Testing Facility News from Automotive Testing Technology Magazine

Horse Powertrain launches kAIros initiative to expand industrial AI capabilities

Zahra Awan — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:42:54 +0000

The company-wide kAIros AI initiative aims to improve efficiency in support of the company’s ambitions to reduce time-to-market by nearly 50%, cut low-value process work by 40% and increase design cycle efficiency by 25%. Supported by Nvidia, Google Cloud and Deloitte, kAIros is intended to enhance how the company designs, engineers, manufactures and operates across its business.

kAIros is part of Horse Powertrain‘s wider strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of advanced manufacturing in Europe through the use of AI in development, simulation and industrial operations. By combining advanced supercomputing with cloud platforms, the company aims to provide the computing power, security and scalability needed to support these activities and enhance its long-term innovation capabilities.

AI Factory to support industrial AI applications

At the heart of kAIros is the Horse Powertrain AI Factory, supporting AI use cases across engineering and production, including model training, simulation and digital twins, with the aim of accelerating industrial innovation and real-world deployment. A key part of the concept is the generation of training data to help continuously improve models and digital twins over time.

These capabilities enable the company to run advanced simulations and optimize operations in real time across products, factories, warehouses and logistics, with Google Gemini Enterprise used to deploy AI agents across the business, helping reduce coordination tasks that add limited value.

kAIros also supports physical AI by linking real-world operations with virtual systems in real time. This enables systems to interpret their environment, support autonomous decision-making, and interact with cobots, automated guided vehicles and smart machines. Applications include automated video-based quality inspection, faster product simulation and robotics for process optimization.

A dedicated Center of Excellence will lead the development of internal AI capabilities, bringing together cross-functional teams to build applications and scale expertise across the organization. Alongside this, the AI Factory will support scenario simulation, algorithm optimization and the development of intelligent propulsion solutions to improve efficiency and predictive performance. The initiative also aims to build long-term industrial AI capability to support advanced manufacturing in Europe.

Patrice Haettel, COO of Horse Powertrain and chief executive officer of Horse Technologies, said, “Industry advances at moments when technology doesn’t just follow change – it drives it. With kAIros, we are taking a decisive step into a new era where AI can redefine speed, cost, efficiency and sustainability.

“Our goal is to turn data into knowledge, simulations into real value, and innovation into competitive advantage. Horse Powertrain aims to be more agile and reliable because we understand that AI is not just a tool and kAIros is among the first AI factories in Europe for the automotive industry.”

Speedgoat opens larger North American facility for HIL test benches and services

Rachel Evans — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:49:13 +0000

To boost its capabilities in providing locally integrated real-time hardware-in-the-loop test systems and more hands-on support for customers in the USA and Canada, Speedgoat has opened a larger office in Framingham, Massachusetts.

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.

CamMotive opens high-current battery testing facility in Cambridge

Zahra Awan — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:54:52 +0000

E-powertrain development consultancy CamMotive has opened an 800V channel battery testing lab in Cambridge in the UK. The facility features a high-capacity test cell capable of cycling hundreds of large-format cells under controlled conditions, delivering up to 800A per cell for rigorous performance evaluation. One of the few UK labs with this capacity, it aims to accelerate battery development by helping OEMs improve compliance, range, lifespan and charging efficiency.

The lab’s high-current capability is designed to test large automotive cells and other high-power, high-capacity battery technologies, including those used in eVTOLs, data centers and stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS). Its extensive channel count is useful to companies with high-volume testing requirements, enabling hundreds of cells to be tested simultaneously under varying conditions. High-precision cyclers and advanced EIS tests also enable accurate long-term analysis and performance characterization, including cell ageing and end-of-life simulation, with modeling and calibration expertise provided by CamMotive’s specialist engineers.

The facility offers additional technical capability and services, including dynamic climatic chambers to replicate varying temperature conditions, and process thermostats for real-world thermal management testing. For high-power module and pack testing, the lab provides capability up to 1MW.

The primary purpose of the new laboratory is to support automotive OEMs and accelerate development timelines by gathering data for modeling, compliance and improved understanding, leading to enhanced performance, longer useful life and faster charging strategies.

In addition to the main facility, the laboratory also houses several lower current cyclers for testing of smaller capacity cells. In this way, the company aims to support innovation in battery technology, including startups working on the latest chemistries and organizations exploring battery options for new applications.

Bruce Campbell, director at CamMotive, said, “The launch of our new test facility marks the latest phase of CamMotive’s commitment to advancing battery technology and its applications. We provide solutions across the entire battery ecosystem, from early concept to end-of-line validation.

“Working with UK cell developers and digital modelers, manufacturers and integrators, we combine world-class testing infrastructure with decades of powertrain expertise to help our partners deliver sustainable solutions for road, air, sea transportation and stationary applications.”

Czinger establishes UK base at Mira Tech Park

Zahra Awan — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:51:26 +0000

Mira Tech Park has welcomed Czinger Vehicles to its world-leading mobility and R&D campus.

The company’s move marks a significant step in its UK investment and expansion strategy, positioning Czinger at the heart of the country’s thriving automotive innovation ecosystem. From its base at Mira Tech Park, Czinger will benefit from direct access to the UK’s advanced component supply chain, powertrain development expertise and the comprehensive suite of test facilities.

Czinger’s presence at Mira Tech Park builds on its close partnership with Divergent Technologies. Divergent’s proprietary technology digitally engineers, optimizes and manufactures complex structures up to four times faster than traditional methods. This combination of digital engineering and advanced vehicle development expertise positions Czinger at the forefront of a new industrial paradigm – one where design, performance and sustainability converge through innovation.

Lukas Czinger, founder, president and CEO at Czinger Vehicles, said, “Czinger is a global brand with a vision that transcends borders, and we’re incredibly proud to have established our UK base of operations at Mira Tech Park. This world-class facility provides us with the advanced infrastructure and collaborative ecosystem we need to push the boundaries of automotive innovation. Our presence here reinforces our commitment to building cutting-edge hypercars while contributing to the UK’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and automotive technology.”

Ewan Baldry, chief engineer at Czinger Vehicles, added, “Establishing a presence at Mira Tech Park allows us to work alongside leading technology partners and leverage world-class infrastructure to bring our next generation of vehicles to life faster and more efficiently than ever before.”

Jack Bartlett, head of commercial and partnerships at Mira Tech Park, commented, “Czinger represents exactly the kind of visionary, disruptive business that thrives at Mira Tech Park. Their investment reinforces the UK’s position as a global leader in powertrain and advanced mobility development – and underscores our role as the location of choice for the future of mobility.”

New office opened by Rohde & Schwarz in Japan

Rachel Evans — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:51:59 +0000

Enhanced facilities for service, repair, calibration and engineering support of test equipment are now available to Rohde & Schwarz customers in Japan at a new, larger office in Osaki. This location, which replaces the original one in Shinjuku, also provides more space for hosting customer events.

One of its key uses is demonstrations of technology solutions with R&S partners. For example, a test system that combines EMC receivers and automation software from Rohde & Schwarz with the AIP EMC Chassis Dynamometer enables vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1s to evaluate the EMC performance of their designs under realistic operational conditions. AIP has enhanced this system with R&S radar target simulators to also provide vehicle-in-the-loop testing of radars in a controlled environment. The Osaki office is near AIP’s new facility, enabling fast servicing and turnaround time for AIP.

Rohde & Schwarz is expanding its collaboration with Granite River Labs (GRL) and Analog Devices (ADI) to support in-vehicle network compliance testing in Japan. GRL, a provider of compliance testing and certification services for standards such as multigigabit ethernet and the Automotive SerDes Alliance, has a long history of using Rohde & Schwarz test equipment. ADI, a global semiconductor supplier, is working closely with Rohde & Schwarz worldwide to promote adoption of the emerging OpenGMSL standard through the OpenGMSL Association.

The collaboration is supported by Rohde & Schwarz Japan’s expanded facilities and the availability of leading-edge oscilloscopes and vector network analyzers, designed to ensure fast and reliable standards-compliant testing, including solutions tailored for the Japanese market. This will accelerate testing processes and facilitate the building and delivery of OpenGMSL-based solutions. The availability of local expertise and instruments is considered critical in supporting the global automotive ecosystem.

In another partnership, IPG Automotive is working with Rohde & Schwarz to integrate automotive radar hardware-in-the-loop testing from the proving ground into the development lab. The collaboration combines IPG Automotive’s CarMaker simulation software with Rohde & Schwarz’s scalable AREG800A radar target simulator, the R&S QAT100 advanced antenna array and the compact R&S RadEsT target simulator.

This combination provides OEMs and Tier 1s with the ability to simulate ADAS/AD scenarios, including those defined in Euro NCAP, in a controlled, safe, time-efficient and cost-reducing environment. In the newly established office, both companies jointly set up and demonstrate their HIL systems alongside the development of local traffic scenario simulations specific to Japan.

The automotive industry is actively exploring non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) to provide ubiquitous wireless connectivity for always-connected vehicles. The capabilities of chipset developer MediaTek’s latest NR-NTN device have been demonstrated using the Rohde & Schwarz CMX500 radiocommunication tester, a versatile solution for testing various NTN technologies including NR-NTN, NB-NTN and Direct-To-Cell (D2C, DTC). The CMX500 offers multiband and multi-orbit support, along with a dedicated NTN workspace for visualizing deployed networks and their parameters.

Rohde & Schwarz leverages its wireless and automotive expertise to help navigate the challenges associated with NTN, identify key vehicle components and explain the role of testing in creating NTN-enabled vehicles. With the opening of the hub, the global partnership between MediaTek and Rohde & Schwarz, which already covered Europe, North America and China, has now been expanded to include Japan.

The office in Osaki will facilitate a greater number of projects for Japanese automotive partners, including faster support for local NTN projects with MediaTek. The R&S CMX500 empowers customers in Japan to test and optimize the entire NTN integration chain – from chipsets and modules to antennas, TCUs and vehicles – and validates NTN vehicle connectivity tailored to the Japanese market.

Naoshi Saito, general manager of Rohde & Schwarz Japan, commented, “We are very proud of our new facility in Osaki, and we invite the Japanese automotive community to make the most of this resource and the talented staff who work here.”

Johnson Matthey opens cutting-edge hydrogen ICE test facility in Sweden

Zahra Awan — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:00:40 +0000

Johnson Matthey has opened its first hydrogen internal combustion engine (H₂ICE) facility, where cutting-edge emission control systems will be tested, strengthening its heavy-duty vehicle testing capabilities.

A H₂ICE uses zero carbon hydrogen fuel in tried-and-tested engine technology, presenting a viable path for decarbonizing medium and heavy-duty transportation, such as trucks and buses.

Announced back in July, the new testing area forms part of JM’s existing site in Gothenburg, Sweden, and has been completed on time and on budget, representing a £2.5m (US$1.67m) investment over three years.

The investment has further expanded JM’s H₂ICE testing capability, enabling it to test full engines for the first time.

Tauseef Salma, JM chief technology officer for clean air, commented, “This investment shows JM is backing H₂ICE as a ready-to-go technology that will enable mobility partners to meet their decarbonization and climate goals. Our state-of-the-art Gothenburg facility positions JM as a world leader in sustainable technology solutions, transforming energy and reducing carbon emissions.”

The Gothenburg installation supports H₂ICE engines up to 600kW (800hp). It will test the performance of catalysts within the wider engine aftertreatment and control systems, providing key insights into the development of hydrogen mobility solutions. Gothenburg is already home to medium and heavy-duty diesel engine test cells.

The H₂ICE investment follows JM’s collaboration with Cummins, and technology partners Phinia and Zircotec, who launched Project Brunel in November 2021. This partnership was successfully concluded in March 2025, delivering proof points towars significant improvements in H₂ICE engine performance and durability.

The new Gothenburg H₂ICE facility includes an on-site hydrogen supply and storage area with a compressor and intermediate storage tank, hydrogen supply and storage up to 413 bar, a hydrogen flow meter and analyzer with exhaust measuring instruments and all appropriate control, sensing and safety systems.

Salma added, “For more than two centuries, JM has helped tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. We continue to do so today because it’s in our DNA. The opening of this new testing facility shows our commitment to strategic partnerships to drive innovation, strengthening the potential of H₂ICE as a net zero pathway for commercial vehicles.”

New testing infrastructure opens at Toyota Arizona Proving Ground

Rachel Evans — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:09:58 +0000

New facilities constructed at the Toyota Arizona Proving Ground (TAPG) were recently opened during an event attended by local government officials.

TAPG’s new testing infrastructure

The facilities includes a new 5.5-mile oval track constructed inside the existing 10-mile oval, using part of its south straightaway. The track is available for vehicle mileage accumulation, stop-and-go testing, and dynamics and high-speed evaluation. The north straightaway of the original oval has been rebuilt into a dog-bone straight course for vehicle and ADAS testing, incorporating a 1.75-mile coast-down surface to assess vehicle efficiency and fuel economy. A pass-by noise analysis area, an improved 1.5-mile ride and handling track for vehicle and tire development (including wet testing), and off-road test facilities for body-on-frame and other off-road applications have also been built. In addition, the existing vehicle dynamics pad is due to be repaved.

A “world-class” testing facility

“We are proud to strengthen the offerings at our world-class facility in Arizona, not only for Toyota, but for any company that has use for these amenities,” said Monte Kaehr, group vice president of vehicle development engineering at Toyota Motor North America Research & Development (TMNA R&D).

Said Stefan Young, vice president of TMNA R&D, “TAPG is an important asset for our North American R&D team, and we are planning continued investment here as vehicle development needs change and evolve for new technology. Opening our facility to the industry has allowed us to offset the cost of improvements and make an ever-better facility both for ourselves and for the automotive and mobility industry overall. These improvements are also important to attract other companies to the region.”

Aerial view of the ride and handling circuit

“Arizona is driving innovation that delivers economic opportunity and growth to families and businesses across our state,” said state governor Katie Hobbs. “The revitalization of Toyota’s Arizona Proving Ground is further proof that Arizona is leading the way in auto technology testing and development.”

Added Leo Biasiucci, Arizona state house representative and chairman of the house’s Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, “I thank Toyota for its continued investment in our state. We value this ongoing commitment to bring innovation and technology development to Arizona.”

Intertek Transportation Technologies manages and operates TAPG.

New ALEE–ThyssenKrupp partnership strengthens component durability testing

Rachel Evans — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:21:45 +0000

ALEE (Alliance des laboratoires d’essai européenne) and the ThyssenKrupp Automotive Systems Test Center have joined forces to provide vehicle manufacturers and suppliers with expanded testing and homologation services focused on durability testing for components and systems.

The cooperation covers testing of mechanical coupling devices such as fifth-wheel couplings, tow balls and tow eyes in accordance with UN ECE Regulation No. 55, including handling of the type approval process with German authority Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA). Durability testing of homologation-relevant vehicle modifications for national type approval, such as suspension springs or increased towable masses, is also included in the partnership.

The ThyssenKrupp Automotive Systems Test Center in Essen has been performing durability testing from planning through execution and documentation for many years. Since 2006, the Test Center has been accredited as a testing laboratory according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 for mechanical-technological examinations of vehicle components and systems, including servohydraulic test equipment and durability analyses using actuation and load tests.

“With the ThyssenKrupp Automotive Systems Test Center, we are expanding our partner network to include a laboratory with exceptional experience in durability testing,” said Stefano Mastrogiovanni, the MD of ALEE. “The partnership enables us to conduct type approval procedures more efficiently and with the highest technical quality.”

Dr Jan Kurzok, head of the ThyssenKrupp tech hub, added, “Through the collaboration with ALEE, we can directly integrate our test results into approval processes and support customers in the homologation of components in a targeted manner.”

In the March 2025 issue of ATTI, a selection of industry professionals were asked their top durability test tips

Volkswagen completes Hefei test center for China-only vehicle development

Zahra Awan — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:05:16 +0000

Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC) has finished the final expansion stage of its Test Workshops in Hefei, bringing end-to-end development capabilities directly to the Chinese market. The facilities significantly expand the group’s local R&D strength and integrate software, hardware and whole-vehicle validation under one roof, enabling faster decision-making, closer customer alignment and accelerated rollout of next-generation technologies.

With the completion of the Test Workshops, Volkswagen can support the development and validation of new vehicle platforms from very early phases for the first time outside Germany. The Test Workshops feature over 100 state-of-the-art laboratories across around 100,000m2, delivering powerful testing capabilities. These include software-hardware integration, battery and powertrain testing and full vehicle-level validation.

Oliver Blume, the CEO of Volkswagen Group, said, “Our ‘In China for China’ strategy continues to gain momentum. At our development center in Hefei, China, we have now created all the conditions necessary to develop, test and locally manufacture the next generation of intelligent connected vehicles. This milestone makes us even faster and more efficient – and brings us even closer to our customers. This will enable us, as the Volkswagen Group, to consolidate our position in the world’s largest automotive market with the clear goal of becoming the global technology driver of the automotive industry.”

Ralf Brandstätter, the member of the board of management of Volkswagen AG responsible for China, and chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, added, “China is the world’s most competitive automotive market, and our customers here expect rapid innovation and flawless quality. This is why we are taking our development capabilities in China for China to the next level. By expanding our footprint in Hefei, we are strengthening our ability to respond quickly to local needs and shape technologies directly where they will be used. This step deepens our commitment to China and ensures that our future products reflect the preferences and expectations of Chinese customers from the very beginning.”

As the group’s most comprehensive R&D hub outside Germany, Hefei is the only center dedicated solely to electric, intelligent and connected vehicles. VCTC integrates core development units and decision-making for local vehicle and technology projects while coordinating with the R&D units of joint ventures. By embedding itself within China’s technology ecosystem, the center aims to address market trends such as digitalization and autonomous driving early, positioning Volkswagen to leverage growth opportunities and innovation in the Chinese market.

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory of Volkswagen Group China Technology Company: testing the reliability of vehicle electronic systems

China Electronic Architecture

In the Hefei software-hardware test workshop, VCTC and Cariad China are working toward the first delivery of the China Electronic Architecture (CEA) – the group’s first zonal E/E architecture specifically tailored to the needs of Chinese customers – within 18 months.

Enabled by the latest software-defined vehicle development process, the overall vehicle development cycle has been shortened by 30%. Leveraging local development and early supplier integration during the concept phase of new cars and technologies, the cost of a new model can be reduced by up to 50% in specific key projects. CEA also enables seamless integration of digital cockpit functions, advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) functions and whole-vehicle-level over-the-air upgrades.

Thomas Ulbrich, CTO of Volkswagen Group China and CEO of VCTC, noted, “The new workshops give our engineering teams an entirely new level of integration. We can now run software, hardware and full-vehicle validation processes in parallel, shorten decision loops and bring innovations to maturity much faster. This environment enables us to push forward next-generation intelligent-vehicle technologies with high precision and efficiency.”

At the Battery & Powertrain Integration Testing Center in Hefei, engineers can test up to 500 battery systems per year. Tests cover performance, lifetime, safety and environmental robustness, as well as e-drive, thermal management, electronics and battery cell components.

The Platform & Module Testing Center follows the same philosophy. Its advanced electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) laboratory safeguards the reliability of vehicle electronics, and a full-vehicle durability test bench can simulate all global driving road conditions within the workshops.

Together with the City Test Track, Volkswagen Group has established a full design-build-test-validate cycle in Hefei, in close collaboration with its global R&D network.

More capabilities to come

Volkswagen Group plans to expand its Hefei site, with a new Functions Integration Test (FIT) Laboratory scheduled to open mid-2026. One of only two in the group, the facility will simulate extreme environmental conditions, supporting Volkswagen’s next phase of intelligent and connected mobility.

Smithers announces advanced rolling resistance testing updates for Suzhou center

Zahra Awan — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:09:08 +0000

Smithers has announced the addition of three specialized rolling resistance testing capabilities at its tire and wheel test center in Suzhou, China, enabling it to offer more comprehensive insight into vehicle operating scenarios by recreating a wider range of real-world situations in a laboratory environment.

Testing capabilities

The additional testing capabilities include rolling resistance testing with slip/camber angle for passenger car (PCR) and light truck (LT) tires. Traditional rolling resistance testing is conducted at 0° slip and camber angles. However, factors such as wheel alignment, steering operations and changes in vehicle body attitude can cause small changes to slip and camber angles during real-world driving conditions. Tis new capability enables the simulation of a wider range of slip and camber angle scenarios and gives automotive OEMs deeper insight into vehicle energy loss due to wheel alignment parameters. Tire manufacturers can also evaluate the impact of angle parameters on rolling resistance and leverage that data to optimize tire structure and tread design.

High- and low-temperature rolling resistance testing for truck and bus radial (TBR) tires has also been integrated. Changes in rolling resistance are among the key factors affecting vehicle range in winter. Regulatory standards for rolling resistance are based on a narrow temperature range. In response to client feedback, Smithers invested in high- and low-temperature rolling resistance testing capabilities for PCR and LT tires in 2022 and has now added the ability to test a wider range of tires.

Smithers has also introduced rolling resistance testing with chassis components for PCR and LT tires. The resistance of chassis components, such as half-shafts and brake discs, can significantly affect vehicle range long term. However, there is a shortage of specialized indoor testing capabilities to independently measure such resistance. Following a redesign, Smithers’ solution can simultaneously mount chassis components during rolling resistance testing and obtain data on both tire-only resistance and the total resistance of tire and chassis components. The data is then used to calculate the resistance of chassis components, which OEMs can use to optimize vehicle energy loss.

All three capabilities are expected to be fully operational by December 1, 2025.

“Smithers is seeing increased demand on a global scale for testing of tires and vehicles that more closely mimics real-world conditions,” said Derek Read, vice president of Asia Pacific/global development, materials science and engineering, Smithers.

“These new capabilities are strategic investments into the refined, scenario-based testing our clients require to improve both tire and tire-chassis-vehicle system performance.”