What’s one thing happening in the industry right now that people can’t afford to ignore?
One important development that the industry cannot afford to ignore is the growing regulatory and consumer-safety focus on how drivers interact with the cockpit. Euro NCAP’s 2026 protocol places greater emphasis on providing easily accessible controls for important functions such as indicators, hazard lights, the horn, windshield wipers and headlights. China is moving even further, with proposed requirements covering functions such as ADAS activation, defrosting and power-window operation.

However, I believe the bigger signal is not simply the return of physical controls. The bigger signal is that the HMI is becoming a safety-relevant engineering artifact that must be objectively validated. The layout, information hierarchy, control placement, visibility and interaction behavior can no longer be treated only as matters of design preference. They must be evaluated against measurable safety and usability requirements. The challenge is that many organizations still do not have the tools needed to measure these characteristics continuously and at scale.

What’s the biggest misconception in your field?
The biggest misconception is that automotive HMI testing is essentially mobile-app testing on larger screens. An automotive cockpit operates under very different conditions. A mobile application typically runs on one device and one operating system. An automotive HMI may operate across a center display, instrument cluster, head-up display, passenger display and rear-seat displays. These surfaces can have different sizes, configurations and responsibilities, and they may run on different operating systems. They must also respond correctly to vehicle signals, driving states, regional restrictions and multiple forms of input, including touch, voice, steering-wheel controls and physical switches. Traditional manual quality assurance and mobile-style automation alone cannot scale to the complexity and release frequency of modern software-defined vehicles. Automotive HMI validation must examine not only whether a function works, but also whether the correct information appears on the correct display, in the correct state, at the correct time.

Many OEMs are accelerating their software-defined vehicle strategies. Where do you see the biggest validation gaps emerging today?
I see four major validation gaps. The first is the design-validation gap. Designers may create an approved design, but teams still need to determine whether that design works across all vehicle variants and whether it satisfies applicable automotive safety and usability requirements.

The second is the cross-display and cross-OS verification gap. Individual applications may work correctly, but teams must also verify that data and visual states remain synchronized across the center display, cluster, head-up display and other surfaces.

The third is the OTA regression gap. A relatively small software update can affect components and screen states far beyond the area being modified. Without effective impact analysis and automated regression testing, it is difficult to know how much of the cockpit must be revalidated.

The fourth is the contextual-safety gap. A platform may expose the current vehicle state or applicable UX restrictions, but that does not automatically prove that the rendered interface follows those restrictions. We must verify the actual behavior and the pixels presented to the driver. Closing these gaps requires a combination of virtualized testing, signal-aware automation, visual validation and targeted physical testing. No single tool can solve the entire problem.

AI is increasingly being applied across vehicle development and validation. What opportunities does it create, and what limitations should engineers be aware of?
AI creates several opportunities across automotive HMI development and validation. First, a generative system can use a verified automotive UI database together with contextual inputs to propose an interface appropriate for a particular situation. For example, it could simplify the screen during a demanding driving situation and prioritize navigation, warnings or frequently used controls. The proposed layout can then be checked by a separate deterministic safety gate. The AI generates the design, but the deterministic gate decides whether the design satisfies the mandatory rules.

Second, vision-language models can inspect an interface in a way that is closer to human visual review. They can compare a rendered screen with an approved design and reason about text, alignment, element states, visual hierarchy and behavior under different contextual inputs.

Third, AI can help generate and prioritize test cases using UX specifications, system requirements, vehicle context and recent software changes. It can also help provide dynamic inputs to the system under test and identify combinations that may otherwise be overlooked.

At the same time, engineers must recognize that AI models are probabilistic. They can report defects that do not exist, miss subtle icon or color-state changes, and sometimes produce different conclusions for the same inputs. For that reason, safety critical requirements such as mandatory control presence, vehicle-state restrictions, minimum target sizes and alert priorities should be enforced through deterministic and auditable code. Low-confidence AI conclusions should be routed to a human reviewer rather than automatically treated as a pass or failure.

What should engineers working on software-defined cockpits be focusing on over the next few years?
Building cockpit architecture that’s observable, testable and fails safely. Make your design specification machine readable. If your spec carries roles for UI elements, target sizes, priorities and the contextual conditions each applies to, it stops being a picture and becomes ground truth a machine can check against. That one change unlocks most of the automation downstream.

Turn the distraction rules into executable constraints. ISO 15008 and the NHTSA guidelines currently live in documents that designers cite. They should be code running in your validation pipeline, returning pass or fail. Rules you can execute, not rules you can quote.

Move validation into software-in-the-loop and virtual environments, so you can exercise large configuration matrices before hardware exists. HIL still matters but it should be spending its time on timing, integration and physical behavior, not repeating basic UI checks that could have run in simulation.

And use AI aggressively wherever the output is checkable, but treat everything it produces as unverified until it’s been through the same static analysis, review and traceability you’d apply to human work. The goal isn’t maximum autonomy. It’s maximum useful automation with a clearly defined failure mode, and a human in the loop where the model is unsure.

You will be speaking on this subject at the Automotive Design & In-Cabin Conference at Vehicle Tech Week North America in October. What will attendees learn from your presentation that they won’t get anywhere else?
This session connects two parts of the problem that are usually discussed separately. The first is preventing an unsafe or distracting interface from being designed in the first place. This is addressed through context-aware generation combined with a deterministic safety gate. The second is proving that an approved design was implemented correctly in the actual vehicle software. This is addressed through vision-language-based design-to-build validation.

These are two different failure modes. A design itself can be unsafe, or a safe design can be implemented incorrectly. Solving only one of these problems still leaves the cockpit exposed. Attendees will see how the two approaches can form a closed validation loop – from context and design intent, through implementation, to the final pixels rendered inside the vehicle. They will also leave with a practical understanding of where AI adds value, where deterministic validation is required and where human judgment must remain part of the process.

What are you hoping to learn, explore or discover at Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo North America?
I want to understand how other organizations are validating the complete cabin experience rather than individual components. Specifically, how teams are handling cross-display synchronization, driver monitoring, adaptive interfaces, accessibility, display performance, and the integration of physical and digital controls. And I’m looking for practical examples of AI that have actually crossed from demonstration into production engineering workflows not pilots – production. Most of all, I want to find out where OEMs, suppliers, designers and test-tool providers draw the boundary between virtual validation and physical cabin testing.

Don’t miss Kumar’s presentation, titled ‘Bridging the SDV validation gap: An AI-driven framework for verification and validation in the multiple display and multi-OS cockpits,’ at Vehicle Tech Week North America, October 27-29, 2026. Read more about this presentation in the September 2026 issue of ATTI, and find full details on Automotive Testing Expo North America 2026 here

On June 24, Vehicle Tech Week association partner ASAM hosted the ‘Standardization in the age of AI’ roundtable attended by representatives from passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, software companies and autonomous-driving firms to discuss a challenge facing every industry: the impact of AI.

Senior professionals from Avatr, Bosch, Valeo, Cariad, Volvo, ZF, Nissan, Iveco, Bugatti Rimac, Mercedes-Benz, Chery Europe, ADASTec, Forvia and CLAAS and more – with roles ranging from UX designer, software architect and NVH engineer to buyer, global testing director and AD/ADAS performance test manager – explored how AI is reshaping the role of standards across the automotive ecosystem. Discussions focused on where standardization is breaking down, AI’s impact on interoperability, industry collaboration versus competitive advantage, the role of organizations such as ASAM and AUTOSAR, and how innovation can be aligned with shared frameworks.

As a specialist in standardization for automation and measuring systems, ASAM examined where AI and standardization meet, namely:

1. Consumption layer – chat tools, agents, notebooks and dashboards where intent becomes a question.
2. Interface layer – formats, APIs, query languages, and the contract a tool docks against.
3. Data layer – the governed substrate: files, databases, catalogs, etc.

Facilitated by Dr Ralf Nörenberg, member of the board of directors at ASAM, the discussion opened with the observation that AI systems operate with varying levels of autonomy and can generate predictions, recommendations, decisions and content. While definitions broadly agree on these characteristics, uncertainty remains over which systems fall under the scope of AI.

“The business has changed, and structure is no longer a given,” said Nörenberg. “What changes is how we interact with data; what never changes is the need for the data to mean something. But the question is not standards or AI; it is which regime the task is in, and whether the access layer stays standardized enough for AI to reach the data at all.”

Participants split into two groups to discuss their current and future use of LLMs, skills development, process changes and model training, while identifying the most important developments to monitor.

Findings

Vishnu Vardhanan Asvatha Narayanan, function owner – system engineer at Valeo, led the first group.

“We discussed the standardization of the vehicle, which is very much needed,” said Narayanan. “AI requires consolidated input data and standardized output data across suppliers. Once both are standardized, AI can be used more effectively. However, expertise is still needed to verify and validate the results.”

The group highlighted the importance of clear contracts between layers and pipelines, warning that without them, systems can fail regardless of the quality of the output. Traceability between inputs and outputs was also identified as critical for effective AI deployment.

The second discussion was led by Markus Bachmaier, deputy general manager at Mitsubishi Electric Automotive Europe.

“Our conclusions were similar,” he said. “Standardized rules for AI agents could be beneficial across different use cases, particularly where large data layers are involved. Different users may require different views of the same data, but standardized approaches could make information more accessible and consistent.”

The group also explored the role of standards in reducing liability and whether organizations such as ASAM could provide automated validation environments to offer reliable and liable results. However, participants acknowledged the challenge of standardizing outputs from large language models, which can vary depending on when, how and by whom questions are asked, especially considering LLMs adjust themselves to the history of each author of spoken questions.

Looking ahead

Vehicle Tech Week Europe will return to Stuttgart on June 2-3, 2027, comprising Automotive Testing Expo; the new Advanced Chassis & Powertrain Showcase; and the evolution of Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo into Intelligent Vehicle Expo and Automotive Interiors Expo into Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo.

Read more about Vehicle Tech Week Europe.

Read more about Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2026.

For further information, contact Charlotte Sanchez Iggulden (charlotte.Iggulden@ukimediaevents.com)

For details on ASAM’s standards, please visit their website.

From testing and validation to autonomy, software-defined vehicles and next-generation user experiences, Stuttgart is the destination for those looking to stay ahead of the curve.  

Keep reading to see what Day 2 had to offer… 

The exhibition

Cansinga showcases new-generation deformable barriers
Shenzhen Cansinga Technology is in Stuttgart to show its new-generation deformable barriers, particularly the C‑NCAP SC‑MPDB (2027) and C‑IASI AC‑MPDB (2026), alongside barriers compliant with Euro NCAP AE‑MDB, MPDB, FWDB and ECE/FMVSS. Features include aerospace-grade aluminum honeycomb, precise force‑deflection response and variable stiffness. “At Cansinga, we are proud to bring China‑developed SC‑MPDB and AC‑MPDB as well as a real MPDB barrier face to Stuttgart,” said Ray Guo, overseas business manager. “Our deformable barriers are more than test tools – they are safety benchmarks. We look forward to meeting global crash safety experts and advancing real‑world protection together.”
Find out more at Booth 1466.

WKS Informatik highlights fully automated test system for LV124 and LV148 validation
WKS Informatik is showcasing RTStand, a fully automated platform for LV124 and LV148 validation, now extended with a prototype supporting 10G Ethernet and GMSL2 within the same environment. The system enables automated electrical test sequences with modular hardware scaling from single ECUs to multi-rack labs, delivering a unified workflow across camera, sensor and display tests. We’re at Stuttgart because this is where automotive validation teams come together,” said WKS CEO Ronald Kaempf. “We’re demonstrating how to run LV124, LV148 and high-speed link tests at full cycle count, without shortcuts.”  

See the RTStand at Booth 1700. 

Xylon demos advanced solutions for ADAS, autonomous driving, DAQ and sensor validation
Xylon is demoing its latest testing solutions, particularly HIL systems for ADAS, AD, DAQ and sensor validation. Live demos include: real-time sensor injection HIL for the Qualcomm Snapdragon Ride Platform; HIL test bench for ZF Smart Camera 6 using CarMaker from IPG Automotive; accelerated sensor-to-AI processing with AMD Versal AI Edge adaptive SoC; integrated DAQ for advanced vehicle programs; and a new MIPI A-PHY IO board for its Quattro datalogger and HIL system. “We’re excited to be part of one of Vehicle Tech Week’s flagship events,” said Xylon’s technical marketing director, Gordan Galic. “We’re looking forward to showing our HIL systems that are trusted by leading global Tier 1s and technology companies.” 

Experience the live demos at Booth 1671. 

Sensoric Solutions displays fully instrumented race car for complete vehicle dynamic
Visitors are stopping by Sensoric’s booth to see the company’s solution for complete vehicle dynamics, featuring measurement from road to wheel. The setup consists of OMS motion, HMS geometry, WVS Wheel and WFT Wheel. MD Kai Gilbert said, “Sensoric Solutions is in Stuttgart to look for new customers and projects as well as meeting partners and existing customers.”  

See the race car at Booth 1532.

Instron displays new controller product family with decentralized design 
Instron is showcasing its new Labtronic EVO controller family, with a focus on the Evo Link module, which brings measurement and control electronics directly to the actuator through a decentralized architecture. The platform offers modular, scalable design, reduced cabling, fast installation, backward compatibility, real-time EtherCAT connectivity and high safety standards. It is designed to have minimal downtime and simplified expansion, and Instron is engaging with industry experts for feedback to refine the system. “We’re excited to showcase Labtronic EVO, which redefines flexibility and efficiency in testing,” said Felix Kleine from the company’s marketing team. 

See the new Labtronic Evo at Booth 1630.

Innovation Showcase 

Day 2 of the Innovation Showcase hosted a hands-on workshop from b-plus (360° test drive view – no gaps left anymore – real-world data meets virtual drives) this morning, and MOVEdot (AI agents in automotive testing) this afternoon.

Highlights from this morning’s presentations included ‘Driving innovation: Mastering multidomain integration in SDVs’ from ETAS and Bosch, and ‘Implicit testing: Rethinking embedded software validation with SIL virtualization’ from AGSOTEC and BMW.

ATTI Forum

Visitors to the ATTI Forum have been exploring the latest in intelligent test technologies, virtualization and scalable validation, alongside advances in data platforms and analytics for next-generation vehicle development. Presentation and panel highlights included ‘Euro 7 readiness’ by Johnson Matthey, AVL and Green NCAP, and ‘AI-driven testing transformation’ by ATTI editor Rachel Evans and HOPn this morning. This afternoon, DEKRA, CTAG and IABG covered SOTIF, functional safety and cybersecurity; Ford, Nissan and Euro NCAP talked about Euro NCAP 2026; and VWCV, Daimler Truck, EPowerLabs and Nissan presented on virtual vs real-world testing. Read more about the ATTI Forum here.

Awards  

The ATTI Awards will be presented at the end of the day – keep your eyes on the website to see who won!

Still to come tomorrow…

Innovation showcase

The final day of Automotive Testing Expo will continue to highlight advances in automotive testing at the Innovation Showcase. Day 3 presentations include: Verifying non-deterministic voice AI – Ensuring natural interaction quality (JRC Mobility), Cybersecurity testing in the era of agentic AI (Keysight Technologies) and Complex validation campaigns in realistic settings (Aucoteam).

Automotive Testing Expo runs until tomorrow, Thursday, June 25. Click here to register for your free pass to Vehicle Tech Week Europe 2026

From test, development and validation to autonomous mobility, in-cabin innovation, materials, design and next-generation vehicle technologies, thousands of industry professionals are on-site to source new solutions, strengthen supplier partnerships and discover the ideas shaping the future of mobility.

Keep reading to see just a few highlights of what Day 1 at Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2026 has had to offer so far…

The exhibition

Werum displays centralized test data management with AI analytics and natural-language interaction
The star of Werum’s display is HyperTest Boost 2027, featuring new AI-powered capabilities for test and validation environments. The company says HyperTest Boost will help teams manage and interpret the growing amount of test data. Features include integration of heterogeneous testbeds and systems; centralized management of test data from multiple sources with AI-assisted analytics and natural-language interaction, and end-to-end traceability throughout the validation process.

“We are demonstrating how AI helps unlock the value in test data,” explained sales and business consultant Thomas Rönpage. “We look forward to discussing use cases, current challenges and the future of data-driven testing.”

Discover HyperTest Boost at Booth 1658.

ETAS’s interactive approach masters calibration complexity
ETAS is showcasing its interactive approach to mastering calibration complexity across all vehicle motion domains – from powertrain to braking, steering and suspension. Tailored for modern, centralized E/E architectures, the company’s holistic portfolio supports microprocessor-based VCUs, BMS and motion ECUs. Visitors have been impressed by the company’s approach to deep data integration using INCA and EHandbook alongside hardware such as ETK, ES570.1, and ES160.

Sarah Nizze, head of product marketing, said, “We look forward to hearing how engineers navigate the complexity of software-defined vehicle integration and how our tools can boost productivity.”

Visit Booth 1350 for more information.

IAV’s integrated HV testing and data analysis solution eliminates bottlenecks
The highlight of IAV’s booth is the company’s combined solution of IAV Auros Iso and IAV Zio Insight. The former is a complete system for fast, standardized HV testing with full compliance (ISO 21498-2, VW 80300, MBN 11123), reducing setup from days to hours. IAV Zio Insight then converts large test data into automated, structured, decision-ready results within minutes. The company is at the show to gain feedback on HV testing and data handling challenges, focusing on setup efficiency, data consistency and decision speed.

“We are demonstrating how HV testing and data analysis can work seamlessly together,” said head of product management Enrico Neumann.

See IAV Auros Iso and IAV Zio Insight at Booth 1660.

Tracetronic’s cloud-native CI/CD platform is purpose-built for SDV challenges
Visitors are stopping by Tracetronic’s booth to see one:cx, a global automotive validation platform uniting test and integration from initial code to final release. Features include end-to-end orchestration, team and tool integration, scalable test environments and data-driven release transparency.

“We’re exhibiting because the industry has reached a tipping point,” said Sebastian Dietze, automotive DevOps expert. “Software complexity is unmanageable, with fragmented tools and disconnected processes – integration debt is costly. one:cx moves users from toolchain chaos to continuous integration: automated, AI-driven and fully traceable. Proven with Volkswagen, Mercedes-AMG and Valeo eAutomotive, it’s now a scalable enterprise platform. We look forward to meeting engineering leaders, test managers and CI/CD architects.”

Visit Booth 1440 to find out more.

HVAC dummy from ARRK Engineering records real environmental data
ARRK Engineering is showing its HVAC measurement dummy for recording real environmental data such as temperature, humidity, air velocity, airflow direction and radiation. It combines with Software Theseus-FE, a finite-element-based solver that analyzes thermal comfort. A virtual model based on Dr Dusan Fiala’s research visualizes how external factors influence the human body. The company is at the expo to seek potential use scenarios.

“Automotive Testing Expo is the perfect platform to bring our innovations to life,” said Simon Wegmann, vice president of thermal management. “Our HVAC dummy and Theseus-FE demonstrate how simulation and real-world measurement go hand in hand. We look forward to inspiring conversations.”

See ARRK Engineering’s HVAC dummy at Booth 1976.

Suzhou Satake highlights climatic wind tunnel and high-performance environmental chamber
Suzhou Satake Engineering is speaking to visitors about its climatic chamber, which simulates extreme conditions from -40°C to +60°C, including sunlight, wind speed and humidity. It supports R&D testing for thermal management, HVAC systems and powertrain cooling for conventional and new-energy vehicles.

“Whether it’s a new laboratory or upgrading existing facilities, we want to leverage our expertise in thermal control testing to help customers build high-performance and reliable environmental chambers and wind tunnels,” said Ethan Xie, a sales engineer in the environmental business division. “We invite engineers and project leaders to jointly plan the next-generation thermal management testing platforms for complete vehicles.”

Find out more at Booth 1380.

Innovation Showcase

Across all three days, the Innovation Showcase will offer visitors a close-up look at the ideas and technologies shaping next-generation automotive testing and development. Highlights from this morning include Martin Herrmann from IPG Automotive talking about harmonizing synthetic and real‑world data for perception testing, and Technica Engineering’s Rohit Chauhan discussing scaling HIL validation for software-defined vehicles.

View the full Innovation Showcase program here.

Still to come tomorrow…

ATTI Forum – Stage 1
Stay ahead of regulatory change and testing innovation at the ATTI Forum. Key topics will include Euro 7, software-defined vehicles, AI-driven validation, SOTIF, cybersecurity, data platforms and Euro NCAP 2026 and you can hear from OEMs, suppliers, labs and regulators, including Bugatti-Rimac, Opal-RT, Vangest and Compredict. Panel highlights include representatives from Johnson Matthey, AVL and Green NCAP talking about Euro 7 readiness; DEKRA, CTAG and IABG discussing SOTIF, functional safety and cybersecurity; the latest on Euro NCAP 2026 from Ford, Nissan and Euro NCAP; and a comparison of virtual versus real-world testing from VWCV, Daimler Truck and Nissan.

Plus, don’t miss the fireside chat on AI-driven testing transformation with ATTI editor Rachel Evans and HOPn.

Innovation Showcase – Stage 2
It’s another packed program for tomorrow, with particular highlights set to be the hands-on workshop from b-plus and MOVEdot (AI agents), plus presentations from ETAS, Bosch, Agsotec and BMW.

Awards 
Meet in the Atrium from 4:30pm (ceremony at 5:15pm) for drinks and to celebrate industry achievements across 13 categories and three sets of awards: the Automotive Testing Technology International Awards, the new Vehicle Tech Week Trailblazer Awards and the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International Awards.

Automotive Testing Expo, part of Vehicle Tech Week Europe, runs until Thursday, 25 June. Click here to register for your free pass to Vehicle Tech Week Europe 2026

Organized by FISITA and the EuroBrake Steering Committee, and held in Mainz, Germany, on June 1-3, the 14^th edition of EuroBrake gathered speakers, 110 exhibitors and 1,100 delegates to explore brake emissions, Euro 7 readiness, software-defined braking and integrated system design in a rapidly evolving field.

A clear message emerged: braking is no longer a standalone component, but central to safety, sustainability, vehicle performance and intelligent system architecture.

Safety first

The plenary session discussed brakes as the baseline for vehicle safety. “As tech advances, safety advances,” said Jan Münchhoff, EuroBrake chair and head of development functions assisted driving and parking, active safety, at Audi. “Brake systems are integrating with software and creating safer, cleaner environments.” For example, speaker Tomohiro Yokoyama, brake-by-wire project manager at Toyota, proposed a brake-by-wire (BBW) solution to address brake misapplication among elderly drivers.

The next emissions frontier

EU data revealed brakes and tires account for nearly half of total particle emissions. To address this, Timo Schmidt, manager for e-drive system design and testing, and Niels Schreuders, project lead for in-drive brake, at Mercedes-Benz, proposed an in-drive brake concept, moving the brake system into the e-drive system, significantly reducing rear axle emissions. Enhanced vehicle dynamics are required to scale the concept. “A torque vectoring module could improve agility and predictability while acting as a differential on the rear axle,” said Schreuders. 

Sustainability also creates challenges. Arianna Pavesi, a materials specialist at Brembo, shared how recycled aluminum alloys can negatively affect the mechanical performance of brake callipers.

Beyond stopping

An OEM panel addressed customer expectations, regulation, cost, electrification, software-defined vehicles and automated driving. Albert Schlecht, head of brake system development at Audi, emphasized high-integration to connect functions, whereas Thomas Sprengel, senior chassis expert at Nio, highlighted pressure to adopt technologies such as brake-by-wire (BBW) to meet customer expectations.

Disruptive technologies include brake-by-wire, open-system architectures, motor disc brakes, in-drive braking concepts and AI-driven development, as well as the need for BBW standardization. Panelists agreed AI’s role lies in accelerating development and optimization rather than safety-critical decision-making. And FISITA CTO Martin Kahl noted, “Braking is evolving from a friction product to an intelligent, electronic system at the heart of vehicle development.”

Reinventing braking

A strategy panel explored how disruptive development pathways rethink system innovation beyond the friction pair. Nico Waegerle, CEO and co-founder at Certivity, said AI can accelerate product compliance but that human-in-the-loop is essential and Frank Beier, developer of actuation and brake components at Volkswagen, noted that reinvented pedal boxes are a major component in future BBW systems. 

Christof Danner, a technical expert in brake systems at the Austrian Center of Brake Competence, said Euro7 is propelling new technologies such as coated discs, electromechanical brakes and alternative brake designs, but that issues remain with BBW brake pedal feeling and integration with all drive systems.

Tires, regulation and emissions

Braking distances depend heavily on tire wear, which was highlighted by Dr Ludovic Grèverie, vice president of technical operations – passenger car and light truck tires at Michelin, who underlined the need for tires optimized for braking performance.

Research from Stockholm University’s Wandera Kisimbiri showed VOC to PM10 emission ratios increase with braking intensity and pad composition, reinforcing the importance of brake particle regulation.

AVL also exhibited its fully integrated AVL Brake Test System, featuring the Particle Sampling Enclosure (see above), which minimizes particle loss and ensures homogeneous aerosol distribution, capturing all particle sizes. AVL’s business marketing specliaist Marina Gross said, “As a key contributor to GTR24 and UNR179 on brake emissions, AVL also presented its latest research, underlining its commitment to shaping future brake emissions regulations for light and heavy duty.”

Chassis integration

FISITA’s Advanced Chassis Technology Expert Group highlighted how integral braking is to the chassis ecosystem, with software-defining system behavior. “EuroBrake is the premier global forum for brake development and technical discussion,” said Fabio Squadrani, senior manager for braking systems at Applus Idiada and chair of this FISITA expert group. “This year spotlighted a fundamental shift across OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers: the recognition that brake systems are no longer standalone components, but integral elements within a holistic motion control ecosystem.”

Testing and development tools

Anton Tworek, a development engineer at MdynamiX, presented a unified approach to HIL- and DIL-connected testing of brake systems for robustness and driver acceptance, and noted that standard simulators aren’t fully suitable for brake development.

“The market needs to speed development,” said Tristan Schwandke, head of sales and marketing at Mdynamix. “Our HiL solutions increase efficiency by bridging SIL/MIL to real testing. Chassis systems, such as steering and braking, are integrated in a real-time simulation environment with DIL. You can calibrate/tune ECUs and test drive in one loop.”

Process tools

Advanced image processing and deep learning techniques for corrosion detection and evaluation of brake discs were presented by Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic Brakes data scientist Lorenzo Rota and R&D testing laboratory head Giovanni Arena. “Cosmetic corrosion on brake pads should be measured for customer perception, benchmarking, and continuous improvement,” said Lorenzo. “A missing component in the testing workflow to meet the ISO standard is a quantitative, objective evaluation. Using main field image processing and AI, the most relevant KPI is the ratio between the corroded and total surface area.”

Beyond automotive

The event touched on passenger cars, commercial vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, and trains. Klaus Jaeckel, manager of wheel brake systems at Daimler Truck, chaired the HDV session, and said, “Upcoming legislation on the regulation of brake particulate emissions has led to many HDV presentations. I have received excellent feedback from HDV OEMs, brake and lining manufacturers and universities.”

“Innovative solutions are taking braking away from the corners into the center of the vehicle, integrating it into the electric motor and transmission unit,” said FISITA CTO Kahl. “But more needs to be done for friction brake systems on current platforms and vehicles launched in the next few years.”

The EuroBrake Student Opportunities Programme (ESOP)

FISITA CEO Chris Mason shared how EuroBrake is supporting young engineers to learn about mobility and braking technology, through the Harald Abendroth Award as well as special recognition of the top three EuroBrake poster presentations and the top three ESOP poster presentations.

FISITA’s Intelligent Safety Group will be speaking at this week’s Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo Europe, which will take place at the Messe Stuttgart, Germany, on June 23-25. 

Read more about Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo Europe here.

Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo, Automotive Interiors Expo and Automotive Testing Expo together comprise Vehicle Tech Week Europe, the continent’s landmark event for vehicle technology.

The ATTI Forum has been curated exclusively for professionals across vehicle development, testing and quality assurance, dedicated solely to discussing next-generation analysis practices and technologies, including hardware and software, that will shape tomorrow’s development landscape.

What themes or trends are you seeing emerge most strongly right now?
Over the past few years, several themes have become major auto news for various reasons. One of those is Euro 7 because it introduces the testing of non-exhaust emissions for the first time (brake and tire emissions), as well as stricter limits on nitrogen oxides and an extended compliance window of 200,000km or 10 years, compared with Euro 6’s 100,000km or five years. As such, we have organized a panel discussion – Euro 7 compliance requirements: Challenges and industry preparedness – with specialists from across the sector to help our audience share strategies and insights.

At one point, it seemed that revelation after revelation was emerging about the vulnerability of vehicles to hacking, alongside data privacy issues linked to the application of AI in vehicles (see our feature on the topic, No free rides, in the June 2025 issue of ATTI). We’ll also be hosting a panel discussion on this and other safety topics – Safe by design, secure by default: Navigating SOTIF, functional safety and cybersecurity in modern automotive testing.

Another key thread is data. Big data has been at the forefront of discussions throughout my 14 years working on ATTI, but there now seems to be a realization that action is needed if the sector is to fully exploit the potential of all the data it has been capturing. Having it is one thing, using it is another – and people seem to be springing into action. It’s a theme throughout the ATTI Awards and Forum, as well as the show itself, and I’m looking forward to learning how developers are tackling the challenge. I am personally looking forward to the presentation from Bugatti Rimac’s vehicle dynamics controls manager, Alessandro Pino, and Marple CEO and co-founder, Matthias Baert – A modern lakehouse architecture for automotive testing. The audience will learn how the two companies have worked together to create a next-gen data architecture, having stored, queried and analyzed 300TB+ of powertrain data from the Tourbillon. 

What topic do you expect attendees to be discussing long after the ATTI Forum ends?
Data and digital twins. I was at another industry event recently and asked various people how they define a digital twin, and whether they would agree with the statement that many digital twins are “static 3D models with a few datapoints layered on top.” These words were written by Dr Ahmed Abada, a senior product manager at BMW Group, in a column he wrote for the March 2026 edition of ATTI. At first, the answer I received was simply, “It depends.” But once I got people talking, we ended up discussing and debating different viewpoints for quite some time.

I’m really looking forward to chatting with Dr Abada and getting his thoughts on digital twin applications, data security and other industry issues, including how regulations affecting exports to the USA are impacting European OEMs. For example, regulations around components, software and hardware, and where automated testing can help.

What are you hoping to learn from the conversations happening here?
Every day I am fed content from external sources about the latest testing innovations and groundbreaking vehicle projects. It’s easy to be fooled into thinking everyone has it sorted, that every vehicle tester is doing their job with their eyes closed. Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt our audience members take everything in their stride. After all, it is the engineer’s job to experiment, learn and develop new solutions. However, I am interested in hearing about the day-to-day challenges engineers are facing in the lab behind closed doors.

For example, it’s all well and good to say that test automation is helpful, but where are facilities struggling to integrate automated testing and AI into digital twin processes so that these technologies are not standalone tools, but part of a broader workflow? And, crucially, how can our exhibitors help visitors meet those niggles head-on?

Hear from Rachel on June 23 at the ATTI Forum, where she will be joined by engineering experts from AVL, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Daimler Truck, among others

Visit the website to register for your free pass to Automotive Testing Expo Europe. The event is part of Vehicle Tech Week and will take place at Messe Stuttgart, Germany, June 22-24, 2026

The agenda covered simulation, data management, diagnostics and test automation, with discussions underscoring interoperability, simulation credibility and data‑centric development. These themes emerged across sessions on ASAM standards OpenDrive, OpenScenario, OSI, ODS, SOVD, XIL, OTX, CMP, and digital‑twin integration through the Asset Administration Shell (AAS).

Cross-standard harmonization and the need to align toolchains across domains, suppliers and development stages remain priorities, with speakers citing inconsistent interpretations of ASAM specifications as a cause of fragmentation. Updates included co‑simulation workflows, higher‑fidelity OpenX modeling, interoperable data management, modular measurement architectures, digital‑twin concepts, ODD taxonomies and simulation‑quality assessment.

Regional updates and roadmap

Updates from ASAM’s ambassadors in China, Korea, Japan and the USA were shared by CATARC technical director Bolin Zhou, IVH CEO Daeoh Kang and ASAM Japan representative Yoshiaki Shoi. Priorities included co-simulation and merging standards in China; sensor simulation and ASAM SOVD in Japan; and study groups in South Korea supporting global application of standards, such as ASAM OpenDrive.

BMW IT specialist Michael Schwarzbach outlined the 2026 Technical Steering Committee roadmap, highlighting ODD-based testing, collaboration improvements, harmonized standards and a common ontology.

OpenX updates

ASAM technology managers Ahmed Sadek and Yash Shah (below) presented ASAM OpenX updates. Previous OpenX models defined traffic participants independently, creating toolchain inconsistencies. New concepts for ASAM’s simulation standards include combining ASAM OpenDrive with the Quantifying Simulation Quality (QSQ) initiative, and ASAM OSI adding high-fidelity sensor simulation support, such as spectral irradiance and radar waveforms. “No standard is developed in a silo,” Shah said. “We think feature-based, then collect standards experts for harmonization.”

Simulation integration

Clemens Linnhoff, founder and CTO at Persival, demonstrated co-simulation between Scenario Player and Sensor Model, with all assets linked in ASAM OpenScenario as a single source of truth.

ASAM ODS, MDF, CMP and digital twins

Technica Engineering technical fellow and head of media relations Lars Völker outlined Capture Module Protocol (ASAM CMP) improvements. “Before 2022, in‑vehicle DAQ was vendor‑specific and non‑modular. CMP 1.0 introduced modular DAQ and support for heterogeneous technologies. New use cases support raw Ethernet and define message transport across the vehicle system. Scaling HIL and test setups enables an elastic measurement infrastructure.”

Using slides from the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA), Stefan Romainczyk, senior product manager at Peak Solution, said, “Today’s digital twins are proprietary and one lifecycle element, whereas future twins have a complete lifecycle with efficient scaling. With ASAM ODS, AAS can create a comprehensive data profile for digital twins – standardized interoperability improves predictive maintenance, time and cost.”

SDV diagnostics updates

Following the launch of ASAM SOVD 1.2 in February with 29 global OEMs and suppliers, Vector Informatik manager Tobias Weidmann presented at the seminar the latest activities in the development of the standard. ISO 17978-4 Remote Access covers how to access vehicle information via authorization and defining the access path; possibilities include functional communication, new access methods to log information via a streaming interface, and large file handling via third-party service providers.

ODD taxonomy and AV deployment

Andreas Richter (below), engineering program manager – Operational Design Domains, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, outlined ASAM OpenODD implementation within MOIA America, VW’s autonomous‑mobility affiliate, formerly known as ADMT. VW Commercial Vehicles is the first group brand to introduce SAE Level 4 autonomous driving using the ID Buzz platform with integrated third‑party automated‑driving systems. Testing is underway in Hamburg and Munich in Germany, Oslo in Norway, and in Austin, Texas.

Richter noted that the industry is not always clear on ‘ODD’, ‘taxonomy’, ‘service area’ and ‘scenarios’. “To bring autonomous driving to life, we have to agree on the same terms,” he said, calling for ODD definitions that are unambiguously readable by humans and machines, supported by geodata analysis and enterprise‑ready tools for ODD and scenario management.

“ASAM OpenODD offers a taxonomy-agnostic, modular model to represent ODDs in different technical formats, [and] support development, storage and processing in a machine and human-readable way,” he explained. “Originally intended for scenario-based testing, ODD definition is now required in more process steps for developing, testing, approving and operating ADS. The ODD as a single point of knowledge ensures OEMs and authorities share definitions.”

VW’s internal elaborated ODD taxonomy demonstrates how modular definitions support understanding across organizations and regulators. The ODD management toolchain validates taxonomies and module definitions, supports multilingual concepts and connects to scenario‑creation and requirements‑management workflows. Using STIEF (scenario-accompanied, text-base, iterative evaluation of automated driving functions), engineers can preload scenario definitions via natural‑language inputs, while geodata analysis identifies new operational areas and generates challenging test routes.

Simulation credibility

In an ASAM QSQ update, Automotive Artificial Intelligence’s general manager Basit Khan highlighted the challenge of trusting simulation for virtual homologation.

“No standardized quality metrics exist for simulation frameworks, especially ADAS/AD sensors,” he said. “Many contributors – OEMs, suppliers, research and tool vendors – have different priorities and vocabulary. Through working groups spanning use cases, camera, lidar, radar and vehicle dynamics, our goal is to drive cross-sector innovation by building a unified standard upon proven, existing components. By harmonizing established concepts, we can create a practical framework that ensures simulation reliability without reinventing the wheel.”

Research and collaborations

Fraunhofer IOSB’s research group leader Jens Ziehn reported on how ASAM helps scale R&D results, for example where ASAM’s OpenDrive, OpenLabel and OpenScenario are used to deliver interoperability and reusable data across diverse acquisition sources in the AVEAS Brave10K project to scale automated driving in public transportation.

SAE’s Ed Straub outlined ASAM’s collaboration with SAE J3259 (ODD taxonomy), while ASCS’s Alexander Walsh emphasized the complementary role of ASCS and ASAM in simulation, AI and HPC.

Industry collaboration continues at Vehicle Tech Week Europe

Vehicle Tech Week Europe, represented by ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International, Automotive Testing Technology International and Automotive Interiors World, served as ASAM’s media partner.

Launching this June in Stuttgart, Germany, the three-day ‘festival of engineering’ will unite the full vehicle‑technology ecosystem – from EV and battery testing to autonomous‑vehicle development, UX/HMI, materials engineering and in‑cabin innovation – creating cross‑disciplinary value at a time when the industry faces intense technological and regulatory pressure.

ASAM is an association partner of Vehicle Tech Week Europe, and Yash Shah and Andreas Richter will continue their discussions about ASAM OpenX evolution and ODDs at the event.

Learn about Vehicle Tech Week’s partnerships here.

Find out more about ASAM’s International Conference, which will take place on November 4 and 5, 2026.

Related news, EXPO REVIEW: Automotive Testing Expo Korea 2026

Set against a backdrop of accelerated AI-driven development, automation and simulation in the USA, ASAM’s meeting reflected how global standards are adjusting to regional needs. The emphasis was on shared data formats, languages, data models and interfaces for AI-based testing and validation methods, integrating simulation workflows across tools and domains, software-defined vehicles (SDV), diagnostics and OTA updates.

For the first time, the one-day regional meeting held training sessions on ASAM standard implementations for service-oriented vehicle diagnostics (ASAM SOVD) and ASAM OpenX standards for virtual development and validation. Alongside this, OEMs and tool suppliers shared real-world use cases on how standardization can help businesses. ASAM also discussed projects in 2025 and beyond. Speakers included General Motors, AVL, Deepen AI and Sibros, among others.

Setting the scene

Armin Rupalla, ASAM board member, opened the meeting by detailing the ICE and BEV powertrain revival and acceleration of AI and AVs. He discussed ASAM’s support of regulation fulfilment and the organization’s SDV-related activities, including virtual twin experience and real-world evidence such as test drives, safety and security compliance.

Trainings – ASAM SOVD

While Dr Philipp Rosenberger, CEO, Persival, presented a deep dive into ASAM’s OpenX simulation standards, Aneesh Bhir, group product manager, Sibros, and Bernd Wenzel, senior technical consultant at ASAM, discussed a new approach to automotive diagnostics and vehicle data access, ‘ASAM SOVD – Diagnostic API for software-defined vehicles’.

Wenzel introduced a SOVD training workshop. “It [SOVD] can support next-generation software architectures through uniform diagnostics of HPCs and continuous updates with new configurations. The vehicle as an ‘IOT device’ can analyze software during operation and support interactive diagnostics,” he said.

According to Wenzel, use scenarios beyond diagnostics include service-defined data access for fleet management, predictive maintenance and consumer applications. “There are consistent capability descriptions with identical offline and online formats, based on OpenAPI,” he said. “SOVD-to-service also allows access to commercial and agricultural vehicles, not just passenger vehicles.”

Wenzel and Bhir shared how Open Test Sequence eXchange format (OTX) and ASAM SOVD work together. “First published by ISO and extended by ASAM beyond traditional vehicle diagnostics, OTX is a domain-specific programming language (DSL) to describe test logic, ensuring it is executed on any system at any time,” Bihr explained. “The ASAM OTX extension SOVD executes diagnostic operations via ASAM SOVD API, based on JSON extension. There is no automotive-specific stack on the client-side, and there is support through all lifecycle phases. ASAM SOVD gives access to legal diagnostics by enabling tagging of entities and resources ahead of 2026 requirements.”

He revealed that ASAM SOVD is being transferred to ISO next year for adoption in future international regulations. Whereas ISO focuses on extended vehicle and web interface, ASAM addresses SOVD API and is not restricted to ISO 17978-2 use cases. November 2025 was the kick-off for ASAM SOVD 1.2.0, with a release in March 2028.

Testing

Wenzel then presented the ASAM TestSpecification project, showing how users can go from efficient testing to successful validation. “With SDVs and autonomous driving functions increasing testing complexity, collaborative efforts must focus on efficient development and test case execution,” he said.

Analyzing scenario-based testing workflows, Wenzel said interoperability is missing between established industry standards, with there being no standardized approach. He recommended harmonization, including the ASAM XIL generic simulator interface that connects test automation tools and enables test case reuse across systems.

Richard Romano, staff researcher – vehicle systems at GM, then explored the role of driving simulators and human-centered vehicle design; while Brunilda Caushi, strategy business development, AWS, shared insights on agentic AI for faster, better embedded development and testing.

Validation

Following this, Joshua Orlando, a project engineer at AVL, gave a presentation titled ‘From road to simulation’, focusing on data-driven testing and validation, and Mohammad Musa, CEO and founder of Deepen AI, spoke on ‘Sensor calibration – a new idea for a PTI-related ASAM standardization’.

Musa argued that there is no unified approach to calibration across OEMs, suppliers and service centers. “A lack of industry standards for validating calibration quality risks poor health insight throughout vehicle lifecycles and inconsistent measurements across modalities: lidar, camera, radar and IMU,” he warned.

To establish industry-wide calibration standards and ensure safety and consistency for ADAS/AV systems, Musa proposed different foundational alignment phases, contextual calibration and lifecycle integration.

Rachael Ayotte, business development manager at Vector Informatik USA, then shared how Vector realized SDV diagnostics through SOVD, both through in-vehicle software, which can communicate with the cloud and proximity server, and hardware tools. She said the vehicle becomes one REST server, using modern protocols HTTPS and OpenAI, with data exchanged physically via JSON.

Following Ayotte’s presentation, Mark Singer, director of marketing at Excelfore Corporation (a founding member of the eSync Alliance, which aims to standardize cloud-to-edge connectivity), highlighted how different approaches from OEMs, Tier 1s and software and cloud vendors risk innovation paralysis. To combat this, he shared the Hero MotoCorp connected vehicle platform, an OEM-first implementation of eSync OTA integrated with ASAM SOVD remote diagnostics and repair. Initial results have showed operational efficiency, enhanced driver experience, improved safety and security compliance.

With software affecting ride quality, cabin acoustics, lighting, smart HVAC and infotainment, and with customer expectations of technological innovation and digital life continuity, Omkar Karve, senior application engineer ADAS at MathWorks, proposed creating strategic customer value with rapid and robust development via collaboration through standards.

The future of ASAM standards

ASAM CEO Marius Dupuis concluded proceedings with a discussion of the organization’s active and planned projects. “Trends and activities include SDV/diagnostics, data for AI, driver monitoring systems, beyond automotive, simulation quality and global cooperation, such as with our Korea meeting in November, he said. “We have development partnerships with IEEE, ISO and SAE; research projects with AVEAS and projects with eSync Alliance.”

Musa added that Deepen AI is working on ASAM OpenX standards in off-road applications, led by University of Mississippi professor Daniel Carruth, eSync Alliance and open-source AD stack specialist Autoware (owned by L4 Japanese company Tier IV). Deepen AI is developing a data platform with Autoware and ASAM next year for DevOps.

The meeting was sponsored by Sibros and AVL alongside media partners Automotive Testing Technology International and ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International. It was co-located with Automotive Testing Expo North America, where ASAM was a speaker, VIP sponsor and association partner.

Visit ASAM’s website for more information.

EXPLORE: Q&A – AI-enabled test optimization with Nissan and Monolith

Read on to find out which presentations, product launches and trends are helping OEMs and suppliers reduce development cycles and enhance product quality.

The Future of Automotive Testing Conference

Today’s free-to-attend conference opened with a welcome from ATTI, followed by an onstage interview with PG Mobility Analysis’s Partha Goswami on the softwarization of the automotive industry.

Presentations by Frost & Sullivan’s Shyam Raman, Stoyan Nikolov from Bosch and Venkat Adusumalli from Stellantis also piqued visitors’ interest.

The one-day conference carries an overarching software theme, and a panel discussion on this topic – moderated by Goswami – concluded the morning. Fresh from the stage, Goswami commented, “The focus of the conference is testing and validation, but also how to make that more relevant in the new age of software-centric vehicle development. Yes, there’s still a traditional component, but we’re having various conversations to bring in this new element that’s emerging today.”

Read more on the fascinating content being presented at The Future of Automotive Testing Conference  here.

Exhibition highlights

Göpel’s new, configurable battery test bench enables cost-efficient EV testing

In response to the need for increasingly customized systems, Göpel is highlighting its new, quickly configurable battery test bench for safety and functional testing of automotive high-voltage batteries. This enables cost-efficient electric car battery testing, offering a power range up to 500kW and voltage tests up to 1,000V DC with test currents of up to 800A DC. The system’s energy recovery capability means it is highly energy efficient. Services include safety tests and functional tests. “This year, Göpel Electronic is focusing on test systems for infotainment, battery systems and seat testing,” explained David Kalaidjian, sales development manager for North America. “We appreciate the diversity of visitors at Automotive Testing Expo and look forward to many new ideas.” Find out more at Booth 3034.

mm-lab shows its modern safety and planning solution for automotive proving grounds

mm-lab is showcasing its system that enables maximum safety for test drivers while ensuring optimal operational planning for proving ground operators. It offers comprehensive situational awareness, real-time communication and automated planning capabilities, designed to streamline testing activities and minimize risk in all vehicle testing environments. The ability to manage and control robots, traffic lights, traffic signs and info boards strengthens the overall solution. Managing director Steffen Firchau said, “The show enables us to interact directly with the automotive community, discuss emerging requirements for safe and optimized testing, and demonstrate how our system supports North American proving grounds in achieving higher safety and efficiency. We aim to implement our solution at several additional proving grounds, emphasizing and ensuring safety within automotive testing environments.” Meet the team at Booth 10056.

Methodica Technologies showcases AI-powered testing and HIL solutions to accelerate automotive development

To reflect the evolution toward smarter, connected and autonomous systems and the critical need for rapid validation and digital transformation, Methodica Technologies is in Novi to demonstrate how its innovative tools and expertise help OEMs and suppliers reduce development cycles, enhance product quality and integrate AI-driven efficiency into every stage of the engineering process. The company is highlighting its capabilities in rapid and cost-effective HIL system development, AI-driven test automation, custom hardware engineering and end-to-end embedded software and hardware development – all aimed at improving validation speed, system reliability and cost-efficiency. “We’re eager to connect with system engineers, testing engineers and technology leaders who are passionate about leveraging AI, automation and digital engineering to address the next generation of automotive challenges,” said digital growth and transformation manager Ayushi Lekhwani. Find out more at Booth 8016.

Intuitive closed-loop controller from Redex offers compact solution for load simulations

The DG-Block closed-loop controller is the star of Redex’s display this year. The all-in-one solution features a built-in precision amplifier, PID regulation algorithm, built-in power supply, integrated real-time data acquisition and modular design for versatile configurations. Advantages include faster and more accurate testing, improved reliability, reduced development cycles and compliance with the latest automotive standards. Redex is seeking insights on testing challenges across vehicle types and integration with existing workflows, and suggestions for additional features or automation that could enhance testing efficiency. “We’re excited to showcase Redex mechatronic solutions to demonstrate different, faster, more precise testing for next-generation vehicles, said Jean Baptiste Barruel, Merobel senior product manager at Redex USA. “We look forward to meeting engineers and innovators driving automotive innovation.” See the closed-loop controller at Booth 10052.

New sensor from Sensoric Solutions combines optical method with an IMU

Visitors to Sensoric Solutions’ booth are experiencing the company’s OMS Race and OMS 7 optical sensors, which combine the optical method with an IMU, offering angle accuracy better than 0.1° and speeds better than 0.1%. They boast easy handling, and work well under all conditions. Fabrice Martini, sales manager for the USA, noted, “The biggest change is in the field of electromobility and the associated requirements. Anyone who is not represented there has a problem!” Meet the team at Booth 8044.

Innkeeper highlights product performance and characterization tools

Innkeeper is at the expo to show visitors its InnControl platform, which supports the integration of lab equipment and allows for a broad range of hardware and software interfaces. Space and budget rarely allow for single-purpose test stands so the company says it makes good sense to use multifunctional and multipurpose equipment. InnControl allows users to build modular test stands with cost-effective components, define data acquisition as required for each test, modify test cycles using dropdown menus and modify logic as needed, operate with increased freedom and flexibility throughout the lab, and retrofit older equipment to boost safety, flexibility and performance. “Our InnControl test platform supplies the electrical and physical information to boost test productivity and possibly reduce the number of platforms needed to maintain a healthy performance/QA lab,” commented a company representative. Find out more at Booth 9018.

Voith showcases portfolio for drive system components and fluid power solutions

Voith is showing visitors its extensive portfolio for the testing sector, including highly flexible couplings to dampen torsional vibrations and torque shocks, thus safeguarding driveline components and extending their lifespan; torque-limiting couplings, with capacities from 1-20,000kNm; universal joint shafts, capable of transmitting power in drives with offset shafts, with torque capacities exceeding 20,000kNm; connection couplings to facilitate torque transmission across driveline joints without backlash; and hydraulic systems and self-contained servo drives for diverse applications. Todd Lehman, senior sales manager and engineer for coupling and drive technologies, said, “These products exemplify how Voith validates modern, high-grade machines. We want expo visitors to benefit from our decades of experience as a trusted partner for drive system components and fluid power solutions in the test engineering sector.” See the portfolio at Booth 9032.

CME Technology highlights high-energy battery shock test system
Front and center on CME Technology’s display is the KRD12 Series high-energy battery shock test system. With a high-strength and hardness cast-aluminum table, it features a Windows-based control system, pneumatic drive technology, multiple waveforms and automatic control of shock speed. Overseas sales assistant Ellie Ding said, “We are looking for visitors’ feedback on the system’s performance, usability and integration flexibility, especially in terms of how it can support their specific test requirements.” Find out more at Booth 11022.

Still to come tomorrow…

The Innovation Showcase returns for a final day of insight, trends and concepts

Highlights include Calspan’s presentation titled Crash testing meets CAE: Faster compliance, lower risk, global readiness; and Lumiloop’s CEO presenting Speed up your EMC measurements: Closed-loop e-field control in reverberation chambers. 12^th Wonder will present Digitally traceable, ISO 17025-ready test labs through unified lifecycle approach and Kyowa Americas reveal an Innovative wireless measurement system for strain, temperature and voltage testing.

Find out more on the Automotive Testing Expo website.

Click here to book your free expo pass to Automotive Testing Expo North America, which continues on Thursday. Alternatively, passes can be acquired on-site. Please visit the registration desk or organizer’s office to find out more

The exhibition

Pacific Power Source shows complete EV test solutions from vehicle to grid
The stars of Pacific Power Source’s display are the company’s AC and DC regenerative test solutions, featuring grid simulators, regenerative loads, battery test systems and battery emulators. As V2X technologies, fast charging and renewable integration advance, the need for versatile, grid-aware testing solutions continues to grow. Pacific Power Source’s systems were designed in response this and to the North American test and validation sector’s rapid adoption of regenerative, high-efficiency test platforms that combine AC and DC capability. Tom Ribaudo, national sales manager at Pacific Power Source, said, “We’re here to connect with engineers and developers who need flexible, real-world test solutions that accelerate validation of the next generation of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and energy storage systems.” The company is also seeking input on automation and evolving standards shaping future requirements.

See the AC and DC regenerative test solutions at Booth 10046.

Chroma shows real-power validation of battery pack behavior before vehicle integration
At this year’s expo, Chroma is displaying its 8610 Battery Pack Power HIL Testbed, built for EV developers who need real-power validation of battery pack behavior before vehicle integration. The HIL platform unifies real-time simulation with high-power hardware, allowing engineers to replicate real-world EV operating conditions safely. Advantages include modular architecture from cell-level BMS validation to full-pack and inverter testing, supporting CAN, LIN and ethernet communications. Chroma is at the show to learn where EV developers position HIL testing within their validation processes and what challenges remain in integrating power-level simulation into lab workflows. Jonathan McCallie, ATE sales director, said, “Our goal is to help labs modernize with modular, energy-efficient platforms that unify software simulation and hardware testing. It’s about cutting time-to-market while improving confidence in every subsystem we validate.”

Find out more at Booth 8000.

Photron debuts new high-speed cameras to help auto makers meet IIHS and NHTSA safety standards
The new Fastcam Mini W5 and Fastcam Mini W2 high-speed cameras are center stage on Photron’s booth. They feature high resolution (1920×1080 pixels) at high frame rates (to 5,000 full fps) to cover fast-moving events within large fields of view (e.g. offboard vehicle impact tests). Advantages include high light sensitivity to provide good image quality and effective depth of field. The cameras are also rugged to 100g to survive onboard vehicle impact tests. Photron’s high-resolution cameras are ideal for increasingly challenging IIHS and NHTSA physical tests. Tim Callenbach, director of sales and marketing at Photron, said, “We have attended Automotive Testing Expo for many years as it is the premier event for interfacing with the automotive testing engineers responsible for ensuring that automobiles meet the appropriate safety standards.”

See the new Fastcam Mini W5 and Fastcam Mini W2 at Booth 6050.

OXTS shows its most advanced GNSS/INS system for ADAS and autonomous vehicle testing
The RT3000 v4 is catching visitors eyes at OXTS’s booth. It features quad-constellation GNSS, real-time RTK and enhanced inertial performance, and delivers centimeter-level accuracy in GNSS-challenged areas. It’s compact, quick to warm up and integrates easily into existing test setups. With OXTS’s trade-in offer, users upgrading from the RT3000 v3 gain faster setup, and improved data quality and software features – making it a smart, cost-effective step forward in vehicle testing. Patrick Fletchall, North American sales manager, said, “Showcasing the RT3000 v4 and our trade-in scheme is a fantastic opportunity for RT3000 v3 users to upgrade and experience the latest in GNSS/INS technology. We’re here to meet the engineers and innovators driving the future of vehicle safety and autonomy, and to explore how our solutions can support their testing goals.”

See the RT3000 v4 at Booth 14016.

End-to-end V&V solution from Tracetronic integrates with CI/CD pipelines to manage SDV complexity
Tracetronic is showing its CI/CD with flow kits in Novi, featuring a fully automated and customizable test process from software delivery to release. The company is keen to identify what challenges companies are facing to ensure that its product provides an answer, particularly as companies look to integrate AI as part of their testing strategies. General manager Felix Mueller explained, “As all OEMs are struggling to manage SDV complexity and software quality, we want to present a full end-to-end solution for their verification and validation process that integrates with existing CI/CD pipelines. The best moment is when a visitor leaves the booth saying, ‘I had no idea what I just saw was possible until today’.”

Meet the team at Booth 10026.

openDAQ demo vehicle showcases interoperability between sensors from different vendors
openDAQ is displaying a vehicle equipped with sensors streaming measurements through DAQ devices from different manufacturers, highlighting the interoperability of the company’s systems. openDAQ enables seamless connectivity between measurement devices and software, reducing integration time and cost while giving users freedom to choose the most fitting products for their applications. The company says there is growing industry demand for openness, modularity and shared standards, with the shift away from closed ecosystems gaining momentum. “It’s great to be at ATE North America again, showing how openDAQ helps connect the test and measurement world,” enthused product manager Dušan Žibrat Kalanj, openDAQ. “We’re here to meet established companies and innovative startups wanting to make their products truly plug and play. The energy and curiosity at this event are what keep us moving forward.”

Experience the demo at Booth 10010.

Tactun’s AI-controller and no-code platform accelerates design and deployment of smart testing machines
Tactun is displaying its controller and no-code software builder that enable rapid design and deployment of smart testing machines. Tactun has integrated FPGA-based real-time control with a cloud-connected, no-code app builder. Manufacturers can configure I/O, define test logic and generate white-labeled Windows apps for their equipment, without writing code. This reduces R&D costs by up to 80% and cuts lead time from months to days, all while delivering ten times greater precision. CTO and co-founder Arev Hambardzumyan said, “Our goal is to help machine builders shorten development cycles and create smarter testing systems without software complexity. Automotive Testing Expo is a perfect place to meet equipment manufacturers and R&D leaders shaping the future of intelligent testing.”

See the AI controller and no-code platform at Booth 11042.

Huber demos latest eco-driven thermal systems for next-gen testing
In the spotlight on Huber’s booth is the company’s Unimotive 915W, capable of controlling temperature down to -90°C. Visitors can see two live application examples: a CC-902 freezing an engine block and a CC-K6 freezing the Huber logo, demonstrating the system’s power and control. Key advantages include fast response, wide temperature ranges, plug-and-play simplicity and natural refrigerants, including automotive-specific products that use CO₂ refrigerant technology, supporting high performance and environmental responsibility. With the North American test and validation shift toward electrification, tighter tolerances and sustainability, precise, eco-friendly thermal control is essential. “We’re so excited that we received our first Green Line Unimotives on US soil,” said Sam Hudson, Midwest/Southeast sales manager. “It’s proof that precision and sustainability can power the next generation of automotive innovation.”

Find out more at Booth 15004.

Innovation Showcase

The free-to-attend Innovation Showcase is taking place on the expo floor on October 21 and 23. Speakers are presenting innovative concepts, prototypes and future trends in automotive testing, and include representatives from dSPACE, Calspan, openDAQ, Vibration Research, NI and Emerson. Presentations will cover software-in-the-loop testing; virtual testing and AI; durability testing; and more.

Future of Automotive Testing Conference

The one-day Future of Automotive Testing Conference will take place tomorrow, October 22, offering strategic insights into the future of automotive testing, with perspectives from OEMs, suppliers, testing laboratories, research institutions and regulatory bodies. Companies presenting include Goodyear, Ford, Stellantis, Mahindra, Tata Technologies, ASAM, Bosch, AVL and FISITA.

Click here to book your free expo pass to Automotive Testing Expo North America 2025, which continues tomorrow and Thursday. Alternatively, passes can be acquired on-site. Please visit the registration desk or organizer’s office to find out more