The system combines an FPGA core for real-time data processing with interchangeable SerDes (serializer/deserializer) interface devices, enabling engineers to reconfigure test setups as display and camera requirements change.

The launch is the latest addition to Emerson’s NI PXI platform, an open, modular test system, and extends its capabilities for automotive testing applications. The system includes the NI PXIe-1480 FlexRIO multiprotocol vision carrier module, which supports interchangeable interface devices for testing automotive displays and cameras. The first available interface devices support FPD-Link IV, a high-speed automotive video interface used in ADAS and in-vehicle display applications.

As vehicle architectures shift toward centralized electronic control units, engineers must validate multiple high-speed interfaces on increasingly complex systems. Conventional display test methods, often relying on cameras or visual inspection, limit scalability and introduce variability. By providing a direct interface to ECU and display SerDes input/output (I/O), the modular PXI-based approach improves test coverage through automated, deterministic testing. The result is a single, flexible platform that streamlines validation and improves test repeatability.

“The increasing complexity of automotive electronics requires a more flexible and scalable approach to validation,” said Sam Burhans, chief product manager with Emerson’s test and measurement business. “This modular architecture allows engineers to adapt their test systems to evolving interface standards without redesigning their entire setup.”

The NI PXIe-1480 carrier module serves as the foundation for this architecture, supporting interchangeable interface devices tailored to specific testing requirements.. Emerson plans to extend the platform later this year with additional interface devices supporting a broader range of camera and display protocols.

The solution is designed for engineers in automotive validation and production test environments, including Tier 1 suppliers and original equipment manufacturers, supporting applications across in-vehicle infotainment, ADAS and autonomous driving systems.

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By integrating advanced hardware and software into a unified interior solution, XiM27 demonstrates user-centric innovation in line with emerging trends, which underscores the company’s position as an industry leader in smart cabin development, the auto maker said.

Designed around scenarios

The XiM27 is designed around a reconfigurable cabin that can shift between a driver-focused layout, a face-to-face lounge, a relaxation setting or a mobile workspace within seconds, with the aim of enabling occupants to use travel time more productively or comfortably depending on their needs.

When parked, swivel seating and social layouts support conversation and shared activities, while automated-driving scenarios open the interior to more restorative experiences shaped by lighting, sound, seating posture and climate.

Flexible architecture

“The cabin components and innovations are production-ready, designed from day one for safe, comfortable experiences in and above AD Level 3, so time in the car finally feels as valuable as time at home or in the office,” said Patrick Nebout, CTO of Yanfeng Technology.

The concept features several seating innovations, including a system that automatically adjusts seat position, firmness and temperature based on learned user preferences. The platform supports modular layouts across three rows, with a face-to-face seating lounge, a rocking seat, a second row that converts to a flat bed, and a third row that can switch between cargo and lounge configurations.

A centralised domain controller connects the XiM27’s interior systems – including infotainment, seating, climate control, door panels and ambient lighting – enabling the cabin to reconfigure between working, relaxing, sleeping and entertainment settings. The interior also incorporates foldable tables, multiple screens and full-length floor rails running the length of the cabin, enaling seats and floor consoles to be repositioned independently.

Holistic wellness, intelligent HMI and immersive lighting 

The cabin “prioritizes user well-being and intuitive human-machine interface (HMI) interactions”, Yanfeng said. In the front cabin, a 35.4in Panoramic head-up display is integrated into the instrument panel, offering clear visual information alongside subtle ambient lighting. To facilitate transitions between manual and autonomous driving, the steering wheel automatically folds into the dashboard.

Passenger well-being is a central design theme, with comfort features designed to support longer travel periods. These include an adjustable ventilation system with variable air distribution, and a sliding and rotating centre console incorporating a dual-zone refrigerator, wireless charging, an extendable worktable and an active oxygen generator with blood oxygen monitoring.

The XiM27 cabin incorporates ultra-thin wrap-around light strips, 3D dynamic light-transmitting surfaces and touch-interactive LUXkin materials, combined with tactile smart materials and integrated displays. Yanfeng said the lighting concept is designed to make the cabin feel responsive to occupants rather than purely functional.

The XiM27 received the Red Dot Design Concept Award 2026.

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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.

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The Kolín laboratory delivers comprehensive automotive materials testing services with a strong focus on vehicle interior air quality (VIAQ) and flammability. The facility supports manufacturers and suppliers seeking accurate, locally delivered testing services aligned with OEM specifications and regulatory requirements.

The laboratory is equipped to determine volatile organic compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde content in materials and parts, as well as associated interior emissions performance, including odor and fogging assessments. Advanced analytical technologies such as gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS), high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and controlled sampling chambers enable reliable and repeatable results across a wide range of automotive interior materials and components.

Established with the support of expert SGS teams from Germany, the Kolín laboratory benefits from transferred methodologies, standardized testing practices and proven technical know‑how developed across SGS’s global automotive materials network. The laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025‑accredited for formaldehyde testing, fogging, odor and flammability.

“With the opening of the Kolín laboratory, we are strengthening our ability to support automotive manufacturers and suppliers with high‑quality, locally accessible materials testing services,” said Gregory Lechki, head of automotive materials testing services, connectivity and products. “By combining advanced analytical capabilities with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, we help customers meet regulatory requirements while improving vehicle interior quality, safety and overall market readiness.”

In other facilities news, last month Toyota Motor Europe opened a digital hub in Poland

Lucid developed the Gravity’s AR HUD hardware, feature set, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) internally. Basemark engineers used Rocksolid Studio to implement Lucid’s specifications. Rocksolid Studio is a low-code toolkit that allows efficient development of immersive automotive AR and human-machine interface (HMI) applications. Its interconnected AR SDK supports the computational needs specific to automotive AR.

“We are extremely proud to have been chosen by Lucid to help them develop their new AR HUD experience for the amazing Lucid Gravity,” said Tero Sarkkinen, the CEO and founder of Basemark. “The car is brilliant and continues to win industry awards, and Basemark is thrilled to be a part of this great story. Lucid’s commitment to innovation and design excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to bring safe, high-performance AR to production vehicles.”

The project marks an expansion of Basemark’s presence among next-generation electric vehicle manufacturers, and reinforces Rocksolid’s position as a leading embedded AR platform for automotive series production.

The AR HUD will be available in the Lucid Gravity, with additional features planned for delivery through future software updates.

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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

Following a successful pilot in 2024, Antolin is scaling Neural Concept’s platform across key product lines. Technology integrates with existing design and simulation environments, enabling faster iterations, enhanced teamwork and data-driven insights that guide design decisions more efficiently.

“Artificial intelligence is becoming an essential tool to accelerate innovation and improve design efficiency,” said Pedro Santesteban, group VP of global engineering and AI at Antolin. “Working alongside Neural Concept allows us to explore new ways of applying AI to strengthen our engineering processes and the capabilities of our teams.”

Reinventing interior lighting with AI 

Interior lighting is an increasingly essential element in elevating both driver and passenger experience, while also reinforcing brand identity and comfort across premium and mainstream vehicles. In the past, Antolin’s R&D teams relied on manual design iterations guided by expertise and validated through time-consuming simulations – a process that often stretched over several weeks.

The use of AI aims to strengthen cross-functional cooperation and efficiency across Antolin’s teams while meeting the strict safety and performance standards required by global OEMs.

Faster workflows, greater innovation

With an initial focus on lighting systems, Antolin and Neural Concept plan to expand their partnership to other interior components, from plastic parts to complex assemblies. The long-term vision is to reimagine the entire interior design workflow.

Neural Concept enables Antolin to accelerate product development while supporting long-term competitiveness and innovation. By providing teams with control over an AI-driven development platform, it equips engineers with the tools to lead and shape future industry advancements.

“Automotive interiors are evolving into one of the most critical areas of design differentiation for car makers,” said Dr Pierre Baqué, CEO and co-founder of Neural Concept. “By partnering with Antolin, a global key player in the field, we are helping their teams explore new creative possibilities in close coordination. Through AI-augmentation, we enable engineers to make smarter, data-driven decisions while eliminating the costly bottlenecks of manual iteration. We look forward to expanding our collaboration across interiors and beyond, enabling Antolin to innovate faster and more boldly in automotive design.”

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Volkswagen’s materials testing program aims to establish a global network of approved laboratories to verify the quality and safety of parts manufactured by the auto maker’s suppliers. Through this accreditation, Element can support suppliers with reliable, independent testing services aligned with Volkswagen’s requirements, helping streamline validation and approval processes.

Kinzie Austin, VP of mobility at Element, commented, “We are delighted to become an approved participant in Volkswagen’s supplier testing program and support their supplier network with accredited testing that meets their high performance standards. It is important recognition of the expert testing work our team undertakes across the automotive industry.”

Element’s Warren and Plymouth laboratories offer a broad range of advanced materials testing capabilities supporting the automotive sector, including durability, environmental resistance, surface performance and interior and exterior materials validation. This accreditation further enhances Element’s ability to support original equipment manufacturers and suppliers throughout the automotive supply chain.

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According to Digital.ai, organizations face increasing technical and regulatory pressures, including stricter distracted driver safety guidelines, ASPICE compliance and rising software-related recalls. Addressing this, the company streamlines testing across AAOS, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enabling real-device validation for projected experiences and consistent performance across a wide range of displays, devices and real-world driving conditions.

“Drivers expect the same polished, intuitive digital experience in their cars that they enjoy on their phones,” said Derek Holt, the CEO of Digital.ai. “Historically, building and testing in-car applications at scale has been extremely difficult, where complexity is compounded by variable display sizes, OS versions, hardware setups, compliance requirements and safety considerations. By supporting test automation for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay alongside AAOS and mobile, we’re giving auto makers and app developers the ability to validate real-world driving experiences before cars hit the road. This is a major milestone for the industry, and one that will help teams reduce risk, accelerate releases and ultimately protect drivers on the road.”

In recent news, Anritsu and Head Acoustics launch advanced voice quality testing solution

The solution, which is compliant with ITU-T Recommendation P.1140, enables precise assessment of voice communication quality between vehicle occupants and public safety answering points (PSAPs), supporting faster and more effective emergency response.

With NG eCall over 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) now mandatory in Europe as of January 1, 2026, ensuring high-quality, low-latency voice communication during vehicle emergencies has become essential. After a collision, calls are conducted hands-free inside the vehicle cabin, where high noise levels, echoes and other acoustic challenges can significantly degrade speech clarity. Reliable voice performance is therefore critical to accurately conveying the situation and enabling rapid rescue operations.

The solution integrates Anritsu’s MD8475B (for 4G LTE base-station simulation) or MT8000A (for both 4G LTE and 5G NR simulation) with Head Acoustics’ Acqua voice quality analysis platform. This combination enables comprehensive evaluation of transmitted (microphone) and received (speaker) audio under a wide range of realistic operating conditions.

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