SIMULATION CREDIBILITY FOR AD - ASCS Brochure #2025 - Magazine - Page 47
SIMULATION CREDIBILITY FOR AD
WHEN VIRTUAL BECOMES VIABLE
WHY SIMULATION CREDIBILITY IS THE NEXT
FRONTIER FOR AUTOMATED DRIVING
MORAI, a leader in digital twin simulation technology, together with the Institute
IPEK at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and TÜV SÜD as independent reviewer,
recently launched a joint research project to develop a Credibility Assessment
Framework for the simulation of autonomous vehicles. In the following interview,
Thomas Guntschnig, Managing Director EMEA at MORAI GmbH, shares insights
and answers key questions about the project's objectives and significance.
What exactly is the goal of this research initiative and
why is it so strategically relevant right now?
Simulation is becoming increasingly central to ADS development and safety validation. But its growing role demands
greater transparency and reproducibility. The Credibility
Assessment Framework aims to define when a simulation
toolchain can be considered sufficiently trustworthy to
support critical validation tasks, including those relevant for
type approval. Together with IPEK, and with TÜV SÜD as
neutral reviewer, we’re developing a methodology that is
both scientifically robust and applicable across toolchains,
automation levels, and operational domains.
Why is simulation credibility difficult to evaluate, and
how does the framework help bring structure to this
complexity?
The challenge lies in the many variables that impact simulation accuracy: from scenario creation to sensor modeling
and system behavior. Each element introduces potential for
deviation from real-world outcomes. The framework we’re
developing introduces a structured method to classify,
evaluate, and document simulation fidelity, enabling more
realistic and reproducible virtual testing. This becomes
especially important for higher-level automation, where
rare, safety-critical scenarios must be validated efficiently.
The aim is to enable a common basis for trust – within
OEMs, across suppliers, and ultimately, with approval
authorities.
How are the responsibilities divided among the project
partners?
MORAI brings simulation expertise and real-world deployment experience. IPEK is responsible for building the
methodological backbone using model-based systems
engineering. TÜV SÜD has been appointed as an independent reviewer, assessing the framework’s compliance with
regulatory expectations and industrial safety standards.
The framework is being developed with scalability in
mind, so it can be used not only in engineering
departments but also by regulators and
certification authorities. Our ambition is
to enable simulation to move from a
development tool to a certifiable part
of the safety case.
From a competitive standpoint, how does this
initiative support European and German OEMs in the
global ADS landscape?
Globally, simulation is becoming part of regulatory discussions. But standards are fragmented and simulation
results often remain locked within a single market or
toolchain. The framework we are developing helps unlock
that barrier. The aim is to develop a method that is both
technically sound and recognized by regulators, and that is
general enough to be used for various simulation software
solutions and ADS systems. Europe, with its emphasis on
systems thinking and safety, has an opportunity to lead by
shaping the standards that define how simulation is used
for regulatory validation. For OEMs, this could mean faster
certification, reduced test mileage, and stronger safety
cases, especially important as AI-based components
become more central to next-gen vehicle architectures.
Looking ahead, can simulation really become a fully
recognized pillar of homologation, and what remains
to be done?
UNECE’s NATM has already identified simulation as one of
three key pillars for ADS validation. What’s missing is a
robust, auditable process for assessing simulation outputs.
That’s exactly the gap our project addresses. If successful,
this framework will help regulators, certification authorities and engineers rely on simulation results with the same
confidence they place in physical tests, paving the way for
safer, faster, and more scalable development of automated driving systems.
Read the full
press release here:
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