
Volvo Cars has bought the most progressive version of the VI-Grade chassis simulator which it will use to develop future cars.
During its Tuesday statement regarding the purchase, Volvo claimed that it is the first premium car manufacturer to buy the simulator
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The technology presents a number of virtual simulations of famed driving experiences, like the Nürburgring race track in Germany. It has also been equipped with simulations of the test tracks located at what Volvo claims to be its secret test facility in Sweden. The simulations will enable Volvo to conduct early stage develop work which will eventually lead to the production of vehicles that Volvo claims will be more responsive and more enjoyable to drive.
In addition to the testing of the handling and other ride behaviors of new vehicles, Volvo will use the simulator to try out control algorithms for active safety, according to VI-Grade’s website. VI-Grade said the technology that has gone into the DiM makes it suitable for both ride and vehicle dynamic studies.
Volvo Cars’ Senior VP of R&D Dr. Peter Mertens said the simulator will afford the company more flexibility to innovate during the development of vehicle concepts, and also shorten the time expended during that phase.
“The beauty of the new simulator is that it provides us with the opportunity to physically experience the calculation models and evaluate them using human test drivers, rather than staring at graphs and numbers in a meeting room,” added Stefan Karlsson, vehicle dynamics manager at Volvo Cars.
Martens said that the implementation of the simulator is one of several moves the company has made to improve driver experience. Other changes include improvements to the company’s R&D facilities, as well as investments in scalable product architecture and a modular powertrain program.