Hochschule Kempten’s Adrive Living Lab in Germany will adopt an advanced vehicle driving simulator (aVDS) from automotive test system supplier, AB Dynamics. The new simulator is expected to enable the university to conduct thorough research into driver interaction with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving (AD) systems. The aVDS is a third-generation vehicle dynamics-grade driving simulator and has been designed to provide the automotive industry with unprecedented research and development capabilities for autonomous systems. Installation will be completed by the second quarter of 2019.

The Adrive Living Lab is focused on the development of autonomous driving, with an emphasis on the driver’s interaction with autonomous systems. It investigates the effect of these systems on drivers’ perceived safety and comfort, the two parameters often identified as the most important for consumer acceptance and enthusiasm. The level of demand for such systems stems directly from the views of the drivers that use or interact with them. The new aVDS will allow researchers to put a driver in the loop and gather both subjective and objective feedback on the performance of current and future driver assistance and autonomous systems. It will also allow the university to investigate how to effectively use a simulation-based method and toolchain for evaluating these technologies.