An adaptable vehicle simulator designed to test connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) has been released at the University of Warwick.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded 3xD Simulator is an adaptable and advanced driving simulator, which has been designed specifically to test real-world robustness and usability of smart, connected and autonomous vehicle technology.

It will serve as a core part of the Virtual Reality Centre in the National Automotive Innovation Centre, which is a long-term commitment between Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Tata Motors European Technical Center, and the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), a department of the University of Warwick.

WMG’s aim is to recreate the world for an intelligent vehicle within the 3xD simulator, by replicating tough driving scenarios, changing lighting conditions, communications interference or unexpected events, but all in a safe and repeatable environment.

"Industry leading simulators like this one will give our research teams a crucial advantage in developing new vehicles that are truly driver focused."

Jaguar Land Rover CEO Professor Dr Ralf Speth said: “Together Jaguar Land Rover and WMG will work to develop the next generation of ideas in key areas such as connectivity, Intelligent Vehicles and Connected and Autonomous technologies.

“Industry leading simulators like this one will give our research teams a crucial advantage in developing new vehicles that are truly driver focused.”

With the use of signal emulation capability, WWG intends to create ‘wireless world’ that enables development of next generation communication protocols. This includes the capability to replicate GPS or 4G signal loss, or even simulate a cyber-attack.

Further, WMG will develop approaches to validate sensing technologies such as Radar, LiDAR camera and ultra-sonic.

Image: The 3xD Simulator at the University of Warwick. Photo: Courtesy of University of Warwick.