2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36
BMW is already testing the new models in a specially set up development center with different climate zones. Now Daimler is also significantly reducing the test drive time before the market launch.
Daimler no longer needs roads for the moose test. A new 40 million euro driving simulation center is to support the engineers at Daimler AG in the development of driver assistance systems and chassis technology. "This is a milestone in our development process," said Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Group Research and Head of Development Mercedes-Benz Cars now at the inauguration of the simulator in Sindelfingen.
Shortened development times
According to Weber, it should shorten the development time of a vehicle by around six months. The new center is the heart of a large-scale investment program at the Sindelfingen location, where a total of 160 million euros are to be spent on research institutions from 2007 to 2012.
In addition to the simulation center, the expansion also includes a climatic chamber and a wind tunnel. Daimler relies on the close interlinking between research, development, design, planning and production, all of which are gathered at the Sindelfingen location. "In this way, we are shortening development times, significantly increasing the degree of maturity of our products and making a significant contribution to the future competitiveness of our brand," said Weber.
Driving in a dome
Not only the investment is impressive, but also the technical data of the simulation center. It consists of a GRP dome with a diameter of 7.5 meters, which also offers space for a truck driver's cab and weighs around 20 tons. It rests on six hydraulic cylinders, which in turn are mounted on a slide. This unit is driven by an electric motor which, according to Thomas Weber, is twice as powerful as an ICE - i.e. more than 20,000 hp.
The test driver sits at the wheel of a car or commercial vehicle that is firmly attached to the dome. Eight high-performance projectors, which transmit images to the 360-degree screen inside the dome, enable a photo-realistic representation of road traffic. Peter Frankenberg, Minister for Science, Research and Art in Baden-Württemberg acted as the first test driver. After his virtual jaunt, the minister was enthusiastic: "This is the highest technology. I had a completely realistic driving experience." (mid)
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