52 V-process, see Fig. 1. Tests run early and independently from prototypes. Virtual ECUs and digital twins as industry standard Today, virtual ECUs are the backbone of efficient software validation. Production code is tested directly in simulation, allowing for reproducible, scalable and hardware-independent tests, see Fig. 2. Combined with virtual full vehicles, a digital twin is created that can be used from initial concept to homologation. As a result, earlier integration, significantly higher test coverage, lower hardware-dependency and a robust quality with simultaneously faster release cycles become achievable. Practice over theory The Consulting team at IPG Automotive collaborates with OEMs and suppliers Consulting and virtualization Redefining Efficiency How to fully leverage virtualization beyond technical application By Henning Kemper, Senior Specialist Editor, IPG Automotive The automotive industry is currently undergoing the largest transformation in decades: Software-defined architectures, short development cycles and growing system complexity challenge established processes. It is not just about whether companies use simulation in vehicle development; it is also about how consistently and strategically they integrate virtualization within their organization. Many companies are already equipped with suitable tools and the necessary infrastructure, but they are not leveraging their full potential. This is where IPG Automotive’s consulting services come into play. Virtualization as a business case Simulation does not automatically lower costs – it is an investment into methods, models, processes and skills. Only structure, automation and scaling create a resilient ROI. Companies that view virtualization only as a tool are wasting valuable potential. Successful organizations use virtualization as a strategic lever for quick decisions, early fault detection and robust software quality. IPG Automotive supports OEMs and suppliers in developing realistic cost and benefit structures and implementing virtualization in an economically efficient way. From vision to reality The biggest hurdle is rarely the technology itself, but rather a missing mindset and a lack of clarity on how to establish it within the organization. Without coordinated roles, processes, responsibilities and training courses, isolated as well as unscalable solutions are created. The Consulting team establishes virtualization as an integral part of the development strategy with clear goals, measurable results and a defined roadmap. As a result, virtualization is no longer an add-on but serves as a structural basis for modern vehicle development. Master complexity: Virtual first in all domains Software-defined vehicles dramatically increase the integration effort and the frequency of changes. Since functions now span across domains, conventional physical testing is reaching its limits. A holistic, virtualized test strategy creates the necessary scalability in this context. Modern approaches combine model-, software-, hardware- and vehicle-inthe-loop tests throughout the entire Fig. 1: Development, integration, calibration und validation in the full vehicle at all levels: Systems engineering from day one Images: © IPG Automotive
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