であるDiM300が年開発ツール・オブ・ザ・イヤー賞を受賞したことに興奮しています。この最新モデルは、当社の大規模ドライビングシミュレータ技術の大きな飛躍を象徴するものであり、お客様の開発努力の促進に役立つものと確信しています。その強化された機能と広い動作領域は、エンジニアの車両開発への取り組み方を確実に改善するでしょう。」
 

ダルムシュタット（ドイツ）、2023年11月21日 – VI-gradeは、世界有数の独立系エンジニアリング・サービス・プロバイダーであるEDAGグループが、VI-gradeのケーブル駆動DiM500シミュレータを中核とする史上初のEDAG Zero Prototype Labを開設することを発表しました。この革新的な施設は、ドイツのヴォルフスブルクにあるEDAGの開発センターで現在建設中で、2024年第1四半期に稼動する予定です。

EDAGグループはDiM500シミュレータを、ADASや 自動運転車を含む車両運動や新しいモビリティといった重要な分野におけるOEMサービスを中心に、グローバルなエンジニアリングサービスのすべてに採用する予定です。VI-gradeの最先端シミュレータ技術への戦略的投資により、EDAGグループはバーチャル開発とテスト能力を大幅に拡大し、競合他社より一歩リードすることを確信しています。特にEDAGグループは、総合的なサービスラインナップにDiM500ケーブル駆動シミュレータを加えた世界初のエンジニアリングサービスプロバイダーとなります。EDAG Zero Prototype Labには、VI-gradeのDiM500ケーブル駆動シミュレータに加え、全周波数帯対応の高機能シミュレータ（COMPACT FSS）と、ドライビングシミュレータを既存および将来のHIL（Hardware-in-the-Loop）システムに接続するためのAutoHawk Hardware-in-the-Loopプラットフォームが追加されます。これらの統合されたツールを活用することで、EDAGグループはエンジニアリングサービスの可能性を世界規模で広げることができ、Zero Prototypesのビジョンを現実のものとすることが期待されます。
 
EDAGグループのSenior Expert – Vehicle MotionのJonas Grötzinger氏は、次のように述べています。
「EDAGでは、優れた技術という基本能力を最新技術と融合させることに専念しており、世界のモビリティ業界で信頼されるパートナーとしての地位を確固たるものにしています。VI-gradeの最先端シミュレータ技術を当社の新しいZero Prototype Labに導入することは、当社の技術革新に対する共通の取り組みであり、世界のエンジニアリングサービスの未来に大きなインパクトを与えるものです。」

 
VI-gradeのSenior Expert Simulation Driven DevelopmentのMichael Hoffmann氏は、次のように述べています。
「EDAGのZero Prototype Labに当社のDiM500ケーブル駆動シミュレータが採用されたことを報告できることを嬉しく思います。DiM500は、独自のケーブル駆動システムをベースとした、これまでで最も高性能な大規模シミュレータであり、EDAGはエンジニアリングサービスの提供をかつてないレベルにまで高めています。このシミュレータを新たに設立したEDAG Zero Prototypes Labに統合することで、EDAGは試作レス開発への転換という大きな流れに乗ることができ、他社との差別化を図ることができます。この画期的な施設で、明日のモビリティを形づくる素晴らしいプロジェクトが実現することを心待ちにしています。」
 

ダルムシュタット（ドイツ）、2023年11月16日 – VI-gradeは、チェコ共和国を拠点とする自動車業界のパイオニアの1つであるシュコダ・オート社（Škoda Auto a.s.）に最新鋭のCOMPACT NVH Simulatorを採用したことを発表しました。この案件は2023年8月に完了し、VI-gradeにとって重要なマイルストーンとなりました。シュコダ・オートはVI-gradeのCOMPACT NVH Simulator を、車両NVH開発を進める上で非常に重要なツールとして選択し、乗り心地と騒音の正確な評価を可能にしました。

シュコダ・オートがこの製品を採用した理由は、VI-grade独自の技術にあります。このシミュレータは、車両とパワートレインの音と振動の特性を正確に評価することができます。COMPACT NVH Simulatorは、実験室環境における実際のドライビング条件を忠実に再現するように設計されており、路面の視覚化を含め、仮想プロトタイプの振動音響挙動をシミュレートする機能が優れています。この機能は、データの理解を簡素化し、意思決定プロセスに顧客の視点を積極的に取り入れることで、バーチャル技術による車両開発の重要な要素となっています。

シュコダ社のNVH ManagerのTomáš Beneš氏は、次のように述べています。
「VI-gradeを採用した最大の理由は、VWグループ内でノウハウを共有できることです。また、VI-gradeはNVH先進アプリケーションのための信頼できるパートナーであることが証明されています。さらに、COMPACT NVH Simulatorは、ベントレーとフォルクスワーゲンの担当者からシュコダのエンジニアに推奨され、NVHシミュレーションソリューションの業界リーダーとしてのVI-gradeの評判を高めています。」

VI-gradeのSenior Director of Product ManagementのDave Bogema氏は、次のように述べています。
「VI-gradeは、現地の販売代理店であるSVMTechとのパートナーシップのもと、シュコダ・オートのNVHにおける技術的な取り組みに革新的なソリューションと専門知識を提供し、シュコダ・オートのNVH技術の追求をサポートできることを光栄に思います。」
 
 

ダルムシュタット（ドイツ）、2023年11月9日 – VI-gradeは、高い評価を受けているDiM DYNAMIC Driving Simulator技術の拡張版であるDiM300 Driving Simulatorの発売を発表しました。この新しい先進的なシミュレータは、数多くの実績を誇るDiM150およびDiM250の成功に基づき、VI-gradeの大規模シミュレータの最新の進化を象徴するものです。

鷺宮製作所の執行役員の会津和則氏は、次のように述べています。
「DiM300は、動作範囲の拡大やトライポッド速度の向上など、多くの最新機能を搭載しています。このシミュレータは、実質的にモーションキューイングなしで大きな平面変位を行う素晴らしい能力を発揮し、エンジニアにかつてないレベルのリアリズムと多用途性を提供します。」

VI-gradeは、2011年から鷺宮製作所と長期的なパートナーシップを結び、最先端のモーションプラットフォームを開発し、ドライビングシミュレーション技術の最前線に立っています。2012年に発表されたDiM150は、システムレベルシミュレーションへの次世代アプローチの基礎を築きました。この成功に基づいて2018年にDiM250を発表し、トライポッドの移動量を増やし、より長い定常加速度を実現する拡張リニアアクチュエータを搭載しました。

現在、世界中で26台のDiM150およびDiM250シミュレータが稼働しています。これらの最新鋭シミュレータを採用することで、大手自動車メーカー、サプライヤー、モータースポーツチーム、研究所は、テストとシミュレーションのギャップを埋め、「ゼロプロトタイプ・ビジョン」を達成するために不可欠な、これまでにないレベルのリアリズムと高い汎用性を体験することができます。

DiM300は、VI-gradeのドライビングシミュレーション技術の最新進化形です。DiM300の1号機は2023年に日本のHONDAに採用され、2号機は2024年に日本のエンジニアリング・サービス・プロバイダーであるS&VL株式会社（プログレス・テクノロジーズ・グループ）に導入される予定です。
 
VI-grade社のManaging Director のGuido Bairati氏は、次のように述べています。
「DiM300をお客様に紹介できることを嬉しく思います。この最新モデルは、当社の大規模運転シミュレーション技術を大きく飛躍させるものであり、お客様の開発努力の促進に役立つものと確信しています。DiM300の拡張された機能と広い動作領域は、間違いなくエンジニアの車両開発への取り組み方を向上させるでしょう。」
 

Darmstadt, Germany, October 26th , 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the official recap of its highly successful 2023 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits held on May 24-25 in Udine (Italy), September 20 in Novi, MI (USA), September 21 in Tokyo (Japan) and October 18 in Zhaoyuan (China). Over 750 representatives from major automotive and transportation OEMs, Tier1 suppliers, motorsport teams, research centers and partner companies attended the global event series in-person. VI-grade's EMEA flagship event as well as the inaugural spin-off Summit in China were livestreamed and attracted an additional 1,000 virtual attendees, resulting in an overall record attendance.

A total of 55 Keynote and Technical Presentations by leading OEMs and suppliers provided the worldwide VI-grade community with exclusive insights into how major global players in the automotive industry are using simulation, driving simulators and HiL technologies to accelerate vehicle development and achieve the Zero Prototypes vision. All presentations were recorded and are accessible free-of-charge on the VI-grade website and VI-grade’s YouTube Channel. The official after movies of all four events can be found at the following links: 

1. After movie – EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit
2. After movie – North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit
3. After movie – Japan ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit
4. After movie – PRC ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit

The European, North American and Chinese ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits were all held at SimCenter facilities, giving attendees the opportunity to experience VI-grade's driving simulators, software and HiL solutions live and in action. With over 20 application-specific demo sessions available, attendees gained first-hand exposure to the value and benefits of VI-grade's state-of-the-art simulation tools, underscoring the critical role simulation plays in refining the development process and thus accelerating innovation. 

“The content was well balanced from product introduction to examples of simulator application in different industries. I much appreciated the quality of the presentations.”, commented an attendee of the North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit.

“This was an excellent and very well-organized event, with even more concrete examples of how driving simulators are being utilized in the industry. It was also a great opportunity to talk with other companies at the networking reception and realize the importance of horizontal connections”, added an attendee of the Japanese ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit. 

The resounding success of this global event series across the world's major automotive hubs is a testament to the importance of the Zero Prototypes mission in the automotive industry, with VI-grade being at the forefront of this movement. Looking ahead to 2024, VI-grade is pleased to announce that the 2024 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit will be held on May 14-16 at VI-grade’s SimCenter and main technological development center in Udine, Italy. Dates for the spin-off events will be announced shortly but will traditionally be held in the fall of 2024.

“We are truly impressed by the great interest our worldwide community has shown in our series of ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits, as evidenced by the number of attendees and the consistently positive feedback," commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “We look forward to building on this year's success as our ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits become one of the automotive industry's premier events. We’re pleased that our ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits have become a forum where automotive manufacturers and suppliers can demonstrate tangible success in closing the gap between CAE simulation and physical testing on the road to zero prototype sign-off.”

Darmstadt, Germany, October 12th , 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, and JEDAi, a consulting startup specializing in smart automotive digital transformation, today announced a strategic partnership. This collaboration will benefit customers by enabling fast digital transition, new process definition and implementation, people empowerment, and capitalisation for increased added value at all stages of development.

With over 10 years of experience in automotive simulation and driving simulators, JEDAi is uniquely positioned to advise automotive companies in defining and implementing digital transformation initiatives. Under this new partnership, JEDAi will help companies looking to adopt driving simulator technologies by guiding them through the implementation of virtual engineering workflows, driver coaching and onboarding. They will also support VI-grade’s customers in fully harnessing the potential of their state-of-the-art driving simulators. This includes  implementing advanced digital twin processes, utilizing robust virtual vehicle and tire models, and utilizing data intelligence services, such as neural networks and AI, to ensure optimized performance. 

These services bring significant benefits to VI-grade customers, as JEDAi provides valuable guidance on how to best utilize the data generated from driving simulators, for faster, more informed decisions.

JEDAi also offers in-depth knowledge and services focused on tire modeling, integration within the simulation workflow and the difficult art of correlation between the testing and the digital twin environment for a robust virtual development ecosystem.

“At VI-grade, we are very excited to partner with JEDAi and introduce their expertise in digital transformation to our global customer base”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “JEDAi's many years of experience mean we can leverage their experience to assist a wide range of customers in building robust vehicle and tire models, thus optimizing their usage on our driving simulators, and scaling up their simulator activities.”

“JEDAi's advanced digital expertise and state-of-the-art VI-grade software and hardware is the perfect combination to create the ultimate virtual environment. This is a unique offering in the automotive industry that covers all aspects of the digital transformation process, from the premises to the most advanced usage for maximum value creation", added Mathieu Grob, Co-Founder and COO at JEDAi.

Darmstadt, Germany, October 5th, 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, and Meccanica 42, a leading provider of electronically controlled mechanical devices designed for on-road vehicles and advanced HiL driving simulators, today announced they’ve signed a strategic partnership. This new alliance consolidates VI-grade as an official reseller of Meccanica 42’s innovative hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) and mechanical hardware-in-the-loop (mHiL) solutions and tools, enabling customers to accelerate their vehicle development processes. Through this reseller agreement, VI-grade gains the direct distribution rights for Meccanica 42's standard and custom HiL solutions, benefiting its extensive customer base, including leading OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and worldwide research centers.

Meccanica 42 will become a system integrator, leveraging the expertise of its team to seamlessly integrate its HiL solutions with VI-grade simulators. This ensures a smooth transition for customers into this new environment with minimal workflow impact. Another benefit of this partnership is the addition of Meccanica 42’s HiL test benches to VI-grade's SimCenter facilities worldwide, guaranteeing their availability and accessibility at key global automotive hubs. 

Based in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy, Meccanica 42 specializes in the development, design and manufacture of advanced mechanical hardware-in-the-loop test benches that seamlessly integrate key vehicle components and related ECUs within a virtual simulation environment. Meccanica 42’s electronically-controlled mechanical devices are specifically designed for on-road vehicles and advanced HiL driving simulators, and are typically installed in safety-critical systems. These systems are fully compatible with VI-grade's wide range of driving simulators via both direct and remote connections. This allows automotive engineers to carry out comprehensive, final hardware component validation tests within a safe space and under reliable conditions, from anywhere worldwide. The benefits of providing a simulated environment where tests can be performed in a reliable, repeatable manner include obtaining better data in less time and at a lower cost. Development engineers can also be assured that the system being simulated is properly developed and pre-calibrated before it’s tested on a real vehicle.


Meccanica 42's solutions consist of EPSiL (steering system), BrakeiL (braking system), together with WSE (Wheel speed Signals Emulator) and CamiL (camera setup), which can also be fully customized to meet the unique requirements of individual clients. 

“We at VI-grade are thrilled to join forces with Meccanica 42 and serve as a reseller for their state-of-the-art HiL solutions, particularly in chassis, steering, brake, and camera rig applications”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “This partnership not only allows us to offer our valued customers a comprehensive product portfolio but also strengthens our position in the rapidly expanding HiL market driven by increasing electrification, growing vehicle complexity and the development of vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems."

“We look forward to collaborating more closely with VI-grade in the future, combining our core competencies and experience in Hardware-in-the-Loop, driving simulation and simulators”, added Claudio Annicchiarico, CEO at Meccanica 42. “This partnership enables us to benefit from VI-grade's long-standing sales and technical expertise as well as their extensive customer base worldwide. This reseller agreement between VI-grade and Meccanica 42 also signifies our shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving challenges of the automotive industry.”

On October 19th, 4pm CET, industry experts Claudio Annicchiarico of Meccanica 42 and Alessandro Baldari from VI-grade will host an exclusive webinar titled "Revolutionizing Vehicle Development with Real-Time Simulations and HiL Testing".

The joint webinar will unveil how real-time simulations and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) analysis synergize physical components with virtual vehicle models in a secure environment, eliminating the need for physical prototypes. This transformative approach accelerates the development process, empowering engineers to swiftly evaluate design alterations and make mission-critical decisions. Registration is available at: https://mobex.io/webinars/revolutionizing-vehicle-development-with-real-time-simulations-and-hil-testing/

ウォリックシャー州ヌニートン（イギリス）、2023年9月28日 – VI-gradeは、イギリスでは初となるDiM250 DYNAMIC Driving Simulatorを、世界規模で車両属性エンジニアリングを提供するHORIBA MIRAのイギリス本社内にあるウォリックシャー州ヌニートンに新設されたドライビングシミュレータセンターに設置したことを発表しました。

400万ポンドを超える投資により設立されたこの新しい拠点は、既存の自動車メーカー、新規自動車メーカー、サプライヤーが、それぞれのブランド・アイデンティティを忠実に具現化した自動車を開発できるよう支援します。バーチャル・ツールを活用したこの新機能は、持続可能でコスト効率の高い方法で、車両属性の開発を加速させます。

この DiM250 DYNAMIC Simulator は、新しいドライビングシミュレータセンターの中核をなす、世界で最も先進的かつ高性能なダイナミックモーション・ドライビングシミュレータです。これを活用することで、実機による試験や試作の必要性を大幅に削減し、それらに伴う二酸化炭素排出量を削減することができます。VI-grade シミュレータを使用して開発された車両モデル1台は、最大で14,000トンの二酸化炭素換算量（CO2e）を削減できる可能性があります。(*) HORIBA MIRAのドライビングシミュレータセンターを利用する顧客は、2021年に取得したVI-gradeのCOMPACT Simulatorも利用できます。

HORIBA MIRA社のManaging DirectorのDeclan Allen氏は、次のように述べています。
「新しく開設されたドライビングシミュレータセンターによって、今日の様々に変化する顧客の期待に応えるため、車両の特性を改良するためのコストと複雑さが大幅に削減されます。この施設は、HORIBA MIRAの能力を強化し、属性主導の開発手法を実現するものであると同時に、ADAS、HMI、XiLにわたる複雑なエンジニアリング開発をサポートする重要なツールでもあります。」
 
VI-grade社のManaging Director のGuido Bairati氏は、次のように述べています。
「VI-grade と弊社のシミュレータが、HORIBA MIRA のドライビングシミュレータセンターに採用されたことを大変嬉しく思います。VI-gradeのDiM250 DYNAMIC SimulatorとCOMPACT Simulatorが、自動車メーカーや サプライヤーの将来の自動車プログラムやエンジニアリングの課題をサポートできることを大変嬉しく思います。」

ドライビングシミュレータセンターでは、HORIBA MIRAの主観に基づく属性手法とともに、バーチャルのエンジニアリングプロセスの最初の段階にHuman-in-the-Loopを組み込んでいます。属性開発エンジニアは、多くの場合スイッチひとつで、正確かつ無制限の比較を迅速かつ低コストで行うことができます。これは、最適化された車両を実現するために、相反する属性のバランスを取る作業において特に重要です。その結果、実機による試作を作成するよりも、開発サイクル全体を通して、より多くの情報に基づいた主観的な決定を下すことができ、多くのケースで必要な試作の数を大幅に減らすことができます。主に、車両運動特性、騒音、振動、ハーシュネス（NVH）、ドライバビリティといった駆動特性に焦点を当てていますが、先進運転支援システム（ADAS）、ヒューマン・マシン・インターフェース（HMI）、x-in-the-Loop（XiL）アプリケーションなど、複雑さと重要性が増している機能全般にわたる総合的なエンジニアリングも含みます。

HORIBA MIRAは約80年にわたり、自動車エンジニアリングの革新において先駆的な役割を果たしてきました。業界が転換期を迎える中、HORIBA MIRAは引き続き業界をリードし、ネット・ゼロへの移行において顧客をサポートするため、エンジニアリング能力とインフラを整えています。ドライビングシミュレータセンターは、二酸化炭素を大量に消費する実機による試作品への依存を大幅に削減することで、ネット・ゼロの目標を実現する重要な役割を担っています。

(*) ’VI-grade Driving Simulator Avoided Emissions’ report, September 2022.
 

 
New this year is a special focus on tire modeling and simulation. Tire modeling is a complex and challenging, yet nonetheless essential, task for vehicle developers. By accurately modeling the tire's behavior, vehicle developers can improve the safety, performance, and efficiency of their vehicles. Acknowledging this critical need, this year’s ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit program will culminate in a live, expert panel discussion on "Tire Modeling for the Virtual World" moderated by Mike Stackpole, President of Stackpole Engineering Services. The session brings together experts from leading tire model suppliers including Calspan, cosin scientific software, Fraunhofer ITWM and MegaRide to explore the future of tire design and the seamless integration of tire models into VI-grade’s solutions and driving simulators.

The technical agenda comprises a selection of over 16 high-level keynote and technical presentations where attendees will hear first-hand from simulation thought leaders in the global automotive industry. These industry leaders will demonstrate how they employ VI-grade’s simulation, driving simulators and Hardware-in-the-Loop technologies to accelerate new vehicle development and get ever closer to the “zero prototypes” vision. 

Attendees will come away with valuable insights from a diverse range of organizations, including Applus+ IDIADA, BASF, CEVT, Eastern Michigan University, General Motors, HBK SVES, Hitachi Astemo Americas, Mcity (University of Michigan – College of Engineering), Multimatic, Stellantis, VI-grade and many more. 

The full conference agenda, including logistics details, is now available for download at https://www2.news.vi-grade.com/NA_ZPS_2023_Official_Program. 

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH VI-GRADE’S FULL RANGE OF SIMULATION, DRIVING SIMULATOR AND HIL SOLUTIONS

As a complement to the insightful technical presentations by leading industry players, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a series of driving simulator sessions tailored to specific automotive applications. In this way attendees can experience for themselves the value VI-grade’s driving simulators bring to the development process.

 The following demo sessions will be available for attendees to explore: 

• Test Drive the brand-new Full-Spectrum (FSS) Simulator for Ride Comfort Studies
• Experience Mixed-Reality on a DESKTOP Simulator
• Conduct HMI and Driving Monitoring Studies on a STATIC Simulator
• Evaluate NVH performance on a DESKTOP NVH and COMPACT NVH Simulator
• See the large DYNAMIC DiM250 Simulator in action for motorsports applications
• Build, tune and validate real-time vehicle models and ADAS scenarios and sensors with VI-CarRealTime and VI-WorldSim
• Test integrated HiL systems with AutoHawk

All registered attendees will receive a link to the online demo booking application shortly before the event. Demo bookings can also be made on-site during the event.

NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR NETWORKING & SOCIALIZING

VI-grade's objective with the ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits extends beyond delivering an exceptional and highly relevant technical program. The company is equally committed to promoting extensive networking opportunities within the industry and connecting users of its technology with one another. 

While the afternoon will be dedicated to customer presentations, participants will have the opportunity to network during the demo sessions in the morning and trade notes on their experiences on the various simulators. 

The one-day event wraps up with an evening reception and informal dinner in a relaxed atmosphere, starting at 6 p.m. Attendees can socialize and discuss both the latest trends in driving simulation and their own progress towards the “Zero Prototypes” vision.

VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the 2023 North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit: 

• DIAMOND: Multimatic
• PLATINUM: Applus+ IDIADA, SAGInoMIYA
• GOLD: Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, cosin scientific software, HBK, Imtec Engineering, MegaRide, Stackpole Engineering
• SILVER: 3D Mapping Solutions, Smart Eye
• VI-CERTIFIED: Hexagon

“As we approach the 2023 North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, I am thrilled to see the overwhelming interest and engagement from our community. With over 130 registrations and a packed agenda featuring industry leaders, interactive demos, and insightful discussions, this event is set to be another milestone in our journey towards the 'Zero Prototypes' vision”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “I’m especially excited about the “Tire Modeling for the Virtual World’ panel to address this complex yet critical topic. We look forward to bringing together the innovators and key players of the global automotive industry to learn how they are currently using simulation and driving simulators to accelerate the development of new vehicles and bring them ever closer to virtual sign-off.”

Limited space is still available for the 2023 North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit. Registration will remain open until capacity is reached. Event registration is available at: 
/en/about/events/users_conferences/2023-na-vi-grade-zero-prototypes-summit-novi-mi-usa/.

Novi, MI, USA; August 2nd, 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today released the final agenda for its highly anticipated North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit. Building on the resounding success of its inaugural edition in 2022 with over 130 in-person attendees, this one-day event will take place on September 20th, 2023, at the state-of-the-art Multimatic SimCenter in Novi, MI (suburban Detroit). As with VI-grade’s annual flagship event held at its main technical development center in Udine, Italy, the North American ZERO PROTOTYPES summit will feature a combination of high-level keynote and technical presentations. In addition, attendees can attend application-specific demo sessions to experience VI-grade’s simulation, driving simulator and hardware-in-the-loop technologies first-hand. 
 

• DESKTOP and DESKTOP NVH Simulator 
• COMPACT FSS and COMPACT NVH Simulator
• STATIC Simulator 
• DiM250 DYNAMIC Simulator 

Turin, Italy, July 12th , 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, and Addfor, a leading provider of AI-driven software solutions, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership solidifying VI-grade as the exclusive distributor of Addfor's innovative Sybille® software for the automotive market. Sybille®’s capability of generating real-time value forecasts of signals, effectively eliminates transmission delays and enables control actuation anticipation, thereby accelerating the vehicle development process. 

Addfor's Sybille® software seamlessly integrates with VI-grade’s driving simulators and HiL solutions, elevating their capabilities to new heights. Sybille® harmonizes all simulator cues – ranging from motion, graphics to sound and tire squeal - increasing accuracy and and refining the immersive driving experience.  Sybille®’s AI-based algorithm also facilitates the remote connection of a vehicle model with a driving simulator or a HiL test bench in different locations, significantly transforming global collaboration among the various vehicle development stakeholders. 

By empowering its simulation tools with Artificial Intelligence capabilities, VI-grade is ensuring that its driving simulators and simulation software continue leading the market with innovative solutions for the automotive industry that mirror global megatrends. This reseller agreement enables VI-grade now to directly distribute Sybille® to its customers, further expanding its product offering and reinforcing its leadership position in the driving simulator and HiL market. 

Through this partnership Addfor will now have access to VI-grade's extensive customer base, including leading OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and research centers with over 120+ simulators installed worldwide. This strategic alliance empowers Addfor to further commercialize and establish its Sybille® software in the automotive market by introducing it to VI-grade’s vast network. Additionally, the implementation of Sybille® will extend to VI-grade's SimCenter facilities across the globe, ensuring its availability and accessibility at various automotive hubs.

“We are thrilled to announce our exclusive reseller agreement with Addfor and the addition of their innovative Sybille® software to our product portfolio”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director of VI-grade. “The integration of Sybille® into our driving simulators and HiL solutions unlocks new possibilities for our customers, with the potential to revolutionize their vehicle development process. Moreover, by combining AI-based algorithms with our tools, we are embracing a global megatrend, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve and effectively meet the ever-evolving demands of the dynamic automotive industry.”

“We are excited to partner with VI-grade and leverage their sales organization as well as extensive customer base to introduce our Sybille® software to the automotive market”, added Ruben Borchetto, Executive Director and Founding Partner of Addfor. “This reseller agreement opens new avenues for Addfor to furher commercialize and establish our innovative AI-based solution in collaboration with VI-grade's global network.”

Udine, Italy, June 29th , 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced it will expand its acclaimed ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit Series globally. Following the highly succesul 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit held in May at VI-grade’s SimCenter Udine (Italy), the company will again expand its premier event to the world’s three major automotive hubs. The upcoming summits will  be held in Novi, (Detroit) MI (USA), Tokyo (Japan), and Zhaoyuan (China), and will showcase VI-grade's commitment to spreading the Zero Prototypes vision and fostering collaboration worldwide.

Building upon the tremendous achievements of the EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, which attracted a record-breaking attendance of over 270 in-person participants and an additional 800 virtual attendees, VI-grade will again bring together automotive OEMs, suppliers, research centers and universities to showcase the progress they’ve made on their journey towards achieving zero prototypes and virtual sign-off. 

VI-grade’s ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit has become a must-attend annual event, providing exclusive insights into how key players in the global automotive industry are currently using simulation, driving simulators and hardware-in-the-loop technologies to accelerate new vehicle development. 

The upcoming ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits are as follows: 

North American ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit
Date: September 20th, 2023
Location: Multimatic SimCenter Novi in Novi, MI (Suburban Detroit, Michigan)

Returning for its second edition, the NA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit will once again take place at the state-of-the-art Multimatic SimCenter Novi. Keynote and technical speakers from renowned organizations such as General Motors, Hitachi Astemo, Eastern Michigan University and many more will discuss in technical detail the gains they have made towards achieving Zero Prototypes in their development processes. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to attend numerous application-specific demo sessions and gain valuable insights into how VI-grade’s simulation, driving simulator and hardware-in-the-loop technologies have already and will continue to revolutionize the vehicle development process.

Japan ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit
Date: September 21st, 2023
Location: Shinagawa Conference Center in Tokyo, Japan

Now in its third year and held entirely in Japanese, the Japan ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit will feature speakers from industry-leading companies such as Honda R&D, Nissan Bridgestone Japan and many more. The event will also give attendees the opportunity to experience VI-grade’s smaller-scale driving simulators, software and hard-ware-in-the-loop technologies live and in action during interactive demo sessions.

PRC ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit
Date: October 18th, 2023
Location: Applus+ IDIADA’s SimCenter in Zhaoyuan, Yantai, China 
For the first time ever, VI-grade is bringing its renowned ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit to China. Held in local language, this exclusive event is dedicated to executive-level engineering managers and experienced design engineers from the Chinese automotive industry. The summit, hosted at Applus+ IDIADA’s SimCenter in Zhaoyuan, Yantai, will feature industry leading speakers from NIO, CICV, CHERY and many more. As with the other ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits, attendees will have the opportunity to wittness VI-grade’s simulation tools, driving simulators and hardware-in-the-loop technologies live and in action. 

“We look forward to bringing our ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit to North America, Japan and China in fall 2023”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “These extraordinary events aim to unite the automotive industry across continents, fostering collaboration and driving the automotive sector towards an innovative future. This is also a great opportunity for us to demonstrate not only our Zero Prototypes vision and our tools to the Japanese, North American and Chinese communities, but also to gain insights into the remarkable projects and advancements our customers have accomplished using our simulation solutions.”

VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the regional ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits: 

• PLATINUM: Applus+ IDIADA, Multimatic, SAGInoMIYA
• GOLD: Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, cosin scientific software, HBK, Imtec Engineering, MegaRide, Progress Technologies, Solize, Stackpole Engineering Services
• SILVER: 3D Mapping Solutions, Smart Eye
• VI-CERTIFIED: Hexagon

Registration for all three regional ZERO PROTOTYPES Summits is now open at /en/about/events/users_conferences/. Additional details about the events will be added to the VI-grade website as they become available.

Udine, Italy, June 1st , 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the official recap of its highly succesful 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, which was held from May 23rd – 25th at VI-grade’s SimCenter in Udine, Italy. With a record-breaking attendance of over 270 in-person and additional 800 virtual attendees following the livestream on LinkedIn, this year's ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit marked the largest gathering to-date of VI-grade’s global driving simulator community. 

The summit’s theme of  “Join us on the Road to Zero Prototypes” embodied the journey towards a prototype-free vehicle development process and virtual sign-off, recognizing that the path itself holds immense value. Achieving Zero Prototypes remains the ultimate development goal, and VI-grade customers showcased the significant progress they’ve already made along this journey during the three-day event.
  The 2023 ZPS featured 27 inspiring keynote and technical presentations from renowned simulation thought leaders in the global automotive industry. These industry experts demonstrated how they leverage VI-grade’s simulation, driving simulators, and Hardware-in-the-Loop technologies to accelerate new vehicle development, bringing them ever closer to realizing the vision of Zero Prototypes.

Day 1 of the summit highlighted presentations from market leading companies such as Applus+ IDIADA, Bridgestone EMIA, Bugatti Rimac, CEVT, Dromo, HBK, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maserati, Mazda Motor Corporation, Meccanica 42, MegaRide, Pagani Automobili, Pirelli Tyre, Politecnico di Milano, Tenneco, and Volkswagen.

On Day 2, attendees were treated to presentations from Barco, CAE Value, Chassis Autonomy, Ferrari, Ford Motor Company UK, Hitachi Astemo, HORIBA MIRA, Hyundai METC, Jaguar Land Rover, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Moog, Multimatic, Pirelli Tyre, Politecnico di Milano, and Volvo Cars. 

The PDF versions of the presentations are already available for download on the VI-grade website. The video content will be shared on VI-grade's YouTube channel as it becomes available. The official aftermovie of the event can be found at this link https://youtu.be/3SIcT726wpo. 
  The ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit provided a forum for major announcements pertaining to VI-grade’s business and product developments, including:

• Launch of the COMPACT Full Spectrum Simulator: The summit unveiled VI-grade's new COMPACT FSS Simulator, an unparalleled, significant addition to the company's driving simulator product line. The COMPACT FSS Simulator addresses what had been until now the long-standing demand from vehicle design and development engineers to experience and evaluate ride motion, vibration, and sound within a single, small footprint simulator. 
• Global ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit Series Expansion: Demonstrating VI-grade's commitment to the Zero Prototypes challenge, the company announced the expansion of its global summit series. On September 20th, VI-grade will host its second North American summit at Multimatic SimCenter in Novi, Michigan, followed by a Japanese summit on September 21 in Tokyo. Finally, on October 18th, the first-ever ZPS summit dedicated to the Chinese automotive community will take place at the new SimCenter in Yantai, China, in partnership with Applus+ IDIADA. These events aim to unite the industry across continents, inspiring collaboration and driving the automotive sector towards an innovative future.
• 2023 Virtual Formula Award Ceremony: In tight competition between 130 teams from all over the world, the following winners of the 2023 edition of the Virtual Formula competition were announced during the event:
  • Optimization Category: UniBo Motorsport, Alma Mater University of Bologna, Italy
  • Digital Twin Electric Category: Squadra Corse PoliTO, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • Digital Twin Combustion Category: WUT Racing Team, Wuhan University of Technology, China

"The 2023 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit was an exceptional success, unveiling impressive metrics from our customers. With notable achievements such as a 50% reduction in test time, 30% to 40% reduction in development time, and 98% accuracy in performance prediction using VI-grade tools”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “Once again it was a great pleasure to welcome our valued customers, partners, sponsors and colleagues at our SimCenter Udine, providing them with hands-on experiences on our simulators as well as networking opportunities and high quality keynote and technical presentations. I very much look forward to our upcoming ZERO PROTOPYES Summits in North America, Japan, and China, where we will continue this inspiring journey together” 

INDUSTRY SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit:  

• PLATINUM: Applus+ IDIADA, HORIBA MIRA, SAGInoMIYA
• GOLD: Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, cosin, HBK, Imtec Engineering, Meccanica 42, MegaRide, Moog, Multimatic
• SILVER: 3D Mapping Solutions, domeprojection, Fraunhofer ITWM, Joanneum Research, Konrad Technologies, Rebel Dynamics, Smart Eye, Sound To Sight
• BRONZE: BE CAE & Test, Screenline
• VI-CERTIFIED: Hexagon, rFpro

Udine, Italy, May 17th, 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, and Sound To Sight (STS), a visionary company specializing in unique sound design solutions for transportation domains, today announced their strategic partnership. This newly formed alliance brings together the technical and creative expertise of both companies, combining NVH simulation and Active Sound Design to create unparalleded driving experiences for customers worldwide.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone in the field of NVH simulation and Active Sound Design, offering numerous benefits to the automotive industry. Sound To Sight uses a unique, cutting-edge sound design method to create tailored and brand-aligned sound profiles for vehicle manufacturers. Their expertise enables the development of immersive soundscapes that embody a brand’s identity and heritage, evoking powerful emotions. These innovative sound designs can then be accurately reproduced and seamlessly integrated into VI-grade's NVH simulator allowing test drivers and decision makers to experience and evaluate them first-hand during simulated driving scenarios. This empowers vehicle manufacturers to first create unique sound designs with Sound To Sight and immediately test-drive them in VI-grade's NVH simulator, reducing the need for physical prototypes. 

“We’re excited to enter into this new strategic partnership with Sound To Sight”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “Combining Sound To Sight’s sound design expertise together with real-time human-in-the-loop virtual prototype simulations provided by VI-grade simulators exemplifies our commitment to the zero-prototype strategy. Vehicle design and development teams can decide on the exact right sound of the vehicle, evaluating the holistic vehicle experience of the sound design sound in context with all other sounds, vibration, motion and other factors in a dynamic, virtual environment, much more efficiently, and long before, a physical prototype could be made.”

“We are thrilled about this new partnership, which has already demonstrated success through a collaborative customer project in 2022 with a renowned Italian car manufacturer”, added Antoine Châron, Co-founder of Sound To Sight. “VI-grade and STS have worked together on an interior active sound design project, achieving impressive results thanks to the synergistic expertise of the two companies. We look forward to embark on this strategic partnership and pushing the boundaries of unique sound design”

In addition, Sound To Sight will participate as a SILVER sponsor in VI-grade’s ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, to be held on May 23-25, at SimCenter Udine. At their booth, Sound To Sight will show a selection of their sound designs on a VI-grade NVH DESKTOP Simulator for all attendees to experience live

Udine, Italy, May 11th, 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the final agenda for its highly anticipated 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, to be held from May 23 - 25, 2023 at SimCenter Udine. In addition to the physical event, already at 95% capacity, VI-grade will also offer a live broadcast on LinkedIn of all summit presentations for those unable to attend in-person. 

SLATE OF SPEAKERS BOASTS A WHO’S WHO AMONG GLOBAL SIMULATION THOUGHT LEADERS

With over 20 high-level technical presentations to select from, attendees will hear first-hand from simulation thought leaders in the global automotive industry. These industry leaders will showcase how they employ VI-grade’s simulation, driving simulators and Hardware-in-the-Loop technologies to accelerate new vehicle development and get ever closer to  the “zero prototypes” vision. 

Attendees will gain valuable insights from Applus+ IDIADA, Bugatti Rimac, Bridgestone EMIA, CEVT, Chassis Autonomy, Dromo, Ferrari, Ford Motor Company, Hitachi Astemo, HORIBA MIRA, Hyundai METC, Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati, Mazda Motor Corporation, Mahindra & Mahindra, MegaRide, Multimatic, Pagani Automobili, Pirelli, Politecnico di Milano, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Volvo Cars, as they demonstrate their use of VI-grade technology to reduce the need for physical prototypes. 

For those unable to attend in person, the LinkedIn Live stream of the summit presentations provides an excellent opportunity to join the conversation and stay abreast of the latest advancements in automotive simulation technology. The official summit program is also available for download at https://www2.news.vi-grade.com/EMEA_ZPS2023_Official_Program 

“We are excited to bring together global simulation thought leaders at our 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “This year’s program promises to be our most comprehensive yet and we look forward to showcasing the innovative ways in which our customers are using simulation to accelerate vehicle development and reduce the need for physical prototypes. The fact that the summit is almost at full capacity is a testament to the importance of this topic for the automotive industry.” 

Limited space is still available for the in-person 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit.  Registration will remain open until capacity is reached.   Event registration is available at /en/about/events/users_conferences/2023-emea-vi-grade-zero-prototypes-summit-udine-italy/ 

Registration for the live broadcast will be done through LinkedIn.

Registration for conference day 1: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:7062391966650523648/ 

Registration for conference day 2: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:7062395071840571393/

ミシガン州グランドラピッズ（アメリカ）、2023年5月4日 – VI-gradeは、2023年5月15～18日にミシガン州グランドラピッズで開催されるSAE Noise and Vibration Conference & Exhibitionで初披露される全周波数帯域対応の高機能COMPACTシミュレータ（FSS）の発売を発表しました。

COMPACT FSS Simulatorは、小さな設置面積のドライビングシミュレータで乗り心地、振動、音響を体験・評価したいという車両設計・開発エンジニアのニーズに応え、VI-gradeのドライビングシミュレータ製品ラインを拡張するものです。

ドライビングシミュレータは通常、1つの属性のみに焦点を当てる為、車両評価プロセスにズレや制限などを抱えてきました。VI-gradeの画期的なCOMPACT FSS Simulatorは、0.5Hzから20kHzまでの全周波数帯域対応の高機能シミュレーションを提供することで、評価者は一次および二次ドライビングモーション、振動、音響を一度に体験することができ、車両運動性能とNVHアプリケーションを一つの小型シミュレータに統合することができます。乗り心地評価、モータースポーツへの応用、シート評価、車両全体の品質評価に適したCOMPACT FSS Simulatorは、従来のヘキサポッドシミュレータよりも手頃な価格のオプションを用意しています。この革新的でユニークなドライビングシミュレータは、自動車開発プロセスを加速させるだけでなく、設計エンジニアの技術革新能力を向上させるという、自動車業界を支援するVI-gradeの理念をさらに強化し、実証するものです。

VI-gradeのSenior Director of Product ManagementのDave Bogema氏は、次のように述べています。
「新しいCOMPACT FSS Simulatorは、精密かつ正確なバーチャルプロトタイプ評価のための理想的なツールであり、エンジニアはより高い信頼性を持って車両設計を決定することができます。VI-grade の AutoHawk リアルタイムコンピュータを搭載した COMPACT FSS Simulatorは、エンジニアが実機による試作を行うことなく、車両の複数の特性を体験し、車両のフィーリングやサウンドを純粋に評価・理解するのに役立ちます。」

 
COMPACT FSS Simulatorは、SAE Noise and Vibration Conference & Exhibitionで発表され、参加者はブース#311で実際に体験することができます。VI-gradeは親会社であるHBKと共にこの展示会に出展し、「Confidence in Innovation - Empower the Innovators（革新への信頼-革新者に力を）」という共同メッセージを実現します。

ヨーロッパの自動車業界のお客様や、SAE Noise and Vibration Conferenceに参加できないお客様向けに、VI-gradeは5月24-25日にSimCenter Udineで開催されるZERO PROTOTYPES Summitで新しいCOMPACT FSS Simulatorを発表します。
詳細および参加登録は /en/about/events/users_conferences/2023-emea-vi-grade-zero-prototypes-summit-udine-italy/ をご覧ください。
 

北京（中国）、2023年4月26日 – VI-gradeは、中国の国家研究機関「China Intelligent and Connected Vehicles Research Institute」（CICV）にケーブル駆動型DiM400ドライビングシミュレータを設置し、試運転に成功したことを発表しました。このドライビングシミュレータは、中国・北京にあるCICVの新しいエンジニアリング施設に設置され、高機能なシャシー、コックピット、ドライビング開発のために、自動車OEMやサプライヤーがレンタルできるようになりました。

 
CICVは、先進技術開発と技術革新の加速を目的とした高度な技術サービスを中国の自動車業界に提供することに加え、シミュレータ＆センサーテスト、Driver-In-Loopラボ、Vehicle-In-Loopラボ、フィールド＆路面ラボ、EEIアーキテクチャラボ、サイバーセキュリティラボ、OTAラボ、パイロットプロダクションセンター（Pilot Production Center）を含むサービスプラットフォームの一部としてDiM400を採用します。



CICV社のVice PresidentのZhan Haiting氏は、次のように述べています。
「Driver-in-the-Loopアプローチは、インテリジェントカーやコネクテッドカーを改善し、検証するための先進的なテスト手法であり、VI-gradeのケーブル駆動DiM400ドライビングシミュレータは、従来のシャシー開発だけでなく、コックピットの最適化やインテリジェントドライビングをサポートする高いダイナミック性能を備えています。この新しいシミュレータとその他の試験設備により、CICVは、先進的な技術開発と技術交流を支援するイノベーション・エコシステムを備えたサービス・プラットフォームを提供しています。」

VI-grade社のManaging Director のGuido Bairati氏は、次のように述べています。
「CICVに当社のドライビングシミュレータDiM400が設置され、ケーブル駆動のシミュレータ技術が中国の自動車市場に導入されたことを嬉しく思います。DiM400はCICVにとって最適なツールであり、彼らの既存の研究・技術サービス能力を最大限に補強するものです。DiM400は、革新的なケーブル駆動システムにより広い可動域を実現し、インテリジェントでコネクテッドな自動車の開発に不可欠な、非常にリアルな運転体験と没入感を提供します。」

DiM400シミュレータには、モーションキューイング、車両モデル、グラフィック環境、アクティブテクノロジー管理用の VI-gradeソフトウェアが備わっています。さらに、コックピットには、ドライバーの生体信号の取得と処理、高度なADASとHMIシミュレーションのためのドライバーモニタリングシステムを搭載しています。
 
 

Udine, Italy, April 5th, 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the preliminary agenda of its 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, to be held from May 24th – 25th, 2023 at its SimCenter in Udine, Italy. The Summit kicks off with a reception for all attendees on May 23rd at 6pm, followed by a 2-day conference packed with high-level Keynote and technical presentations as well as live driving simulator demos. The Summit concludes on May 26th with user group meetings and software training sessions. 

Building on last year’s success which attracted over 220 in-person attendees, the 2023 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit once again boasts a top-tier selection of speakers from industry-renowned companies, providing attendees with exclusive insights into their journey towards zero prototypes and virtual sign-off. Specifically curated, high-level keynote and technical presentations will feature representatives from Applus+ IDIADA, Bugatti Rimac, CEVT, Chassis Autonomy, CICV, Dromo, Ford Motor Company, Hitachi Astemo, HORIBA MIRA, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda Motor Corporation, MegaRide, Multimatic, Pirelli, Politecnico di Milano, Volkswagen and Volvo Cars. Additional presenters will be announced shortly.

New State-of-the-Art Driving Simulator to be Unveiled at EMEA Zero Prototypes Summit
One of the major highlights of this year’s summit will be the debut of a new, state-of-the-art driving simulator. As an added bonus of attending the Summit, ZPS attendees can be among the first to test drive it. Participants can also experience VI-grade’s entire family of driving simulators in exclusive, dedicated demo sessions.  These sessions will provide attendees with an invaluable firsthand experience where they will gain insight into how VI-grade's simulation tools add value to the development process.

“We are excited to unveil the preliminary agenda of our highly anticipated 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “These presentations will provide our valued customers, partners and followers with exclusive insights into how key players in the global automotive industry are currently using simulation and driving simulators to accelerate the development of new vehicles and bring them ever closer to virtual sign-off.”

Sponsors and Dedicated Exhibition Area
VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit:  

• PLATINUM: HORIBA MIRA, SAGInoMIYA
• GOLD: Applus+ IDIADA, Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, HBK, Imtec Engineering, Meccanica 42, MegaRide, Multimatic
• SILVER: 3D Mapping Solutions, domeprojection, Fraunhofer ITWM, Konrad Technologies, Smart Eye
• BRONZE: BE CAE & Test, Screenline
• VI-CERTIFIED: rFpro

Sponsors will be present both at the dedicated exhibition area where they’ll showcase their technologies, as well as at live demo sessions, where their products and solutions are also directly integrated into VI-grade’s driving simulators.

Registration for the 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit is open at https://conference.vi-grade.com/. Additional details about the event will be added to the VI-grade website as they become available.

Darmstadt, Germany; March 23rd , 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, Chassis Autonomy, an Anglo-Swedish start-up that designs and manufactures fail-operational actuation systems for highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles, and CAE Value, a Swedish tech company that provides high-end simulation and optimization solutions, today announced a strategic partnership specifically focused on improving the way chassis components such as steering systems for autonomous vehicles are designed, tested, and validated. 

This strategic partnership provides all three companies with mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities to strategically advance autonomous vehicle development, providing significant advantages for the autonomous vehicle market as well as for their respective companies. This partnership allows VI-grade to apply its simulation software, driving simulator and Hardware-in-the-Loop technology to the ADAS/AV market, implementing specific L3, L4 and L5 testing scenarios to be used at VI-grade’s  SimCenters worldwide. These will also be made available on VI-grade’s VI-CarRealTime and VI-WorldSim simulation software platforms. Chassis Autonomy will gain access to VI-grade’s virtual test systems to both develop and demonstrate the capability of their products to their existing and prospective customers in a fully virtual test environment, all the while supported by CAE Value’s technical experts. 

"We are excited to enter into this strategic partnership with Chassis Autonomy and CAE Value," said Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “Their expertise in fail-operational actuation, for highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles are designed to maintain normal steering operation, even in the event of a system fault, which perfectly complements our own virtual test solutions. This partnership will allow all three companies to leverage each other's unique strengths, reinforce our value propositions and expand our customer base, potentially creating even more cross-selling options where the use of driving simulators is indispensable.”

"We are thrilled to partner with VI-grade and CAE Value," commented Thomas Li, Co-founder and CTO at Chassis Autonomy. "This collaboration advances our ability to both develop products and demonstrate the performance of our steering system products in a virtual environment using VI-grade’s driving simulators and software. The opportunity to introduce VI-grade’s extensive automotive customer base to our products and solutions is especially mutually advantageous.”

“We are very excited to partner with VI-grade and Chassis Autonomy and look forward to supporting Chassis Autonomy and incorporating VI-grade’s technology into their development process for Autonomous Vehicles”, said Johnny Engström, co-founder and CEO at CAE Value. 

Chassis Autonomy will present on "Developing Fail-operational L3, L4, and L5 Chassis Actuation Systems using an Integrated DiL and HiL Approach" during VI-grade's 2023 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, which will take place on May 24-25, 2023, in Udine, Italy. 

For further information on Chassis Autonomy, please visit https://www.chassisautonomy.com 

For further information on CAE Value please visit https://www.caevalue.com/

Udine, Italy, March 9th, 2023 – VI-grade, the global provider of human-centric simulation-driven vehicle development solutions, today announced the preliminary roster of speakers and sponsors for its 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit, to be held on May 24th – 25th, 2023. The Summit will kick off with a reception for all attendees on May 23rd at 6pm. As in the previous year, the in-person event will be held at VI-grade’s state-of-the-art SimCenter facility in Udine, located in the north-east of Italy.

The 2023 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit is specifically tailored to the global driving simulator community, providing attendees with exclusive insights into how industry-leading OEMs, suppliers, universities and research centers leverage VI-grade’s cutting-edge simulation, driving simulator and hardware-in-the-loop technology to reduce their reliance on physical prototypes in their quest to ultimately attain virtual sign-off. Specifically curated, high-level keynote and technical presentations will feature representatives from Applus+ IDIADA, CEVT, Ford, HORIBA MIRA, Mazda, Pirelli, Politecnico di Milano, and Volvo Cars. Additional presenters will be announced shortly.

ATTENDEES CAN EXPERIENCE VI-grade’s DRIVING SIMULATORS FIRST-HAND

In addition to a high-caliber speaker lineup, attendees can sign up for exclusive driving simulator sessions, where they can experience firsthand how VI-grade’s leading simulation tools add value to the development process. These tools provide significant advantages and benefits as the development process is refined and made more human-centric. 

SUPPLEMENTAL, HANDS-ON TECHNICAL TRAINING SESSIONS

In addition to keynote presentations and product demos, VI-grade is also offering on-site workshops for its flagship software products, VI-CarRealTime and VI-WorldSim. These fee-based training courses will take place on May 26th and are aimed at experienced users who want to expand their existing product knowledge as well as learn about the new functionalities and capabilities of VI-grade’s Software products. 

The 2023 ZPS event will also host two complimentary User Group sessions on May 26th for Driving Simulator and NVH customers, respectively. These User Group sessions will provide  valuable insights into the latest advancements in capabilities and technology development. Additionally, attendees will have a unique opportunity to share feedback and make requests directly to the VI-grade product development teams. This interaction will help to ensure that the needs and concerns of customers are addressed in future developments, thereby further enhancing the value of this annual must-attend event.

“We are excited to unveil the first lineup of speakers and sponsors for our highly anticipated 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director at VI-grade. “These presentations will provide our valued customers, partners and followers with exclusive insights into how key players in the global automotive industry are currently using simulation and driving simulators to accelerate the development of new vehicles and bringing them ever closer to virtual sign-off.”

VI-grade would like to acknowledge and thank the following industry partners for their support and sponsorship of the 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit: 

• PLATINUM: Rebel Dynamics, SAGInoMIYA
• GOLD: Applus+ IDIADA, Barco, Concurrent Real-Time, HBK, Imtec Engineering, Meccanica 42, MegaRide, Multimatic
• SILVER: 3D Mapping Solutions, domeprojection, Fraunhofer ITWM
• BRONZE: BE CAE & Test, Screenline
• VI-CERTIFIED: rFpro

Sponsors will be present both at the dedicated exhibition area where they’ll showcase their technologies, as well as at live demo sessions, where their products and solutions are also directly integrated into VI-grade’s driving simulators.

Registration for the 2023 EMEA ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit is now open at https://conference.vi-grade.com/. Additional details about the event will be added to the VI-grade website as they become available.

東京（日本）、2023年3月2日 – VI-gradeは、日本の自動車産業の主要企業と密接に連携している日本有数のエンジニアリングサービスプロバイダー、プログレス・テクノロジーズグループにDiM250 DYNAMIC Driving Simulatorのエクステンション版を導入することを発表しました。このドライビングシミュレータは、DiM250と同じ特許構造をベースに、より長いトライポッドアクチュエータによって稼働スペースが拡張されたもので、プログレス・テクノロジーズグループの新しいエンジニアリング拠点に設置される予定です。

この先進的なドライビングシミュレータの導入により、プログレス・テクノロジーズグループは、日本の自動車メーカーやサプライヤーにバーチャルテストのサービスを提供します。テスト環境を提供するだけでなく、高度なシミュレーション技術や実験技術を背景に、プラントモデルの開発、評価、開発プロセス改革提案までワンストップのソリューションを提供します。デジタル、バーチャルの活用により開発効率の向上、製品品質向上、開発期間短縮といったあらゆる製造業で求められる課題解決を目指しています。

プログレス・テクノロジーズグループ代表取締役社長の中山岳人氏は、次のように述べています。
「VI-gradeのDiMシミュレータを当社のエンジニアリング施設に導入することができ、大変うれしく思います。Driving Simulatorは従来の「走る・止まる・曲がる」という自動車の走りを磨くことはもちろんの事、自動運転システム、先進安全制御システムの機能検証を安全に行う事ができます。
一方で、Driving Simulatorは非常に高価な試験装置であり、使いこなすには高い技術と多くのノウハウが必要です。弊社はDriving Simulatorのハードルを低くし、より多くの自動車関連企業の皆様に活用して欲しいと考えております。これによりお客様にこれまでにはないシミュレーションとバーチャルテストの環境を提供し、自動車開発を効率化することが可能になります。我々が従来から提供しているエンジニアリング技術や近年力を入れているMBSE、MBD技術と合わせることで、その効果はより大きくなると確信しています。
また、日本におけるDriving Simulatorの学際的な研究は欧州に比べて盛んではありません。弊社は積極的に国内の大学・研究機関と協力して、人間工学などの分野にも貢献できることを楽しみにしております。」

VI-gradeのJapan County Managerである吉井亨氏は、次のように述べています。
「プログレス・テクノロジーズグループにDiM250 DYNAMIC Simulatorのエクステンション版を新しいエンジニアリング拠点に導入していただき、お客様のゼロプロトタイプにまた一歩近づけることを嬉しく思っています。このドライビングシミュレータの導入により、お客様に最高品質のエンジニアリングサービスを提供できるようになるとともに、自社の次世代自動車の研究プロジェクトも大きく前進させることができます。」

プログレス・テクノロジーズグループについて
プログレス・テクノロジーズグループは、機械、電気/電子、ソフトウェア/ITの各分野のエンジニアが集まった、意欲的で高い技術力を持つチームです。製造業のイノベーションをテーマに、日本の大手メーカーに設計開発プロセスにおける技術サービスを提供しています。この度、プログレス・テクノロジーズグループは、既存の技術提供のみならず、開発プロセスそのものの改善を支援するため、高度な技術と豊富な経験を持つエンジニアのスペシャリストチームを社内に設立しました。新部門では、主に以下の業務を行います。
ドライビングシミュレータを用いた各種実験・計測・技術コンサルティング、シミュレーション（CAE）モデル開発、実験計測受託、性能設計（MBSE、MBD）コンサルティング　など
また、お客様に新しい体験を提供する当社独自のプロダクトの開発にも取り組んでまいります。
詳細については、https://progresstech.jpをご覧ください。

ダルムシュタット（ドイツ）、2023年2月15日 – VI-gradeは、本日、高性能レーシングカーの設計、開発、製造を専門とする世界的に有名な企業であるDallara社にAutoHawkを導入することを発表しました。車種が複雑化し、開発サイクルの短縮を求めるレーシングチームの高い要求に応えるため、Dallara社は今回、Concurrent Real-Timeを搭載したVI-gradeの新しいHiLプラットフォームをプロセスに統合しました。

16コアの強力なリアルタイムシステムであるAutoHawk 16の導入により、Dallara社は複雑な車両運動モデルやタイヤモデルを用いてドライビングシミュレータ（静的および動的）を実行し、車両やパワートレインECU、ウェットブレーキシステムなどのHiLサブシステムに接続することができます。AutoHawk 16を導入することで、ワークロードを複数のコアに分割し、高度なリアルタイム要件を確実に満たすことができるため、より信頼性の高い精密なシミュレーションの恩恵を受けることができます。また、これによりDallara社のドライビングシミュレータの高い性能と柔軟性が将来的にも実現されることになります。

Dallara社のHead of DiL Activities & Track PerformanceであるAlessandro Moroni氏は、次のように述べています。
「新しいAutoHawk 16により、我々は世界中のレーシングチームに優れた高性能レースカーと他にはないサポートを提供する能力を高めることができると確信しています。私たちは、シミュレーション能力において次のステップに進み、クライアントにさらなる価値を提供できることを期待しています。」

VI-grade社のEMEA HiL Sales ManagerのAlessandro Baldari氏は、次のように述べています。
「Dallara社と提携し、競争の激しいモータースポーツ業界で成功し続けるために必要なツールを提供できることを誇りに思います。AutoHawkとの連携は、ハードウェア、ソフトウェア、そしてインテグレーションサービスを網羅した、費用対効果の高い、完全でオープンなソリューションに対する業界の需要が高まっていることを明確にしています。これは、VI-gradeの高度なシミュレーションソリューションがもたらす価値を実証しており、企業は進化し続ける業界で一歩先を進むことができます。」

AutoHawkの詳細については、/en/products/autohawk/ をご覧ください。

ダルムシュタット（ドイツ）、2023年2月2日 – シミュレーションと実車テストのギャップを埋めることで製品イノベーションを加速させるソフトウェア製品とシミュレータを提供する会社であるVI-gradeは、本日、ゼロプロトタイプの実現を目指す2023年のイベントおよびウェビナーの日程を更新したことを発表しました。世界の自動車業界からできるだけ多くの参加者を集めるため、EMEA、北米、日本のサミットの日程を以下のように変更しました。

1. インターナショナル / 欧州 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit : 2023年5月24日～25日(新日程)、SimCenter Udine （イタリア）にて開催
2. 北米 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit : 2023年 9月 20日（新日程）、Multimatic SimCenter （アメリカ ミシガン州・ノビ）
3. 日本 ZERO PROTOTYPES Summit : 2023年9月21日、東京（日本）

前回のZPSイベントの成功に続き今回も、自動車業界の主要なグローバル企業がゼロプロトタイプとバーチャルサインオフの達成に向けてシミュレーション、ドライビングシミュレータ、HiLを積極的に活用している事例をコミュニティ向けにご紹介する予定です。ZPSイベントの参加者は、VI-grade社のシミュレータをライブで試乗・体験できるユニークな機会を得ることができます。また、VI-gradeのソリューションを活用し、開発期間の大幅な短縮とイノベーションの発展を目指す業界の専門家から直接話を聞くことができます。各イベントの詳細、講演者やスポンサーの情報については、近日中に発表される予定です。

VI-gradeは、第1四半期に複数のプラットフォームやメディアで無料のウェビナーやイベントを開催し、弊社が自動車産業をゼロプロトタイプに近づけるための詳細や事例を世界中の皆様にご説明します。VI-gradeのゼロプロトタイプの専門家であるMichael Hoffmann（マイケル・ホフマン）氏が提供するこれらのウェビナーは、企業がプロトタイプ中心のテスト環境からアップフロント主導のアプローチに移行し、製品開発をより人間中心にする方法について紹介しています。
 
以下の日程で、実機のプロトタイプの使用を大幅に削減する重要な戦略と成功事例について詳しくご説明します。

• 2023年2月8日 午後4時（CET：中央ヨーロッパ時間:ウェビナー“On the Road to Zero Prototypes”、Mobex by Automotive World(英語)
• 2023年3月1日 （時間未定:ウェビナー“On the Road to Zero Prototypes”、Jishulink(中国語)
• 2023年3月2日 （時間未定:ウェビナー“On the Road to Zero Prototypes”、GoToWebinar(日本語)
• 2023年3月7日 午後13時（ET：米国東部標準時間:ウェビナー“On the Road to Zero Prototypes”、SAE(英語)
• 2023年3月16日 午前10時（CET：中央ヨーロッパ時間:ウェビナー“On the Road to Zero Prototypes”、ATZ(ドイツ語)

VI-grade社のシミュレーション主導型開発シニアエキスパートのMichael Hoffmann氏は、次のように述べています。
「VI-gradeでは、ゼロプロトタイプ戦略を推進し、バーチャルサインオフを達成するための道を切り開くことができたことを大変嬉しく思っています。自動車産業がシミュレーション主導のアプローチに移行する中で、実機のプロトタイプによる主観的評価のボトルネックを取り除くことは、バーチャルサインオフの達成に不可欠です。今後のイベントやウェビナーでは、エンジニア、マネージャー、顧客の各専門グループが開発プロセスを通じて運転体験を評価し、最終的にゼロプロトタイプを達成するためのボトルネックを取り除くことで、製品開発をより人間中心的にする方法を紹介します。」