Austrian ADAS development
Where academia and industry meet in vehicle simulation
Installed at the Center in Graz, a six-degree-of-freedom driving simulator with over 100 Hz bandwidth reproduces even subtle road vibrations and tyre grip changes with high realism.
Lunghammer, TU Graz
Graz University of Technology (TU) and Magna have unveiled a new Advanced Driving Simulation Center featuring one of the most sophisticated driving simulators currently in operation. The facility supports research ranging from e-mobility to automated driving.
The Inffeldgasse campus is the largest of Graz University of
Technology’s three sites and is set to expand to around 185,000 square metres
of floor space by 2030. Now, together with automotive supplier Magna, the
university has added another key asset to the location: a state-of-the-art
driving simulator designed to meet the growing demands of vehicle development
and research.
Realistic vehicle dynamics
The simulator is engineered to reproduce driving behaviour
with a high degree of realism. Research and development teams can evaluate
different vehicle concepts, chassis and tyre configurations, as well as driver assistance systems under controlled but highly
realistic conditions. At the heart of the setup is a motion system offering six
degrees of freedom and a bandwidth exceeding 100 Hz. This allows even subtle
vibrations to be reproduced, enabling drivers to perceive fine road irregularities,
lane markings or changes in tyre grip.
The cockpit is mounted on six actuated struts that precisely
simulate vehicle movements in all directions, including acceleration, braking,
lifting, lowering, rolling, pitching and yawing. According to the operators,
this combination makes it possible to analyse vehicle behaviour at a level of
detail that would otherwise only be achievable in physical prototypes.
Accelerating development cycles
Additional features include full virtual-reality integration
and extremely low system latency. Photorealistic VR environments allow a wide
range of traffic and driving scenarios to be simulated, supporting the
evaluation of new display concepts, human–machine
interfaces and driver assistance functions. System latency of just three
to four milliseconds is intended to provide a natural driving experience while
significantly reducing the risk of motion sickness for test drivers.
According to Severin Stadler, Head of R&D at Magna and
responsible for implementing the centre, one of the primary use cases is the
early optimisation of chassis and tyre setups across different vehicle
types—well before physical prototypes are available. This approach shortens
development timelines and creates additional scope for innovation. The
simulator’s ability to reproduce fine vibrations is particularly relevant for
electric vehicles, where the absence of engine noise makes such effects more
noticeable to occupants.
VR-based simulation
Beyond vehicle dynamics, the Advanced Driving Simulation
Center is also designed to support the development of advanced driver
assistance systems and future automated driving functions. VR-based scenarios
make it possible to analyse human perception and system behaviour in complex
traffic situations without the constraints of real-world testing.
Arno Eichberger, Head of the Institute of Automotive
Engineering at TU Graz, highlights the scientific value of the facility, noting
that it enables vehicle studies whose results closely match real-world physical
conditions. In his view, the simulator closes the gap between theoretical
vehicle modelling and the actual perception of human drivers.
Magna plans to use the centre in development projects
with international automotive manufacturers and to drive innovation through
joint research initiatives at the Graz site. While Magna covered the investment
and installation costs, TU Graz will be responsible for operating the Advanced
Driving Simulation Center.
