Automotive Testing Equipment | Automotive Testing Technology Magazine

Göpel expands Scanflex with CAN-FD/LIN module

Zahra Awan — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:42:55 +0000

Serial communication remains the backbone of electronic communication in the automotive sector. The cost-effective LIN (local interconnect network) bus with master-slave architecture and the fast multi-host fieldbus CAN-FD (controller area network) have become established in this field, and the advantage and efficiency of the applications lie in the combination of both bus systems. Göpel Electronic has introduced an extension for its Scanflex multi-port bus I/O Module 9305, which supports these interfaces and makes the functional diversity of the Scanflex system available for automotive interfaces in production testing.

With the new BAC module for CAN-FD/LIN, these interfaces can now be tested for functionality during production. The Bus Access Cable (BAC) is connected to one of the five slots on the Scanflex multi-port bus I/O Module 9305. This enables access to the complex test functions of the Scanflex boundary scan controller, which then takes over the simultaneous generation and dynamic distribution of the vectors and control sequences to the interfaces.

What is Scanflex?

Scanflex is a modular JTAG/boundary scan controller. Based on state-of-the-art multi-core processors and FPGAs, it enables users to execute test and programming technologies from embedded JTAG solutions. Its multifunctional architecture enables these technologies to be combined flexibly and with high performance on a single platform.

AVL and VCarSystem in technology tie-up to advance E/E testing

Rachel Evans — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:44:56 +0000

Developers will now have access to a suite of new electrical and electronics (E/E) testing and validation technologies through a partnership between AVL and VCarSystem that brings together simulation, automation and HIL.

AVL says the tie-up builds on its expertise in vehicle development, system integration and high-fidelity simulation, alongside VCarSystem’s HIL platforms – culminating in a software-first, open and easily integrable E/E testing portfolio for modern labs.

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.”

The partnership between AVL and VCarSystem enables customers to accelerate function validation and supports AVL’s goal of halving development time. Early virtual testing helps teams identify issues sooner, reducing delays and accelerating release schedules.

Remote access and multi-user capabilities enable distributed teams to work in parallel and make better use of shared resources. Shifting tests from physical prototypes and testbeds into controlled simulation environments lowers operational and development costs. Realistic, reproducible HIL testing uncovers integration issues early – essential for increasingly software-driven vehicle architectures.

“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.”

Agricultural vehicle OEM Kuhn implements real-time cloud monitoring in testing

Rachel Evans — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:17:28 +0000

Real-time cloud-based machine monitoring has enabled agricultural machinery manufacturer Kuhn Group to reduce the amount of traveling during testing, validate software more swiftly and cooperate more effectively across its global teams.

The solution, which was developed in partnership with Odosolutions, was designed to address the challenges of data acquisition and management in today’s development landscape. As Kuhn’s equipment has evolved to incorporate advanced electronics and sensor technologies, the company identified growing limitations in traditional approaches to gathering field data and customer feedback, which were no longer sufficient to support modern product development and performance optimization.

Earlier trials with low-cost data logging tools lacked cloud connectivity, integrated dashboards and turnkey usability, according to Odosolutions. More advanced systems required extensive manual processing and were difficult to share across teams, while also lacking the durability required for harsh agricultural environments. At the same time, Kuhn needed a way to provide global teams and suppliers with timely access to machine data to support collaborative R&D and troubleshooting.

Following a successful demonstration of Odosolutions cloud loggers and dashboard technology, Kuhn introduced ruggedized, mount-ready loggers across both legacy and newly developed equipment. Once installed, the devices began transmitting live operational data directly to a secure cloud dashboard accessible across departments and international sites. The system integrated into Kuhn’s existing development and testing workflows with minimal configuration, enabling teams to begin analyzing and sharing data within days.

The impact was immediate. Within the first week of implementation, the new system eliminated the need for at least one costly test trip, saving several days of travel, accommodation and associated expenses. Engineers reported a significant reduction in the time previously spent on manual data handling and report preparation, while remote access to live machine data created further potential for cost and time savings across Kuhn’s global test locations.

Beyond operational efficiencies, the platform has enhanced Kuhn’s software development, testing and validation by enabling faster debugging and performance optimization. Real-time visibility of machine data has improved cross-department collaboration, allowing engineers, designers and software developers to work simultaneously from the same dataset and accelerate decision-making. The system has also strengthened collaboration with international suppliers by enabling shared access to performance data for joint analysis.

“Odosolutions has been essential for us in the software development process. We can log in and monitor information coming from our machines in real time, which helps us make changes faster and get solutions more quickly,” said Jake Peterson, product evaluation lab test engineer, Kuhn USA..

“It’s also improved visibility across departments and with our international partners, so everyone can access the same data without extra processing. The system has already saved development time, and it will continue to help us build smarter, more reliable equipment.”

Kvaser releases CanKing 7.4.0 with real-time Signal Plot extension

Zahra Awan — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:45:27 +0000

Kvaser has released CanKing 7.4.0, the latest update to its free CAN/LIN analysis environment, which introduces several features, most notably the Signal Plot extension, which enables real-time plotting of CAN and LIN signal values for fast and lightweight system visualization.

Signal Plot is a free, downloadable extension for CanKing 7.4.0 or later that allows engineers to track multiple signals simultaneously, zoom into events, compare values using cursors and switch between live and pause modes. The extension provides engineering-unit graphing directly within the CanKing workspace, making it particularly useful for HIL bench bring-up and on-site debugging.

“Our goal with Kvaser CanKing has always been to give engineers the clarity they need with as little friction as possible. Signal Plot does exactly this; turning raw CAN and LIN data into clear, meaningful visuals in real time. It’s a simple yet powerful upgrade that delivers an immediate boost in understanding and efficiency,” said Martin Sventén, CEO of Kvaser.

The update is designed to provide engineers with faster, more intuitive insights into system behavior, making real-time monitoring and debugging of automotive networks simpler and more efficient.

The extension is the first built on Kvaser’s CanKing Extensions SDK, which was launched last year, to enable users to create web-based GUI extensions such as dashboards, gauges and custom interpreters without modifying the core application. The SDK leverages React and is compatible with both Windows and Linux systems.

CanKing 7.4.0 also adds support for LIN message logging and replay using MDF4.x files. Improved MDF4.x compatibility ensures that LIN data frames are correctly recognised, enabling the Message Logger and Message Replay nodes to function seamlessly across both CAN and LIN traffic.

CanKing 7.4.0 was unveiled at at Embedded World 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany.

BANF and Silicon Labs develop real-time tire monitoring system for autonomous and connected fleet vehicles

Zahra Awan — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:26:10 +0000

BANF and Silicon Labs have unveiled a tire-monitoring technology that processes high-resolution data in real time, designed for autonomous vehicles and connected fleet operations. The system integrates Silicon Labs’ ultra-low-power BG22 Bluetooth LE SoC into BANF’s in-tire sensor platform, turning the tire into a connected intelligence node.

Traditional tire pressure monitoring systems alert drivers only when pressure drops significantly, offering limited insight into tire performance. BANF’s solution, by contrast, measures acceleration, pressure, temperature and tread depth at thousands of samples per second inside the tire. Key signals – such as wheel-nut loosening, slip events or reduced friction – are processed within the tire, reducing communication load and improving response time before sending alerts to the vehicle.

“Tires generate terabytes of data related to friction, load and mechanical stress, but until now there was no viable way to capture and transmit that information in real time,” said BANF CEO Adam Sunghan You. “By combining Silicon Labs’ BG22 with our wireless power technology, we have unlocked a new level of tire intelligence.”

The system uses Silicon Labs’ Secure Vault technology to protect tire data from tampering or spoofing, a critical requirement for autonomous vehicles and fleet operators. Powering the sensors has historically been a challenge due to heat, mechanical stress and centrifugal forces inside the tire. BANF addresses this with a proprietary wireless power transfer solution: a Smart Profiler mounted on the vehicle’s fender delivers continuous energy to the battery-free iSensor, enabling uninterrupted data acquisition at thousands of hertz.

“Compute is no longer confined to the CPU – it extends across intelligent peripherals and sensors,” said Ross Sabolcik, senior vice president of product lines, Silicon Labs. “BG22 enables reliable, secure connectivity even in extreme environments, empowering innovators like BANF to digitize traditionally analog systems.”

BANF plans to use the collected data to expand into predictive maintenance, route optimization and insurance-linked services. By converting tires into intelligent, data-generating assets, the company aims to redefine vehicle operations and fleet management.

Evolution unveils ultra-compact EvoScann P4-A pressure sensor for on-vehicle aerodynamic testing

Zahra Awan — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:08:05 +0000

The newest addition to the Evolution Measurement EvoScann family, the EvoScann P4-A, is a micro-miniature pressure scanner designed for aerodynamicists performing on-vehicle validation,.

Measuring just 20mm x 20mm x 5mm, the compact four-channel device delivers high-fidelity pressure data rapidly from the vehicle’s CANbus network to a webserver.

Built for the harsh realities of track-side and on-car environments, with an operational temperature range of -20°C to +135°C, its ultra-compact, fully encapsulated design enables seamless integration into tight spaces on wings, diffusers and other critical aerodynamic surfaces where traditional sensors cannot fit.

Continue reading Evolution unveils ultra-compact EvoScann P4-A pressure sensor for on-vehicle aerodynamic testing at Automotive Testing Technology International.

Kistler launches RV-5 wheel vector sensor

Zahra Awan — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:46:46 +0000

The latest RV-5 wheel vector sensor from Kistler measures wheel movements across five axes – steering angle, camber angle, and displacement in the X, Y and Z directions – with improved accuracy and durability. Updated electronics featuring magnetic encoders enhance measurement quality while maintaining full compatibility with the previous RV-4 model.

Wheel position and orientation measurements are critical for applications including wheel arch and component clearance verification, elastokinematic simulation validation and chassis and tire development. Stable and reproducible data is especially important in motorsport and vehicle dynamics control systems such as ESC, torque vectoring and advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving, particularly under challenging conditions including dust, water spray and high vibration.

Efficient measurements

The heart of the sensor, consisting of several encoders and electronics, has been completely redesigned, with magnetic encoders replacing the previous optical encoders.

The RV-5 connects directly to the wheel carrier structure and measures the wheel vectors at the source. Consequently, measurements remain stable and reproducible in rain, dust, splash water or abrupt changes in light. The factory calibration in the vehicle coordinate system remains stable across temperature and vibration changes; recalibrations, as required with camera-based setups, are not necessary.

The sensor resists optical interference and delivers reliable, high-precision, low-latency data on rough roads, curbs and under high lateral and vertical accelerations, even where camera- and optics-based systems struggle.

Magnetic encoder

The magnetic encoders provide higher linearity and stability, delivering clean, high-resolution data across the full range, even under dynamic loads. Lower sensor noise produces smoother raw signals that require less filtering and are available with reduced latency.

Oliver Plenter, business development manager at Kistler, said, “Magnetic encoders make our wheel vector sensors even more robust and precise without disrupting customers’ established setups. Plug in, configure, measure – everything as usual, but with even higher quality.”

Spirent launches agentic AI solution for network testing and assurance

Zahra Awan — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:19:18 +0000

Spirent Communications, part of Keysight Technologies, has announced Spirent Luma, an integrated agentic AI solution for network testing and assurance. Purpose-built and domain-trained on Spirent’s decades of network testing expertise, Luma is designed to help customers interpret results more quickly, troubleshoot faster and reduce reliance on scarce expert knowledge to resolve increasingly complex network issues.

Initially available for Spirent’s market-leading core network test platform Landslide, Luma integrates directly into customers’ testing workflows, enabling teams to work faster, without changing how they operate. Unlike generic AI solutions that require users to interpret results manually or adopt separate external tools, Luma is embedded directly within Landslide, enabling it to operate inside secure lab environments and apply AI where complexity and decision pressure are highest.

“As networks evolve toward 5G Standalone, slicing and cloud-native architectures, lab and validation teams face cognitive overload driven by fragmented tooling and complex failure scenarios,” said Anil Kollipara, vice president of product management at Spirent. “Luma addresses this by automating the most time-consuming parts of test analysis, such as correlating KPIs, logs and PCAPs, and guiding users toward a root cause within the tools they already trust for critical lab and validation environments.”

The launch of Luma for Landslide marks the first phase of a comprehensive agentic AI rollout across Spirent’s testing, assurance and automation solutions. The strategic initiative is part of Spirent’s commitment to applying practical, domain-trained AI to help customers navigate the network lifecycle with greater speed and accuracy. By embedding intelligence directly into existing workflows, Luma will enable teams to move from raw data to actionable insights without the need for separate tools or disruptive processes.

Key features

Trained on Spirent’s vast 3GPP and network domain knowledge, Luma understands the specific nuances of CSP-grade testing, specifications and compliance requirements.

Luma is embedded directly into Landslide, enabling it to operate inside secure lab environments and allow teams to gain insights for root cause analysis without changing existing tools or processes.

By simplifying the interpretation of logs and KPIs, Luma helps teams move from raw test data to actionable insights in a fraction of the time, and through a unified conversational interface, Luma enables a broader range of users to understand complex test workflows, reducing the dependency on a small pool of specialized experts.

Luma for Landslide will be followed by Luma integrations across Spirent’s VisionWorks service assurance and Velocity test and lab automation solutions, enabling use-case-driven AI to streamline and further automate next-generation testing and network operations. By embedding AI into the testing and assurance process, Luma aims to enable a broader range of users to understand workflows, interpret specifications and compliance requirements, accelerate root cause analysis and make sense of network performance with greater confidence.

VI-Grade installs first HyperDock in North America at Multimatic facility

Zahra Awan — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:53:36 +0000

VI-Grade has announced the installation of its first HyperDock cockpit system in North America at the Multimatic Vehicle Dynamics Centre in Novi, Michigan. The HyperDock elevates the existing DiM250 driving simulator, originally installed in 2020, into a full-spectrum simulation platform, enabling the combined development of vehicle dynamics and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) attributes within a single, immersive environment.

The HyperDock cockpit is an ultra-lightweight, carbon-fiber system engineered to significantly improve stiffness, reduce inertia and enhance simulator responsiveness. By replacing the traditional top disk with a direct actuator interface and integrating vibro-acoustic feedback, HyperDock enables engineers to evaluate ride, handling and noise and vibration behavior with increased realism and precision.

“After evaluating the VI-Grade HyperDock Full Spectrum Simulator cockpit at the SimCenter Udine over a year ago, Multimatic quickly realized that it would provide a significant step forward in the fidelity of all DiM applications, from road car ride tuning to race car limit handling,” said Peter Gibbons, technical director, vehicle dynamics, Multimatic.

“The overwhelmingly positive responses from Murray White, technical director of vehicle development at Multimatic, and Dirk Müller, professional race car driver, affirmed Multimatic’s decision to upgrade to HyperDock.

“The added immersion, superior tactile feedback, and audio advancements have moved the goalposts well beyond our expectations. Multimatic looks forward to continuing to leverage the impressive capabilities of HyperDock over the coming years.”

“With the addition of HyperDock, Multimatic now benefits from full-spectrum simulation capability, expanding the scope of development activities that can be performed on an already well-established simulator platform,” added Alessio Lombardi, global sales director – simulation at VI-Grade. “This installation represents an important milestone for VI-Grade, as it brings HyperDock technology to North America for the first time.”

To mark the installation, VI-Grade and Multimatic will host a dedicated reveal event on March 11, 2026, at the Multimatic Vehicle Dynamics Centre in Novi, Michigan.

Renault deploys nCode GlyphWorks to optimize durability testing and analysis

Zahra Awan — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:39:31 +0000

Facing a rapidly evolving industry and ambitious innovation goals, Renault sought to optimize its durability analysis process and implement standardized methods across the organization. To achieve this, it adopted a unified approach to durability testing and simulation by deploying nCode GlyphWorks, supplied by Hottinger Brüel & Kjær, across key departments, which enabled standardized workflows, enhanced team expertise and significant time savings.

Previously relying on multiple fragmented software tools, Renault partnered with Hottinger Brüel & Kjær to deploy nCode GlyphWorks with DesignLife, creating a unified environment for test data analysis and CAE-based durability simulation across engine, body structure and chassis teams.

Jean-Michel Lambert, functional durability expert for personal car equipped body at Renault, summarised, “The migration to nCode GlyphWorks has provided several gains including overall team skills and optimization of processes. This success was also enabled by a strong support structure: massive training sessions, a GlyphWorks user exchange group and dedicated HBK technical support for migrating specific scripts. In addition, particular attention was given to developing and delivering standard scripts that met all user requirements, while encapsulating their complexity and protecting them from misuse. These elements were key to making this large-scale migration a success.”