To address this requirement, Göpel Electronic has developed the SmartController – a universal control solution designed for demanding individual or endurance tests, presentations and functional demonstrations, as well as laboratory applications that combines modern hardware, flexible software architecture and intuitive operating concepts in a compact system.

The SmartController is based on the proven Serie62 G CAR 6281 hardware platform and offers a modular architecture with versatile interfaces. With this, Göpel Electronic has created a universal hardware foundation that can be used across projects and customized as needed.

The SmartController supports up to eight bus interfaces, providing comprehensive support for automotive communication standards such as CAN, CAN-FD, LIN and Automotive Ethernet, including residual bus simulation, diagnostics and monitoring. The integrated Ethernet and wi-fi connectivity enables seamless networking and easy integration.

The generic software framework architecture ensures that future projects and new requirements can also be implemented efficiently. This makes the SmartController suitable for both long-term endurance tests and dynamic development and presentation environments.

A key feature is the tablet control framework, which enables modern and convenient operation. Its uniform structure enables use in various projects while maintaining a consistent user experience. Features such as the Sticky Keys input assistance (Touch ‘n’ Click/Make ‘n’ Break) support ergonomic and safe operation, Göpel said.

Recent news, Nio opens new UK R&D center in Oxfordshire

As hydrogen, methanol and ammonia gain relevance alongside conventional fuels, testing strategies must evolve to address new physical properties, safety risks and performance expectations. This shift is driving demand for modular, application-specific test systems capable of replicating real-world operating conditions with high precision.

A key challenge lies in the behavior of fuel-contact components under varying thermodynamic and media-specific conditions. Differences in viscosity, compressibility and reactivity between liquid and gaseous fuels require adaptable test environments. Modern systems must therefore combine hydraulic, mechanical and electronic testing capabilities within a single platform.

From component testing to system understanding

Advanced test systems now go beyond basic functional checks, enabling detailed analysis of flow rates, pressure behavior, leakage and long-term durability across components including valves, injectors, pressure regulators, rails and pumps. For injection systems, precise measurement of injection quantities and dynamic flow characteristics is critical.

One example is pressure-based measurement for injection analysis. Systems such as the IAV Cross Injection Analyzer determine injection rates from pressure changes in a fuel-filled channel, enabling dynamic, reproducible measurements without moving parts, reducing maintenance needs while supporting high-resolution data acquisition and real-time integration into digital test environments.

Lifetime and endurance testing also play a central role, with components subjected to mechanical and electronic stress scenarios to assess wear behavior and failure mechanisms over time; insights essential for validating designs intended for series production.

Simulating real-world conditions

A defining feature of modern test infrastructure is the ability to simulate realistic and extreme environmental conditions. Temperature-controlled test chambers enable testing across a wide range – from -76°F to +302°F (-60°C to 150°C) – while additional parameters such as humidity and ambient pressure can be adjusted to replicate specific operating environments.

The combination of environmental simulation with functional testing allows engineers to identify critical interactions early in the development process.

Complementing physical testing, feasibility studies and pre-validation in dedicated development labs help refine test procedures for new applications. This is especially important when dealing with emerging fuels, where standardized testing protocols may not yet exist.

Safety engineering as a core design principle

The introduction of alternative fuels adds significant complexity to safety engineering. Substances such as hydrogen, methanol and ammonia can form explosive atmospheres under certain conditions, making comprehensive hazard analysis essential.

As a result, modern test systems incorporate explosion protection concepts aligned with international standards such as ATEX and IECEx, alongside functional safety requirements defined by Performance Level (PL) and Safety Integrity Level (SIL).

Safety considerations extend beyond the test bench itself. Infrastructure factors such as ventilation systems, gas detection and facility layout are equally important. Effective solutions require a holistic approach that integrates test system design with the surrounding environment, often supported by early-stage risk assessments and coordination with local authorities.

Hydrogen testing and electrolyzer development

Hydrogen technologies add further complexity, particularly in electrolyzer development, where the focus shifts from individual components to entire systems, including single cells and stacks.

Testing requires combining electrical and fluid-based measurement techniques, assessing electrical performance, efficiency and degradation alongside flow distribution and thermal management – a convergence sometimes described as the merging of electronic and fuel testing.

Emerging test concepts support multiple electrolyser technologies, including PEM (proton exchange membrane), AEL (alkaline electrolysis) and AEM (anion exchange membrane). Modular architectures allow scaling across power classes and varying instrumentation levels, suiting both research and industrial pre-series validation.

Modularity as a strategic advantage

Given the uncertainty surrounding future fuel pathways, flexibility has become a key requirement. Modular test systems enable manufacturers to adapt to changing technologies without the need for entirely new infrastructure. Different test methods – such as flow measurement, leak testing and endurance testing – can be combined within a single system and expanded as requirements evolve.

This approach not only reduces investment risk but also accelerates development cycles. By enabling parallel testing and rapid reconfiguration, modular platforms support faster iteration and more informed decision-making.

Outlook

As propulsion technologies diversify, testing is becoming increasingly central to bridging innovation and industrialization. Generating reliable, application-specific data under realistic conditions is critical for performance, safety and regulatory compliance.

The trend is moving away from standardized solutions toward specialized, adaptable test environments, with modularity, safety integration and cross-disciplinary testing capabilities emerging as defining features of next-generation validation systems.

In recent news, Nio opens new UK R&D center in Oxfordshire

The shakedown runs at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire saw the 32ft-long vehicle driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE reach 208mph under its own hydrogen power – up from the 177mph recorded earlier in the program.

Alongside speed data, the team also gained engineering insight and refined coordination that JCB says can only be developed through on-track running. The crew also worked on the JCB Hydromax’s hydrogen refueling process, a key factor in ensuring fast turnaround on the Bonneville Salt Flats, where refueling speed can determine whether a record attempt proceeds. JCB says this experience will be valuable when the team returns to Utah next month.

JCB chairman Anthony Bamford said, “The UK testing program has given us everything we had hoped for and more. We have a car that runs, a crew that knows it inside out and a wealth of real-world data that no amount of theory could ever provide. The team has done a magnificent job and our focus now turns entirely to the Salt Flats and a new world hydrogen land speed record.”

JCB engineering director Ryan Ballard, who is leading the project, said, “Reaching 208mph is a tremendous result, but the real value of these tests is what we have learned. We now understand how the car behaves under load, we have refined our hydrogen refueling, and we have built the teamwork and communication that will be decisive at Bonneville. Every refuel, run and tire change we have rehearsed here is one we won’t be doing for the first time on the salt. We will arrive fully prepared, with a car and a crew that know exactly what they are doing.”

The car is powered by two of JCB’s own production-based hydrogen digger engines producing a combined 1,600bhp. With UK testing now complete, it will now be prepared for the journey to the USA. Lord Bamford has spearheaded the company’s £100m (US$132m) investment in hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, which now power diggers rolling off production lines.

At Bonneville in 2006, Andy Green drove the JCB Dieselmax car to its Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) diesel world land speed record of 350.092mph, powered by two JCB engines. That record still stands, and JCB aims to beat it with the lighter, more powerful JCB Hydromax.

Andy Green said, “To run JCB Hydromax up to 208mph here in the UK is hugely encouraging. The car feels strong and the team has gelled brilliantly. Now comes the real challenge – Bonneville, the spiritual home of the world land speed record. I can’t wait to get out on the salt.”

In Utah, the team will compete at SpeedWeek, run by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), before pursuing an officially recognised record under the FIA.

Related news, Nio opens new UK R&D center in Oxfordshire

Naturally, visitors and exhibitors felt that it was beneficial to be able to meet new and old faces, with the exhibition being a unique opportunity to do so. Exhibitors in the AI realm, and those with an AI application on display, noticeably captured visitors’ attention. Read ATTI‘s Day 1 roundup here and our Day 2 roundup here.

The MOVEdot workshop: AI agents in automotive testing, which was run by the company’s co-founder and CTO Bruno Finco, also proved incredibly popular. In a first for the workshop organizers, it was so busy that Finco ran it twice in one afternoon. 

On Day 1, Patrick Stiller, AI lead at tracetronic, presented in the Innovation Showcase – A journey to agentic testing – to a packed audience. Another example of the impact AI is having on the testing community. 

The content truly was the icing on the cake for visitors, with the AI and data-focused presentations in the Innovation Showcase receiving strong audience engagement. The majority of the talks and content streams in the ATTI Awards Forum and Innovation Showcase were well received and standing-room-only. 

With Euro 7 and Euro NCAP 2026 coming into place this year, it was clear to see that developers currently feel they are fighting an uphill battle, with more than ever on their plates. The frameworks were the topic of two panel discussions and raised some important questions. 

ATTI hosted an onstage interview with Emma Deutsch, tech director, Nissan Technical Centre Europe, and Guy Mathot, ADAS and connectivity software validation fleet supervisor. Richard Schram, Euro NCAP tech director, was unable to join ATTI onstage due to an unforeseen issue. 

Mathot candidly said during the discussion, “The additional amount of testing is a burden. With the extra scenarios and the introduction of extended types of testing, everything has to move faster. With the introduction of the robustness testing there is still a bit of a question mark as to how it’s integrated.”  

He revealed that the OEM has had adapt its tools and methods, invest in additional equipment – faster targets for example – and new tracks for high-speed crossings. 

In addressing the issue, he noted the importance of simulation, which was echoed by Deutsch, who commented, “You’ve got to go down the simulation route because, let’s be honest, if you don’t you’re dead. We’ve had to invest in that and train our engineers. We’ve also had to double down on our marketability team – it’s about getting that balance between what the customer wants and Euro NCAP.” 

“For me, the real value of attending an exhibition is the opportunity to have face-to-face conversations, build meaningful connections and see hands-on demonstrations in person. That level of engagement simply cannot be replicated online”
Vishnu Asvathanarayanan, function owner – system engineer, Valeo Detection Systems

Bugatti-Rimac’s vehicle dynamics controls manager Alessandro Pino appeared alongside the CEO and co-founder of Marple, Matthias Baert, to present A modern lakehouse architecture for automotive testing. Following the talk, he emphasized to ATTI, “We encourage teams to think beyond isolated datasets and adopt a centralized data strategy, using a unified data lake such as Marple DB combined with an exploration and analysis platform like Marple Insight.” 

It was also a welcome and refreshing change to see so many truck developers on the show floor, as well as on the panel discussions. There was even a professional truck driver, Tatiana Sokolova, taking notes in the audience, who was keen to give her input from a driver’s perspective and learn more about how simulation, AI and real-world data can support each other. 

“I came to Vehicle Tech Week to meet people and learn from the presenters and the show floor. It has been exhausting but happy. For me, the real value of attending in person is the spontaneous meetings you did not plan”
Carina Bjornsson, technical expert ADAS test methods, Volvo Cars

Like Deutsch at Nissan, Dr Christof M Weber wanted to highlight the criticality of always taking the customer into account, and to that effect, he arranged a meeting with Sokolova. He was on a panel discussion – Combining virtual environments with real-world testing – alongside Leo May, lead simulation engineer, Nissan Technical Centre Europe; Mikel Martinez, managing director, EPowerLabs; Andreas Richter, engineer program manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles; and moderator Carlos Sebastian Nerini, CEO and co-founder of WOM Testing Technologies.

Weber commented, “It’s about making concepts stable and resilient against changes during the project, resilient against variations and different models. Then it becomes clear that you have to do virtual testing when it comes to variance, because a prototype you build once cannot be copied 100,000 times, but you can perform hundreds of calculations.” 

“As a regular visitor, I came to Vehicle Tech Week to network and explore new solutions and technologies. The experience has been organized, slick and full of variety. Meeting vendors in person beats online every time”
Jon Gale, TS – rig and system integration, Jaguar Land Rover

VIP Executive Club

The event also featured the VIP Executive Club, a dedicated space for senior leaders that offered curated peer talks throughout the show. 

“We have had some great sessions and heard some great stories [during the PeerTalks],” said Arun Udamakuyar, systems architect, Jaguar Land Rover. Watch ATTI‘s interview with Udamakuyar and Porsche Engineering function developer for HV battery Afrighi Liriohc on our LinkedIn.

“In the peer sessions we have been discussing software-defined vehicles, the testing and validation, what is working and what the problems are. We have also been looking at possible solutions to the challenges surrounding SDVs,” added Afrighi Lirohc, function developer for HV battery, Porsche Engineering. 

Vehicle Tech Week Awards 2026

At the end of Day 2, visitors, exhibitors and other attendees had a chance to relax a little while networking and celebrating. The first Vehicle Tech Week Awards, which encompass the ATTI Awards, the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Awards and the Trailblazer Awards, were hailed as a huge success. The ATTI Award winners – Humanetics, DSD, Tracetronic, WeRide, DTS and Santiago Rayes – were absolutely delighted to receive the recognition. Read more about the ATTI Award winners here.

Visitor testimonials

“I came to Vehicle Tech Week to share our experience on a project of global relevance, gain feedback on our technical deployment strategy and explore the latest trends in CAV and AI presented by a broad range of industry players, from OEMs to component suppliers. My experience has been enlightening, useful and cool – literally, the air-conditioning worked well! Face-to-face events continue to be invaluable, offering a true opportunity to build an industry network”
Mircea Gradu, VP vehicle engineering and FISITA board chair, Karma Automotive and FISITA

“We usually interact with many [suppliers] over the phone or on Teams, so being able to meet them all in one place makes a real difference. It is also valuable to see competitors side by side, understand where their services overlap and have more organic conversations than you would in a set meeting. The experience has been informative and has opened up a lot of curiosity, leading to additional questions and follow-up workshops with suppliers back in the UK. Exhibitions are important because they help you step outside your own bubble, gather external opinions and see whether your views align with the wider industry”
Craig Lewis, Jaguar Land Rover

“I’m a vehicle engineer working on vehicle testing for new Ford Otosan projects. I wanted to learn about new systems, new equipment and new test centers from suppliers. The experience has been fun, intense and insightful. Attending an exhibition in person allows for real interaction, hands-on experience and stronger networking compared to online”
Suleyman Esen, senior vehicle NVH engineer, Ford Otosan

Dates for the diary

On offer at Automotive Testing Expo North America 2026 will be another content-packed program with insights from OEMs, academics and suppliers. That will include the Future of Automotive Testing Conference, focusing on the ‘shift-left’ movement, as well as the Innovation Showcase. It will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, October 22-25, 2026.

Vehicle Tech Week Europe will return to Messe Stuttgart June 2-3, 2027, and will continue to unite the automotive technology ecosystem across testing, autonomy, interiors and future mobility.

Read more: Find full coverage of Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2026 here

In this exclusive interview from the show floor of the expo, Finco discusses MOVEdot’s portfolio and what benefits it can bring to engineering teams.

“MOVEdot provides the AI agent platform for automotive teams, we give them an AI layer that connects everyone from the organization to all of their sources of data,” he said.

“We collect data from proving grounds, laboratories, rigs, simulations – everything is combined in a single environment, where you have A agents operating all of this data.

“What we’re seeing with our customers is instead of taking days or sometimes weeks to extract insights from this data, then can now do it in hours.”

Read more news, interview and highlights from Automotive Testing Expo Europe 2026, part of Vehicle Tech Week. 

In this exclusive interview from the exhibition show floor, he discusses how testing and validation is evolving, the virtual vs physical testing debate, and how important Automotive Testing Expo is for meeting people and driving development.

“It is important for seeing the hardware and software products, but also for exchanging ideas with other specialists, who come together to create new ideas,” he said. “It is always a pleasure to see what is new, and how you can push and shape the future of transportation.”

Automotive Testing Expo, part of Vehicle Tech Week, concludes today, Thursday, June 25. 

Click here to register for your free pass to Vehicle Tech Week Europe 2026.

With five categories for 2026 – Testing Hardware Innovation of the Year, Testing Software Innovation of the Year, Simulation Innovation of the Year, Facility of the Year and Supplier of the Year – the awards are more prestigious than ever.

The awards are coordinated by Automotive Testing Technology International magazine and judged by a panel of 15 international experts from across the automotive industry.

Rachel Evans, editor of ATTI and chair of the ATTI Awards, said, “It will come as no surprise to learn that we once again received a raft of entries for the Testing Software Innovation and Simulation Innovation categories, making the shortlist particularly difficult to narrow down. The Testing Hardware Innovation of the Year category also attracted a high number of contenders.”

With entries spanning acoustics testing, ADAS and AV analysis, active and passive safety development, and connectivity testing, it was Humanetics that won the Testing Hardware Innovation of the Year category with the THOR-5F. The company has been collaborating with NHTSA over the last few years to build the new female ATD, which is meant to fill the gaps and provide the means for accurate female crash testing. 

As Graham Heeps, former editor of ATTI and awards judge, put it, “More accurate representation of female occupants in vehicle crash testing is decades overdue.”

Each year, nominations in the Testing Software Innovation of the Year category grow, with entries ranging from automation systems and data-handling solutions to CI/CD technology and more. This year, Tracetronic’s one:cx, a groundbreaking end-to-end continuous integration/continuous development platform, took the top honor. The solution redefines how vehicle software is integrated, validated and approved.

Dr Ahmed Abada, a jury member who spoke on stage with Evans earlier in the day, noted, “The agentic testing direction is forward looking and aligns with where testing is headed.”

The shortlist for Simulation Innovation of the Year focused heavily on battery technology and, despite the slowdown in the rollout of AV technology, self-driving vehicle evaluation. This highlights the importance of virtual development in enabling the widespread adoption of alternatively powered vehicles and automated driving. Taking home the trophy was WeRide for Genesis – a general-purpose simulation model combining physical AI and generative AI for AV analysis. By bridging the real and simulated worlds, Genesis enables rapid and realistic scenario generation.

Said Evans, “Sometimes it’s relatively clear who the winner will be but I couldn’t call this one. It was refreshing to have Waabi’s mixed-reality application on the shortlist as it’s a little bit different. However, Genesis by WeRide ultimately won by a clear margin of 20 points.”

Facility of the Year featured a particularly diverse field of entries, nominated for a variety of reasons: DSD for its powertrain test service offering; Metrosert for its unique driverless vehicle facility; Mercedes-Benz for its world-first light test center; RISE for its 6G edge computing hub; Toyota for the refinements to its Arizona proving ground that will greatly improve the customer experience; and Hyundai for its sprawling new German hub.

Deservedly, it was DSD that took home the trophy, with the jury noting the measurable impact of its support and services. Operating as a development partner, Drive System Design’s engineers integrate seamlessly within customer teams, delivering adaptive, data‑rich testing that supports high‑fidelity model correlation and robust digital twin development.

“We’re absolutely delighted to receive the ATTI Facility of the Year award,” said Rob Smith, head of development and test at DSD. “It’s a fantastic recognition of the expertise, dedication and collaborative spirit that underpin everything we do at Drive System Design.”

He continued, “We’re proud to be supporting the development of next-generation propulsion systems across a wide range of sectors, from automotive and commercial vehicles to aerospace, defense and beyond. By bringing design, development and testing together within a single, integrated environment, we can move seamlessly from concept through to validation, helping customers tackle increasingly complex engineering challenges with confidence while accelerating development and reducing program risk.” 

Winning the Supplier of the Year title was Diversified Technical Systems, which was recognized for its sheer graft in bringing to market new technologies that push boundaries. In the past year, DTS has launched five key products, acting as an end-to-end solutions provider and enabling efficient setup, reliable power distribution, synchronized data capture and streamlined communication across increasingly complex crash-test environments.

“DTS is honored to receive the Supplier of the Year award. We view this recognition as validation of our global team’s ongoing commitment to developing the most innovative data acquisition systems on the market,” said Chad Ivan, sales and applications manager at DTS. “Supporting automotive and aerospace testing where ‘failure is not an option’ is at the core of everything we do. That’s one reason our technical support and development teams are always looking for ways to make our customers’ experience as seamless as possible, today and in the future.”

For 2026, the Vehicle Tech Week Trailblazer Awards were introduced, recognizing the personal achievements of some remarkable individuals. Handpicked by the editors, ATTI’s trailblazer is Santiago Rayes, product manager at GRAS Sound & Vibration. He was nominated for his contribution to shaping modern automotive acoustic testing – an important and growing field – including his exceptional leadership in advancing the development and introduction of the GRAS 45BD AutoKEMAR platform.

Evans concluded, “As we know, the vehicle testing field is extremely diverse, with niches within niches. Very often, there is a clear theme within some categories and across the sector as a whole. This year, however, there was a particularly wide variety of entries. That has been fantastic to see, as it demonstrates innovation happening in all corners of the industry. It is also especially rewarding for us to recognize businesses from very different areas, of all sizes and types.”

Look out for more on the winners in the September 2026 edition of Automotive Testing Technology International.

ATTI will continue to report on the news and insights from Automotive Testing Expo Europe, which runs until 3pm tomorrow (June 25). Click here to book your free expo pass to Vehicle Tech Week Europe 2026

See the full ATTI Awards 2026 shortlist here

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

The day started with a panel discussion on Euro 7. It’s a topic that has come in and out of the spotlight, and which ATTI has reported on several times over the past few years.

Next up was ATTI’s fireside chat with Dr Ahmed Ebada, an avid contributor to the magazine, on digital twins and AI. Asked what he hopes people will be thinking about – or doing differently – after they leave the discussion, he said, “I hope attendees leave with a more practical view of AI and digital twins. Rather than asking, ‘How can we deploy more AI?’ I would like them to ask, ‘How can we build trustworthy systems that continuously learn, validate and improve outcomes?’

“Whether we are discussing automated testing, digital twins, SDVs or autonomous systems, the key opportunity lies in connecting data, simulation, AI and real-world operations into a continuous feedback loop.

“Ultimately, I hope the audience recognizes that competitive advantage will not come from having the most AI models, but from building the most reliable and scalable AI-driven decision systems.”

Audience member Tatiana Sokolova, a professional truck driver, said she is especially interested in how AI, digital twins and intelligent testing technologies can better reflect real-world road conditions and professional driving experience. While the exhibition’s audience doesn’t typically include drivers, she was excited to add a practical, real-world angle to the discussions.

She commented, “I am especially interested in how real-world operational feedback from professional drivers can support testing, validation and safety discussions – for example, by helping to identify edge cases, unusual traffic situations, foreseeable misuse and boundary situations that may be difficult to capture only in simulations or standard test scenarios.”

The morning continued with presentations, and began this afternoon with another panel at 1:35pm, Safe by design, secure by default – navigating SOTIF, functional safety and cybersecurity in modern automotive testing, and more presentation and panels.

One of ATTI’s afternoon highlights is the presentation from Matthias Baert, CEO and co-founder of Marple, and Alessandro Pino, vehicle dynamics controls manager, Bugatti-Rimac – A modern lakehouse architecture for automotive testing – scheduled to take place at 2:25pm. Speaking ahead of the presentation Pino said, “Engineering teams often believe meaningful analysis requires local scripts, while server-based platforms are seen as tools for finance or business users. In reality, modern, server-based technologies are ideally suited to engineering workflows, enabling collaboration, scalability and faster insight generation.”

A panel discussion at 3:10pm will be led by ATTI on Euro NCAP 2026, which introduces the largest increase in test scenarios since the assessment program was launched is due to take place. Euro NCAP 2026: What the new safety framework means for the automotive testing community will cover key questions including how the changes are expected to affect testing and how long OEMs expect this transition to take, how tuning and verification activities will fit within overall development activities, virtual and physical analysis integration, and what Euro NCAP is doing to ensure its program isn’t disruptive to OEMs.

One of ATTI’s panelists, Emma Deutsch, director of customer-oriented engineering, test operations and DP office at Nissan Technology Centre Europe, who spoke to ATTI onstage last year, said, “I’m looking forward to discussing how we can work more collaboratively on vehicle safety. I hope that we can give the audience an insight into how these changes effect how vehicle design and development is being radically changed – and how this affects customers.”

The ATTI Forum will conclude with another panel followed by the awards.

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 2026, is open 9am to 3pm tomorrow, June 25

Read Dr Ebada’s column in the March 2026 edition

The 9,460ft2  site at Book End merges Nio’s former UK facilities at Begbroke Science Park and Bicester Motion into a single unit, comprising a dedicated CAE workspace and vehicle laboratory. The R&D center will support closer collaboration across the UK team and provide a more spacious and efficient base for future vehicle development work as the Chinese auto maker marks 10 years of R&D in the UK.

Danilo Teobaldi, principal chief engineer, Nio, said, “Bringing our virtual and physical UK engineering teams together in Witney will accelerate the development of innovations that improve the user experience. With new facilities, we can ensure Nio’s UK-based team continues to pioneer in areas such as class-leading Euro NCAP results for all three group brands, along with smart chassis system solutions for our global platforms.”

Ten years of innovation

In 2016, Nio established its global R&D center for performance and advanced concept engineering in Oxfordshire. Over the past decade, the operation has supported its global vehicle development programs, from the EP9 electric supercar launched in 2016, through to the Nio ET9, its smart executive flagship EV. Its engineers in the UK have also worked on the development of Nio’s third brand, Firefly, and its first compact EV.

Hui Zhang, vice president, Nio Europe, said, “For a decade, our Oxfordshire team has been an integral part of Nio’s global R&D network, contributing to multiple vehicle programs and engineering innovations across our global portfolio. As we celebrate this milestone, we thank the team for its dedication, expertise and contribution to Nio’s development over the past 10 years. The opening of our new Witney R&D center reflects our long-term commitment to the UK, Europe and international collaboration in advancing smart electric mobility.”

The center will facilitate CAE, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), simulation, safety, Euro NCAP safety assessments, durability, handling and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) developments. It will also serve as Nio Europe’s focal point for artificial intelligence regulation and representation within the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers’ (OICA) AI Cluster through the SMMT. Additionally, the team will contribute to EU policy and regulatory engagement through UNECE working groups and industry consultations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented, “This investment highlights the UK’s enduring strength as a center of automotive collaboration and engineering excellence. Nio’s decision to consolidate its R&D activity here in a new, state of the art facility also reflects the depth of British talent and expertise in next-generation vehicle technologies.

“It is a timely reminder that amid fierce global competition for investment, the UK can continue to attract and grow high-value innovation, supporting jobs, skills and the transition to zero-emission mobility.”

Related news, Real-world EV test names Xpeng X9 top performer