ADAS validation for the vehicles of the future
Autonomous driving is a topic for the future, but it is no longer pie in the sky. In most production vehicles, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) assist the driver to steer, brake, or park. Many automobiles are already today equipped with driver assistance systems at Level 2 for partially automated driving. At this level, the vehicle can perform driving maneuvers under defined conditions, but the driver is always involved. The next stage toward autonomous driving is Level 3 — highly automated driving. At Level 3, the vehicle can drive itself, but is only allowed to do so in predefined situations, such as on the highway. The driver may briefly withdraw from driving the vehicle, but must be able to take over again at any time. In Level 4, the autopilot takes over driving. The driver can, but does not have to take over the driving of the vehicle. Finally, at Level 5, the vehicle no longer needs a human driver, but drives completely autonomously.
ADAS tests & validation at Level 2
The current status in the development of new vehicles is the integration of driver assistance systems in Levels 2 and 3. We are ready for Level 3 when the manufacturer has obtained all government approvals of the prototype for testing on public roads and streets. As early as Level 2, we conduct road tests with the semi-autonomous vehicle, because the systems need to be validated in the early phases of development.
ADAS is all about maximizing traffic safety in addition to optimizing driving comfort, traffic flow efficiency, and energy consumption. To accomplish these goals, it is essential that the information collected by the system during driving can be processed quickly and reliably. ADAS validation shows whether the sensors are recording the information correctly, whether the IT in the vehicle is processing it sufficiently, and whether the system is providing the driver with visual, acoustic, or haptic feedback in a timely manner. Before hardware and software can go into production with the vehicle, it must be proven that the vehicle with ADAS behaves in road traffic exactly as was planned and virtually tested beforehand at the OEM.
Level 1: Driver Assistance
The driver steers the vehicle, supported by selected functions such as cruise control (automatic speed control), braking assistance, and parking assistance.
Testing: during simulation, mostly directly at the OEM.
Level 2: Driving with Partial Automation
The driver steers the vehicle and may have the vehicle autonomously perform certain predefined driving tasks such as, for example, emergency braking, lane keeping, or overtaking.
Testing: during simulation and on the test track. Testing occurs mostly directly at the OEM, then on public roads during ATESTEO test runs (road tests).
Level 3: Conditional Driving Automation
The driver steers the vehicle and may allow the highly automated vehicle to drive autonomously for partial stretches such as, for example, on the highway; however, the driver may take control of the vehicle at any time.
Testing: during simulation and on the test track, mostly directly at the OEM. Afterward, testing is on public roads during ATESTEO road tests (only with governmental approval of the manufacturer).
Level 4: Highly Automated Driving
The system autonomously performs all driving tasks. However, the driver can take control of driving the vehicle at any time.
Level 5: Autonomous Driving
The vehicle drives completely autonomously. There is no longer a human driver, only passengers or empty runs.
The outlook …
Vehicles for Level 3 with road approval already exist. Developments will continue in Level 3 to Level 4 over the next few years. Fully autonomously driving vehicles are expected to be on the road in the EU as of 2040.
ADAS validation on public roads and streets
ATESTEO tests the functions of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) for Level 2 in a real environment – in the complete vehicle on public roads and streets during road tests. As a testing specialist, we validate for you at this level in public. From us, you receive ADAS validation as a full-service package with test driver, test engineer, engineering know-how, and measurement technology. During road testing, we drive high-mileage and high-kilometer routes to cover all driving scenarios. Our test driver takes into account traffic jams, changing weather conditions, changes on the road and street, pedestrians, and cyclists. The ATESTEO test engineer is present in the passenger seat during the entire road test, monitoring the sensors and the clean acquisition of measurement data.
ADAS validation at ATESTEO during road testing
Our ADAS validation services:
- We provide a test driver and test engineer.
- You take advantage of broad and deep engineering expertise and our own measurement technology.
- We check the system while driving on the road.
- We create reports on any faults or problems that occur.
- We describe errors and faults.
- We provide test data on the reason for the failure of the functions.
- We perform an analysis.
- You receive an evaluation with root cause detection.
During ADAS validation, we take your ADAS Level 2 prototype to the streets during road tests. Under real conditions, we test all functions of the driver assistance system in the vehicle and during driving operation. Based on the collected data, we evaluate whether the vehicle behaves correctly and if not, why it produces faults or errors. During the analysis phase, we show how the vehicle is able to behave correctly. And we identify the parameters that lead to the malfunction. Is it external parameters such as lighting conditions, weather, or oncoming traffic? Is it the vehicle itself? To do this, we carefully evaluate the measurement data, sensor data, camera data, and vehicle data. Through our measuring, analyzing, evaluating, and determining the causes, you receive test results that provide you with a basis for developing countermeasures or optimizing your system.
The ADAS validation tests on the complete vehicle
ATESTEO conducts road tests for validating the ADAS functions TSR, LDW, LKA, and ACC to Level 2 by applying much project experience and testing expertise to ADAS validation. We take into account real road conditions, various types of roads, influences of weather, and the local driving behavior. This requires driving many kilometers or miles on public roads and streets.
ADAS validation of TSR (Traffic Sign Recognition)
Traffic Sign Recognition involves a camera in the semi-autonomous vehicle that identifies and interprets traffic signs. The navigation system also has to be able to recognize traffic signs if the camera fails. These functions are tested during ADAS validation during road tests on the road. For meaningful data, the route plan also includes special traffic signs such as highway exit signs, parallel roads with different speed limits, temporary traffic signs in construction zones, digital signs, or traffic signs with additional information. The collected data, including feedback on errors, serve the manufacturer as a basis for optimizing hardware and software.
- For traffic sign recognition based on cameras: We test the effects of weather and the environment on the camera; for example, rain, snow, fog, reflection, darkness, or dust on the camera lens.
- For traffic sign recognition based on navigation: We test the correctness and currency of the traffic signs displayed.
ADAS validation of LDW (Lane Departure Warning) and LKA (Lane Keeping Assist)
Lane departure warning (LDW) systems detect and warn when the vehicle drifts out of its lane. Lane keeping assist (LKA) systems warn when the vehicle departs the lane. Both LDW and LKA are implemented through vehicle cameras that detect the lane lines on the road or street. Both functions are normally usable starting at 60 km/h. Weather and environmental conditions, however, affect the lens and the visibility of lane lines. During ADAS validation, ATESTEO tests both functions for correctness and speed.
- Verification of the correctness and update rate of the display an the dashboard and HUD. During the vehicle test, the test driver turns off the cornering lights, approaches the lane, and passes over the lane to confirm the warning signals and LKA action, such as steering wheel vibrations.
- Functional tests during overtaking maneuvers and road junctions. The route plan also covers special road conditions, such as different lane line colors, mixed lines, forks, tunnels, or construction zones (road works).
ADAS validation of Travel Assist (ACC)
Travel Assist combines ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and LKA (Lane Keeping Assist) based on radar and cameras to reduce driver fatigue under favorable road and weather conditions. In ADAS validation, ATESTEO tests the reliability and functionality of ACC in on-road driving tests. ATESTEO also tests the Travel Assist in general under special local road conditions such as construction zones (road works). Maximum speed, distance control, driving comfort through automatic acceleration/deceleration, acceleration/deceleration by the driver, and warning signals are tested. If pre-braking or the avoidance of overtaking on the right is possible, these functions are also demonstrated.
- Safety test: In the case of speed control based on TSR (Traffic Sign Recognition) and navigation.
- Functional test for entry/exit, overtaking, curve, ramp, congestion (traffic jam), and bypass, taking into account the effects of weather.
ADAS Validierung des APA (Advanced Park Assist)
Automatic Parking Assist (APA) assists parking in almost every new car today. The Advanced Parking Assist (APA) system also has a scan function. At the touch of a button, it uses a sensor to scan the edge of the road for suitable parking spaces given the size of the vehicle, notifying the driver if the search is successful. The system then calculates the optimal parking procedure and guides the driver when parking. This is why APA tests in ADAS validation at ATESTEO cover all common environments, types of parking spaces, obstacles, and starting positions as far as possible and take into account both environmental influences and local parking behavior.
- Check the identification of a parking space, parking space priority, safety and sensitivity, and the crossing of parking stripes.
- Immovable obstacles: traffic signs, trees, roadblocks.
- Moveable obstacles: pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and motorbikes, e-scooters.
- Environment: weather conditions, color and type of parking stripes (markings), shade and shadows, curve, ramp, one-way street, and congestion (traffic jam).
- Parking spots: Parallel (horizontal), vertical, oblique, and left/right parking.
- Parking areas: outdoor lots, shopping center, parking garage (car park), underground garage, and charging station.
