“It was a great start yesterday (May 19) with the launch of our smart prototyping concept with lots of positive feedback from customers and partners,” said Tanneke Reinders, executive VP at HBK. “From this morning’s presentations we really see ‘smart testing’ coming alive. The key is transforming from data creators to data interpreters – that’s the main shift for us. It’s about connecting data in one ecosystem. When we talk about data, especially the amount of data and fragmentation of it, we want to support.”

This year there are multiple tire-focused presentations, highlighting the critical role of the tire and its relationship with the vehicle. It seems tire and vehicle developers are working closer together than ever to refine their use of simulation and tighten the integration between the digital and real worlds. This was exemplified in the opening presentation by Alessandro Capobianco, R&D specialist for tire models and vehicle/DIL simulation at Bridgestone, and Eric Walter, vehicle dynamics CAE engineer at VW (both above), who provided an insight into their vehicle/tire co-development work, which has involved the sharing of a steering wheel model.

Another of ATTI’s highlights from the summit was the Nissan and Horiba Mira presentation (right), in which the two speakers, Leo May, lead simulation engineer, Nissan Motor Corp, and Stratos Stratoudakis, a consultant at Horiba Mira, detailed how they are working together to prioritize virtual development by moving it further forward in the cycle, with the ultimate aim of reducing development time by 25%.

Marc Hedrich, a development engineer at event exhibitor Team Rosberg Engineering, said, “We are presenting our expertise in providing simulation models. The focus for us is to learn new things because software is ever evolving and you don’t want to be left behind. I like this year’s approach of trying to get the best data and not the most. I’ve learned already how others such as Mercedes-AMG are using these tools. It’s cool to connect with companies that are doing similar things and others that are doing things we’ve never heard of.”

This morning concluded with a presentation from the rarely heard-from Tesla (top), which gave insights into the company’s NVH analysis using a simulator.

Francesco Calabrese who is attending as an exhibitor representing Fraunhofer ITWM as well as the institute’s spin-off, Virtual Tire Technologies, said, “It’s a good event to push the word for using more simulation with the goal of spending less money on prototypes. What I like is the excitement in this field as it grows – every year there are significantly more people which is a sign people are understanding the importance of it.”

More to come.

Related news, rFpro develops Japanese test route digital twin for virtual vehicle development

“VDA 4.1 is the result of listening closely to our customers’ needs,” said Mike Weglarz, ATI’s executive director for software products. “Engineers told us they needed greater flexibility in how they view and compare data across multiple monitors, native access to CAN and LIN bus trace data without switching tools, and smarter ways to collaborate on large MDF4 datasets across distributed teams. VDA 4.1 addresses all of this – and more.”

One of the key features is the floating and dockable workspace. Pages and tabs can be freely undocked into independent windows and repositioned across multiple monitors. Panel pages enable side-by-side views of graphs, data grids, GPS maps and CAN/LIN bus trace data simultaneously. Chain cursors link navigation across all open windows in real time, significantly improving multiscreen analysis workflows for rapid MDF4 file analysis.

VDA 4.1 introduces native display of CAN and LIN bus messages recorded within MDF4 files, complete with message filtering, a time slider and cursor synchronization with trace pages. Furthermore, engineers can now inspect raw bus traffic correlated directly with measured signals inside the single VDA 4.1 application – eliminating the need for a separate CAN analysis tool.

ATI’s new software includes a new dashboard page and live gauges. The new page type hosts circular and linear gauges, data lists and text boxes that can be locked once configured and linked to trace page cursors. VDA 4.1’s dashboard provides a quick view of different data and a professional, presentation-ready data view purpose-built for test debriefs and live review sessions.

It also comes with optional Vision Enterprise integration. VDA 4.1 integrates fully with the forthcoming optional Vision Enterprise (VE) 1.0 collaboration platform, which will provide centralized MDF4 file storage, powerful 21-criteria metadata search, folder notifications, tag/property editing and upload/download with progress tracking. Vision Enterprise is available as a separately licensed add-on and is expected to launch later this year.

In terms of performance and reliability, more than 30 targeted bug fixes address stability across calculated channels, MDF file handling, GPS visualizer with KML export, layout reapplication and ASCII export.

Vision Data Analyzer 4.1 is available as a subscription-based software license for 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11. Site licenses for corporate volume deployments are available on application. The soon-to-be-launched Vision Enterprise collaboration module requires a separate VE server license.

“For engineering teams already using ATI Vision data acquisition hardware, VDA 4.1 is the natural next step,” noted Peter Knivett, executive VP for commercial at ATI. “And for teams using any MDF4-compatible datalogger, VDA 4.1 offers a professional-grade analysis environment at a price point that is highly competitive with far more complex toolchains. The combination of flexible workspace, CAN/LIN trace viewing and optional future Vision enterprise collaboration makes this a compelling choice for control system development teams.”

VDA 4.1 is designed for test engineers, calibration engineers, data analysts and validation teams at OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and engineering service providers. It supports automotive powertrain, chassis, EV/HEV and ADAS development, as well as heavy truck and bus, agricultural, marine, aerospace and off-highway applications – wherever ASAM MDF4-format test data is used.

Look out for a feature on data acquisition, the data pipeline and other aspects such as edge computing in the June edition of ATTI – due to land soon. Read the latest issue for FREE here

When Hyundai Mobis required a reliable test solution to verify its Hybrid eCall system, the company selected Anritsu for its proven expertise in automotive communication testing.

As the automotive industry transitions from the conventional eCall emergency call system operating on 2G and 3G networks, where vehicles automatically contact emergency services in the event of an accident, to the next-generation (NG) eCall system using 4G networks, Hybrid eCall is crucial in bridging the gap.

Hyundai Mobis has adopted Hybrid eCall and overcome significant challenges, including acquiring test equipment, mastering the advanced 4G and 5G mobile protocols required for call initiation, and addressing the limitations of network simulation environments in the early stages of development.

Anritsu’s eCall Tester MX703330E and Signalling Tester MD8475B provided an effective solution to these challenges. By establishing a comprehensive test environment and using automated conformance testing and log analysis functions, Hyundai Mobis promptly identified the root causes of operational issues. Furthermore, sharing the test environment between the development and verification teams improved consistency, reliability and operational efficiency.

Hyundai Mobis integrates Hybrid eCall functionality into its data connectivity unit (DCU). Conformance testing is conducted to EU regulations and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) standards to verify the system’s functionality across various network conditions as well as ensuring interoperability with public safety answering points (PSAPs).

In addition, Hyundai Mobis was required to design test scenarios, perform error analysis, prepare detailed test reports and develop technical verification documents necessary for certification. These processes were supported by Anritsu’s simulation and functional testing capabilities.

There were two primary reasons why the company selected Anritsu’s test solution.

First, it enables comprehensive Hybrid eCall testing with an all-in-one tester. Previously, separate testers were required to verify Hybrid eCall, NG eCall and eCall. By integrating Anritsu’s MX703330E software-based tester with the MD8475B hardware tester, all three types of eCall functionality can be tested using a single solution. This integration reduced initial investment requirements and operational workload, improving overall verification efficiency.

The second reason was enhanced collaboration and efficiency using the same test environment as the development team. This alignment facilitated accurate issue reproduction and streamlined root cause analysis. Additionally, Anritsu’s clear setup documentation contributed to more efficient software updates and debugging activities.

With Anritsu’s technical support, Hyundai Mobis teams gained early access to the MX703330E, MD8475B and beta firmware versions. This enabled them to verify Hybrid eCall‑related software updates prior to official release, and perform conformance testing during the development stage.

Anritsu’s test solution also helped Hyundai Mobis build expertise in 4G and 5G mobile communications and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling. Analyzing the operation of the SIP using the sequence log feature provided a practical understanding. Furthermore, the setup procedures were based on the provided manuals, and network simulations were repeatedly conducted with on-site support and phone consultations with Anritsu’s staff. With this support, the teams steadily acquired the knowledge of mobile communications required for eCall verification.

The teams also needed to simulate various network conditions. Using the handover and cell configuration features of the MX703330E and MD8475B, including signal strength control, ECL settings and service controls, they were able to effectively reproduce real-world network conditions. This enabled prompt and effective software verification.

Since implementing Anritsu’s test solution, compatibility between the DCU and the test environment has remained consistently high. The teams experienced no notable issues when integrating the product with existing hardware. The test environment was configured efficiently, and stable operation was achieved from the initial stage of deployment.

Hyundai Mobis has been able to conduct reliable, repeated testing in the laboratory, building a normal testing environment. It has also automated conformance testing and network simulations. Test scenarios were created using Anritsu’s SmartStudio Manager (SSM) MX847503A, which supports the generation of rapid and reliable test results, thereby contributing to improved development efficiency and product quality.

When issues arise, reviewing the sequence and message logs of the tester allows immediate determination of whether the problem is due to device settings or the hardware itself. This enables the verification team to provide accurate and timely feedback to the development team, reducing the time required for root cause analysis and problem resolution.

During the implementation process, Anritsu supported the teams from the program installation stage, which allowed them to establish the test environment smoothly. One unexpected issue was that the USIM card initially provided for the device was not compatible with performing the test eCalls required for functionality verification. Anritsu promptly provided a compatible USIM card, allowing the verification activities to continue without interruption. No additional compatibility issues were observed with the existing DCU verification setup.

Another challenge was the provision of a reporting tool, including testers’ logs. The initial conformance test reports could not be presented as objective evidence to certification bodies and relevant departments, necessitating further improvements. In response, Anritsu updated the reporting tool to create highly reliable reports that included logs from the MX703330E. As a result, verification results could be presented more clearly and convincingly.

Anritsu’s tester is stable and reliable, enabling the Hyundai Mobis teams to focus on analyzing hardware issues during the verification processes. On-site support and telephone and email communication from Anritsu – along with the manuals provided by Anritsu’s representatives – enabled the Hyundai Mobis teams to acquire the skills to operate the tester.

With Anritsu’s technical support, Hyundai Mobis plans to expand automation within its verification processes.

Beyond the eCall functions, the Anritsu test solution supports verification capabilities, including SMS transmission and throughput measurement. Although the details of these functions are still being finalized, Hyundai Mobis hopes to use them to increase the value of the equipment by broadening the scope of verification, enabling a more multifaceted analysis of product performance and, ultimately, contributing to the development of even higher-quality products.

Need to know

• Anritsu’s test solution enables comprehensive Hybrid eCall testing with an all-in-one tester
• Real-world network conditions can be reproduced, enabling effective software verification
• Hyundai Mobis recently sought a reliable partner to test its Hybrid eCall technology
• It chose Anritsu for the supplier’s expertise in automotive communications testing

For 2026, the ATTI Awards program recognizes technologies across five categories – Testing Software Innovation of the Year, Testing Hardware Innovation of the Year, Simulation Innovation of the Year, Facility of the Year and Supplier of the Year – following a rigorous review of the many submissions. Perhaps the most intriguing awards of the five categories will be the Testing Hardware Innovation and Testing Software Innovation of the Year, with seven nominees in each.

The 2026 cohort reflects a strong maturation in software-based testing and validation generally, including virtual analysis solutions, with a heavy emphasis on the application of AI and automation in various ways, and a reduction in siloed processes.

The winners of the ATTI Awards 2026 will be announced at a ceremony at 4:30pm on June 24, Day 2 of Automotive Testing Expo Europe – now part of Vehicle Tech Week Europe, which includes Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo and Automotive Interiors Expo – in Hall 8 at Messe Stuttgart, Germany.

This is a fantastic chance for ATTI to honor the inspirational work of teams across the sector, celebrating their achievements and showcasing their stories while offering a networking opportunity for everyone.

The ceremony will be preceded by the ATTI Awards Forum, featuring a series of presentations and fireside chats on a range of key industry topics. It’s a valuable opportunity to gain insights from fellow professionals, spark meaningful discussions and even connect with potential partners. The full schedule of sessions will be announced soon.

Testing Software Innovation of the Year

AB Dynamics – Euro NCAP 2026 Special Groups
Drive System Design – E-motor and Inverter Optimization Test Program
dSPACE – Test Automation Software Development Kit
Imc – FAMOS 2026 +AI
Tracetronic – One:cx
Marple – Marple DB

Testing Hardware Innovation of the Year

AB Dynamics – GST 120 Plus
Humanetics – THOR-5F
Technica Engineering – Capture Module SerDes GMSL2/3
Spirent Communications – PNT Xe
Rohde & Schwarz – FSWX signal and spectrum analyzer
Tier IV – DTV kit
Gras Sound & Vibration – 45BD AutoKEMAR head and torso simulator

Simulation Innovation of the Year

Head Acoustics – PreSense Drive
WeRide – Genesis
SandboxAQ – AQVolt26
MHP – DIN SAE SPEC 91487:2025-08
Waabi – Mixed-reality testing

Facility of the Year

Drive System Design – UK facility
RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) Proving Ground AstaZero – 6G, edge computing facility
Mercedes-Benz – Light testing tunnel
Metrosert – Mobile test facility for self-driving vehicles
Hyundai – Square Campus R&D center
Toyota Arizona Proving Ground

Supplier of the Year

Diversified Technical Systems (DTS)
AVL
Ansible Motion
ASC Sensors
Compredict

Keep an eye on the ATTI magazine site and the Automotive Testing Expo website for further details on the ATTI Forum – and secure a ticket now.

For an exclusive insight into some of the most recently opened test facilities, vehicle development case studies and the latest testing hardware and software, see the March edition of ATTI

Based on the original GRAS KEMAR platform, this latest artificial head introduces a fully redesigned automotive-focused architecture including wide, flexible positioning capabilities; a user-reconfigurable system – one unit supports multiple applications; ISOFIX-compatible seat mount for secure and repeatable installation; a rattle-free design enabling reliable on-road testing; adjustable height, seat distance, tilt, rotation and viewing angle, coverage of the full ear ellipse and beyond; optional integrated mouth simulator; and low-noise configuration.

“In-cabin sound today is judged by what people perceive, not just what instruments record. With AutoKEMAR, we set out to capture sound from a realistic listening position inside real vehicle interiors, so engineers can make decisions based on data that truly reflects the occupant experience – without sacrificing repeatability,” said Santiago Rayes, product manager at GRAS Sound & Vibration.

Unlike microphone arrays that do not simulate the human body’s influence, AutoKEMAR captures a truer-to-life listening experience. It is developed for automotive acoustic measurements in static lab setups, dynamometer tests, wind tunnel tests and real-world on-road testing.

“Engineers told us they needed a solution that could move naturally within the vehicle cabin while remaining stable and repeatable during testing,” Rayes added. “AutoKEMAR combines realistic human acoustic simulation with exceptional positioning flexibility, making it suitable for everything from lab validation to real-world on-road measurements.”

It enables high-fidelity measurement of audio system performance and tuning, sound quality and sound design, infotainment and DSP testing, speech intelligibility and voice quality, hands-free communication, in-cabin NVH and wind tunnel measurements.

The flexible seat mount and head positioning system enable engineers to simulate different driver sizes, seating positions and viewing angles, making it the ideal solution for headrest speakers, spatial audio and advanced driver interaction systems. The result is a highly realistic human acoustic simulation tool that accurately represents the influence of the human body in the vehicle sound field.

More on GRAS’s latest HATS and other indispensable testing tools for 2026 in the March edition of ATTI – due to land next week.

ATTI delves into the difficulties being encountered by NVH specialists within electric vehicles in the March 2024 issue

From here, the developer of real-time test technology for control designs and embedded controllers will be able to give greater support in earlier validation phases and collaborate closer throughout system development and testing.

The new hub is near the MathWorks headquarters; Speedgoat’s real-time test systems support model-based development workflows integrated with MathWorks Matlab and Simulink for controls applications.

Essentially, the local assembly and integration capabilities will enable Speedgoat to more efficiently support OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, system integrators and research teams with application-specific HIL systems tailored to required sample rates, connectivity and environmental conditions.

Patric Schenk, MD AMER (North, Central and South America) at Speedgoat, said, “By expanding our North America operations, we are bringing our expertise, systems and services closer to our customers. The new office allows us to deliver fully integrated HIL test benches locally while providing faster, more responsive support to engineering teams across the United States and Canada.”

In addition to the well-established local technical support, the new facility provides an improved on-site lab and training where customers can perform factory acceptance testing on the HIL test benches. The new office will also offer workflow integration and application services along with extended jumpstart sessions to support faster adoption.

Related news, Infineon and Typhoon HIL collaborate to accelerate xEV development with real-time HIL

The full-day workshop is set-up to provide practical insights into working efficiently with engineering measurement datasets. The agenda includes sessions on data visualization and interactive analysis, data import and export, automated workflows using sequences and panel pages, feature identification and extraction, durability and fatigue analysis, as well as noise and vibration analysis. The event also includes opportunities for discussion and networking with FAMOS experts and fellow users.

The workshop is designed for engineers, test specialists and analysts from all industries who want to deepen their expertise in engineering data analysis and explore the latest capabilities of FAMOS. Attendees will gain hands-on experience with FAMOS capabilities and learn how to transform raw measurement data into actionable engineering insights more efficiently.

The FAMOS Workshop is free, but participants need to cover their travel costs and accommodation and bring their own computer with FAMOS software installed. The latest version is recommended, but previous versions are also supported. This can also be the 30-day FAMOS trial, available for download on the imc website.

Related news, Data analysis software FAMOS 2024 launched by imc Test & Measurement

Guided by a shared vision of fully automated, CI/CD-connected development environments based on open standards and modern software practices, the suppliers aim to make HIL testing truly ‘soft’ – meaning software-driven –  as well as being flexible, scalable and seamlessly deployable. This is central to supporting the evolution toward software-defined vehicle architectures.

Gianluca Vitale, software global unit manager at AVL, said, “At AVL, our software strategy continues to evolve with a clear focus on accelerating development through end-to-end solution responsibility, positioning ourselves as an open integrator that enables customers to move faster and more efficiently.”

“Together with VCarSystem, we are introducing disruptive, end-to-end approaches that radically speed up software release cycles and E/E integration, offering a new benchmark for testing efficiency and development agility,” said Qi Chen, president of VCarSystem. “Partnering with AVL marks a significant step toward reshaping the future of vehicle development in the era of software-defined vehicles.

“As the industry shifts from hardware-bound architectures to software-driven mobility platforms, validation must evolve at the speed of software. Together with AVL, we are building an open, scalable testing ecosystem that accelerates function validation, shortens development cycles and enables continuous innovation throughout the SDV lifecycle – creating long-term sustainable value for our global customers and partners.”

Related news, MissionH24 accelerates hydrogen innovation with AVL Racetech simulation technology

By making this work available as an early preview, Codethink is inviting organizations interested in applying open source approaches to functional safety to review and begin working with the mapping while the work continues to mature. 

“This preview release reflects our belief that trust in software must be engineered in the open. We want organizations working at the cutting edge of safety-critical software to be able to review, evaluate and begin applying these mappings as they evolve,” said Paul Sherwood, chairman of Codethink. 

The Eclipse Trustable Software Framework defines six tenets – provenance, construction, changes, expectations, results and confidence – each aligned to the objectives of IEC 61508. This structure enables organizations to connect everyday software development practices with the rigor expected in safety-critical systems. 

Codethink plans to contribute the mapping to the Eclipse Trustable Software project once the company has achieved a successful functional safety assessment of CTRL OS using the TSF. This future contribution will build on the baseline assessment achieved last year and represents the next step in validating the framework in a production software environment. 

Until that milestone is reached, the mapping is being made available as an early preview for those interested in exploring open, transparent approaches to safety and compliance. 

“Our goal is simple, by demonstrating compliance with the Trustable Software Framework, organizations should be able to demonstrate alignment with the world’s most important safety and regulatory standards. Open collaboration is the fastest way to get there,” said Sherwood.  

The June edition of ATTI – read online here – will include a software feature investigating the latest in integrated testing, continuous integration and continuous development (CI/CD) and predictive testing

Related news, Codethink’s Eclipse Trustable Software Framework achieves positive functional safety assessment

McLaren can now explore more of the design space, run complex tests and simulations faster, and tune every component with greater precision. The platform also reduces manual, repetitive tasks through leveraging engineering agents.

Nick Collins, CEO of McLaren Automotive, explained, “This is a genuine strategic transformation for the business. By continuously compounding and optimizing our data, our intelligence and our engineering philosophies at unimaginable speed, we can deliver product developments at pace, while protecting the DNA of our company.”

The Rescale system is trained exclusively on McLaren data and uses Nvidia AI infrastructure, AI physics models and agentic engineering libraries. It connects McLaren’s CAE, systems engineering and design into a unified AI data fabric that continuously learns and optimizes, while adhering to McLaren’s quality standards and performance characteristics. 

“Our foundational platform allows McLaren to leverage the latest agentic engineering technologies powered by Nvidia AI infrastructure, providing a compounding source of competitive advantage for engineers in critical areas of product development, such as carbon materials, structural dynamics, durability and ultimately the programmatic scaling of engineering excellence across every discipline, to deliver world-class products faster,” said Joris Poort, founder and CEO of Rescale.

Tim Costa, VP and GM, computational engineering at Nvidia, said, “The future of automotive engineering is being rewritten by agentic AI and advanced simulation, turning decades of design heritage into a live, generative engine that accelerates every stage of the vehicle lifecycle. By integrating Rescale’s unified control layer with Nvidia’s open models for agentic AI and accelerated physics, McLaren is compressing years of traditional simulation into hours of real-time design exploration.”