At Institute for Internal Combustion Engines and Automotive Engineering (IVK) at University of Stuttgart and The Research Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart (FKFS) the construction of a very efficient driving simulator was completed after a three-year construction period. The Stuttgart driving simulator, the largest of its kind at a European Research Institute, enables the research and development of intelligent driver assistance systems to reduce fuel consumption and to ensure the safety optimisation of electrical and hybrid vehicles with a conventional drive. On Monday, 25th June 2012, the ceremonial inauguration of the Stuttgart driving simulator took place on the Vaihingen Campus in Stuttgart upon the invitation of the University of Stuttgart and FKFS in the presence of numerous invited guests from the fields of science, business and politics.
In his welcome speech Prof. Wolfram Ressel, Rector of the University of Stuttgart, described the
largest driving simulator in Europe as a highlighted example for research at the highest level, on
which the international reputation of the University of Stuttgart is based: “It is a task of our
university to acquire attractive research projects in the future too and to motivate scientists to
make scientific achievements respected worldwide by providing favourable conditions“, according to
Ressel.
Theresia Bauer, Minister for Education, Research and Art Baden-Württemberg said in her
greeting: “The results of the work with the Stuttgart driving simulator will provide a major
stimulus for research in the field of electro-mobility to reach a top level in Europe. The
commitment of the state shows that Baden-Württemberg is aware of its responsibility as an
automotive location. It is here in particular that innovations have to be developed in order to
organise these important industrial sectors sustainably and in an environmentally friendly way. “
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research funded the new driving simulator with around 3
million Euros. On the occasion of the inauguration the State Secretary Dr. Georg Schütte emphasised
the contribution of the simulator to the further development of conventional and alternative drive
technologies: “This largest driving simulator in Europe will enable researchers to make the cars of
the future more energy-efficient and safer. Such innovative developments are the basis for Germany
being able to secure its technological edge on the international automobile market in the coming
years as well. “
In his speech the Board Chairman at FKFS, Prof. Dr. Hans-Christian Reuss, presented the
technical concept of the Stuttgart driving simulator to the invited guests and explained the
diverse number of possible applications: “The modern vehicle is characterised by a high and
increasing number of electronic control and assistance systems“, explained Reuss. “It is not only
for financial reasons that virtual environments are being increasingly used for the quantitative
and qualitative assessments of these systems. Along with energy and CO2 savings, accidence
avoidance will also constitute a focal point in future. Our researches will contribute towards the
number of road casualties being reduced.“
The driving simulator was designed for public research as well as for cooperative projects
with the automotive industry. The financing of the driving simulator was done from funds provided
by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (approx. 3.0 million Euros) and the Ministry of
Science and Art Baden-Württemberg (approx. 1.,8 million Euros). Added to this were funds from the
fiscal stimulus package 2 (1.25 million Euros) and equity capital of FKFS (1.0 million Euros).
In order to realistically simulate vehicle movements, the driving simulator has an eight-axis
movement system with a 10m x 7m movement room, serving the purpose of representing combined
longitudinal and lateral accelerations. A superimposed hexapod enables the simulation of lift,
pitch, roll and yaw movements. Complete, slightly modified pilot productions or production vehicles
can be introduced in the simulator through a vehicle change system. The simulation environment is
developed on a modular basis so that this can be supplemented with other functions and also
commercial products.
A two-storey annex was built for the driving simulator at Institute for Combustion Engines
and Automotive Engineering at University of Stuttgart.
Further information:
Dr. Hans-Herwig Geyer, University Communication at the University of Stuttgart, Tel.:
0711/685-82555, Email: hans-herwig.geyer@hkom.uni-stuttgart.de
Philip Rumbolz, Institute for Combustion Engines and Automotive Engineering at University of
Stuttgart, Tel: 0711/68529, Email: philip.rumbolz@fkfs.de
