1 2 DECEMBER 2018
FOUR STEPS TO SUCCESS
The AVL process takes place in four phases – vehicle benchmarking paves
the way for target setting, which is followed by virtual attribute development
and finally balancing and concept definition. This approach, which
takes away much of the guesswork of physical prototyping, enables the
OEM to identify the requirements of their chosen markets, and create
a solution that meets their goals while balancing vehicle DNA, product
positioning and their own USP.
In the past these attribute assessment and balancing activities have been
highly subjective. But thanks to our objective Global Vehicle Benchmarking
Program and the AVL-DRIVE™ tool, a database of measurements of
more than 400 vehicles has been created, with around 150 new vehicles
added annually. These data and tools enable our customers to decide what
kind of positioning is possible compared to the competition.
“At this point we solve the question about which technology is necessary
to fulfil this positioning,” explains Oswald. “We look at what technologies
are available, but also if we can bring our innovation to the table to see
where we can offer the OEM advantages over existing technology.”
Exhaustive explorations are made
using simulations that combine
technologies to meet the goals determined
in the earlier positioning
exercise. This can take from three to
six months, is highly accurate, and
removes the unreliable trial and error
aspect of physical prototyping
from the process. The time and cost
savings are, obviously, significant.
“This approach enables us to advise
on pre-development issues and
support our customers in choosing
technologies that will bring them to
their goal,” says Oswald. “We can
answer questions not just in terms
of efficiency, fuel consumption and
emissions, but we can also define
and predict driving characteristics.”
Modelling and balancing efficiency,
consumption and driving characteristic
in this way enables OEMs to
understand if their vehicle concept
will not just meet legislative and
market demands in their chosen
markets, but also gain an idea of
driving excitement. How will the
driver feel when driving the car,
what will the handing and performance
be like, how emotionally engaging
will their experience be? This
can all be gauged before any hardware
has even been built.
“We are committed to the fact that,
without even having measured the
vehicle, we can say what this car
will feel like,” says Oswald.
The use of simulation
technologies can assess
goal feasibility early in
the development process.
» WE CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS NOT JUST IN TERMS
OF EFFICIENCY, FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS,
BUT WE CAN ALSO DEFINE AND PREDICT
DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS. «
MARIO OSWA L D • Skill Team Leader at AVL
vehicle engineering