At a Glance:
- HORIBA MIRA required a state-of-the art virtual environment to complement its testbed for validation and verification of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs)
- The simulator would be used to safely test CAVs at their limits in simulation before real-world deployment
- The virtual environment location was one of the most demanding in the UK – Junction 2 of the M6 in Coventry, where it meets the M69
- Agility3 surveyed the area of interest, developed and delivered a highly accurate, immersive and ultra-realistic 3D model, designed and optimised for use within the AVSimulation SCANeR driving simulator platform and its new Unreal Engine visual rendering system
- The virtual environment was also supplied in openDRIVE for use within multiple simulators
- The Agility3 model is now used at the heart of HORIBA MIRA’s CAV testbed, and supports cutting-edge research and development in autonomous vehicles, sensors, and systems
The Client
HORIBA MIRA (www.horiba-mira.com) is a global provider of automotive engineering, research and test services, with 75 years of experience in developing some of the world’s most iconic vehicles. Working in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers around the world, HORIBA MIRA provides comprehensive service and support ranging from technology development and individual product tests through to full-vehicle design, development and build programmes.
The Wider Project
Development of this virtual environment formed part of the wider Midlands Future Mobility (MFM) project. Midlands Future Mobility delivered a public road testbed for connected and autonomous vehicles that consists of more than 100km of roads within the West Midlands area of the UK. It incorporates wireless communications technology, data collection equipment, workshop facilities and support with production of a suitable safety case.
The Challenge
For HORIBA MIRA, developing a world-leading testbed to test Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) systems meant more than ensuring that international regulations and standards were met.
It meant pushing CAV systems to their very limits, using simulation capable of modelling every nuance of complex roadgoing conditions, from high volumes of dense traffic, to dirty and degraded road markings, to trees blocking the line of sight, and much more besides.
And it meant simulating a location where these complexities are at their height – the busy Junction 2 of the M6 motorway in Coventry, where it meets the equally busy M69. This environment complements HORIBA MIRA’s diverse virtual testbed and allow them to ensure CAVs are safe, secure and functionally correct.
The challenges here were many. Firstly, the team would need to capture and then seamlessly meld multiple data types – LIDAR, video, and GPS – to create a logical, visual, and spatial map of the area on which a 3D visual model could then be built. This would involve extensively and repeatedly surveying the route, using different scanning and data acquisition technologies.
Secondly, the data needed to be developed and supplied in openDRIVE to ensure compatibility with HORIBA MIRA’s multiple simulation platforms.
Lastly, to support the recognition of wider and more varied real-world features that must be understood by the CAV system, the final visual 3D model created from the underlying data had to accurately reflect the real environment to a very high standard with challenging requirements for real-world correlation, richness of content and surface detail accuracy.
To respond to all of these requirements, HORIBA MIRA turned to Agility3.
The Solution
To deliver a solution that met HORIBA MIRA’s needs, Agility3 surveyed the location by repeatedly driving the road and capturing it and its surroundings using a LIDAR scanner and video cameras, from every lane, in every direction.
A Point Cloud was generated from the LIDAR scan, and accurately correlated with spatial positions in the real-world using GPS data.
The survey data was then processed to create a logical map of the area, which was supplied to HORIBA MIRA in openDRIVE format. This map includes information on lane geometry, speed limits, road signs and traffic lights, primarily to enable the simulation of AI-controlled traffic.
Agility3 then synthesised these sources to develop and deliver a highly accurate and immersive 3D visual model that correlates fully with the openDRIVE map and LIDAR scan data, enabling simulators to interoperate, with vehicles or objects simulated in one system being correctly located in the others.
To achieve the enhanced level of rendering and realism required by the project, the 3D model was designed specifically to work with the Unreal Engine visual system available in the most recent release of the SCANeR 3D solution from AVSimulation.
The 3D model goes above and beyond in accurately reflecting the real world, including the degradation of road markings, all static and electronic signs, all street furniture, and other objects and features that have an impact on the performance of the CAV systems – including trees and vegetation, particularly where close to the road. This, combined with the incredible lighting and rendering capabilities of Unreal Engine, results in simulation visuals that are more realistic than ever before.
Outcomes and Results
By combining detailed and diverse data from an incredibly complex real-world situation, and releasing new insights through greater realism and increased portability across platforms, tools, and applications, Agility3 has enabled HORIBA MIRA to push the boundaries of verification and validation of CAVs.
This paves the way for the manufacturers’ development of safer, more secure and functionally correct CAVs.
Bence Beke, Senior CAV Engineer at HORIBA MIRA, commented: “When we started this project, we were slightly concerned given the extent of the area and the novelty of the simulation platform’s visual engine. As the project progressed, these concerns were dispelled. Agility3 exhibited efficient communication, rapid issue resolution and dedication to deliver to our expectations.”
“Agility3 took the time to understand our expectations and requirements in the beginning and kept us up to date with progress as well as any issues encountered throughout the project. They went out of their way to solve these issues. In the end, Agility3 delivered a model we are impressed with and will certainly help us achieve our goal to ensure CAVs are safe, secure and functionally correct. “
For more information on how Agility3 can deliver innovative driving simulation solutions for your business, get in touch.