en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ford Motor Company has developed a dynamic driving simulation system that, rather than enabling time travel, uses time compression technology to allow engineers to complete in a single day within a virtual environment what would normally take months of real-world testing. Louis Jamail, Ford's Supervisor of Vehicle Dynamics Core Methods and Simulation, stated that the team can now perform ten times the amount of testing in one-tenth of the time.
Jamail previously worked in Ford's high-performance division, which used simulators to enhance racing vehicle performance. After transitioning to the vehicle dynamics field in 2018, he began exploring the application of this technology to mass-production vehicle development. In 2021, Ford officially launched its dynamic driving simulator in Dearborn. This simulator is larger, has a greater range of motion, and offers higher fidelity than the original racing simulator in Charlotte.
In Jamail's view, the core value of the simulator lies in the vehicle dynamics model behind it. "The simulator is just the channel for people to drive into the model; the model is what truly drives everything." The team has established a complete process around building the model and comparing it with actual vehicles. After years of accumulation, the model has become increasingly accurate through continuous learning, providing a solid foundation for the simulator's application.
By the time the Dearborn facility became operational in 2021, Ford had accumulated enough workload and justification. The development of the Maverick, Mach E, Lightning, and many other models was completed on this simulator. The simulator is also crucial for testing specific features such as adaptive cruise control, lane centering, Blue Cruise, and Active Glide. After all Ford development models are tested in the simulator, the next step is to move simulation earlier into the development process. Jamail noted that the earlier the entire vehicle and its components are reviewed, the greater the impact on quality, performance, and customer targets, without having to wait for prototype assembly to discover issues with suspension types or other configurations. The current iteration speed is ten times faster than assembling physical prototype parts.
The simulator can instantly switch between components under test for comparison, eliminating the need for mechanics to physically replace parts on a real prototype. Vehicle damage can be repaired simply by resetting, also avoiding the steps of repairing a prototype. Additionally, the simulator is safer for drivers, as no real collisions or injuries occur during testing. Regarding the motion sickness often associated with simulators, Jamail reported that by minimizing latency, Ford's simulator has effectively reduced this impact. In early versions, about 60% to 70% of people could adapt, while 30% to 40% began to feel discomfort. Currently, over 90% to 95% of people do not experience motion sickness.
Reducing latency not only helps eliminate motion sickness but also makes the driving experience more realistic. Jamail explained that the faster the vestibular system perceives responses to actions like steering, the more realistic the sensation. Ford's simulator can also control weather conditions in the virtual world, allowing engineers to test alternative components under the same simulated temperature, unaffected by real-world temperature or weather changes. According to Jamail, the simulator has already provided a wealth of useful information, and the next improvement direction involves more challenging driving conditions, including severe weather, off-road, and low-grip scenarios. "Performance on high-friction, hard surfaces is already quite good. We are exploring and venturing into off-road, low-grip scenarios—this is more like the next level."
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