Compact HMI simulator for vehicle development
VI-grade in Italy has launched a compact version of its simulator for the development of the human machine interface (HMI) in vehicle designs.
The Compact HMI simulator combines a flexible interior simulator with real-time driving simulation for the development of accurate vehicle dynamics, AI-powered traffic scenarios and diverse driving conditions.
The simulator allows the integration of real-time driving dynamics, AI-driven traffic scenarios, and ADAS testing in a hardware in the loop process.
It eliminates the need for costly physical prototypes, accelerates development, and ensures that infotainment, ADAS interfaces, and vehicle controls are optimized for intuitive user experiences before implementation in production vehicles.
This approach enables engineers to refine HMI designs in realistic driving environments without relying on static mockups or costly physical prototypes.
The system features a modular, reconfigurable interior module that accommodates various seating, steering, dashboard, and display configurations, allowing designers to prototype and evaluate multiple HMI layouts without requiring separate physical mockups.
With automated adjustments, it replicates seating, steering, and pedal conditions for different vehicle types, from sports cars to SUVs, within a single setup. In addition to its flexible and rapidly configurable architecture, this solution also includes the full capabilities of a real-time driving simulator, supporting XIL testing and validation.
This also allows human-in-the-loop testing, allowing engineers to assess HMI usability and driver interaction under realistic driving conditions. It also provides direct interaction with digital instrument clusters, infotainment touchscreens, and voice controls in a controlled yet immersive environment.
The simulator also supports ADAS and driver monitoring research, facilitating studies on driver distraction, workload, and interaction with automation features. It has already been adopted by two leading automotive manufacturers.
“HMI design is a critical aspect of modern vehicle development, directly impacting user experience, safety, and driver interaction with advanced driver-assistance systems”, commented Guido Bairati, Managing Director of VI-grade. “However, traditional evaluation methods rely on static mockups or costly physical prototypes, which are time-intensive and inflexible. Our new COMPACT HMI Simulator overcomes these limitations by providing a configurable and highly immersive simulation environment that allows engineers to experience and refine HMI designs in real-time driving scenarios. We are especially excited to see its immediate industry impact, with two units already sold to automotive manufacturers, demonstrating the market’s strong demand for flexible, simulation-driven HMI development solutions.”
VI-grade is part of the Virtual Test Division at Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK) which focuses on providing real-time software, simulator, and hardware-in-the-loop solutions to virtually test products throughout the development cycle. HBK is part of Spectris.
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