PERTE VEC PP22 Project Advances: Digital Solutions for Advanced Mobility

The project begins its final phase in 2025, and we take this milestone as an opportunity to summarize the main results from the project launch in late May 2022 through the end of 2024.

Digital solutions for testing processes

We are researching to develop an ecosystem of digital tools that improve the efficiency and quality of testing processes, with research lines including:

• Test management optimization and results analysis - Investigating systems that maximize efficiency in test data collection and processing
• Advances in vehicle durability and dynamics - Investigating innovative methods to evaluate the resistance and dynamic behavior of electric vehicles
• Innovation in ADAS systems and passive safety - Investigating solutions to improve advanced driver assistance systems and occupant protection
• Development of brake and powertrain technologies - Investigating new approaches to optimize critical components in electric vehicles
• Microservice architecture for efficient integration - Investigating the application of modular systems that facilitate connection between different platforms and tools
• Advanced algorithms for data processing and analysis - Investigating sophisticated methods to extract value from large volumes of information
• Automation systems for report generation - Investigating processes that streamline documentation and reporting of results
• Dashboards for real-time data analysis - Investigating the applicability and usability of dynamic visualizations to monitor tests and results instantly

Digital solutions for project management

We have researched and developed a digital platform designed to improve communication and collaboration with clients on ECV projects, with advanced features including:

• Technological solution for communication and collaboration - Enabling sharing of information, documents, and detailed project tracking
• Quality controls - Ensuring consistency of project statuses and dates
• Advanced reports and dashboards - Offering a unified view of different projects
• Specialized management of test samples - With special attention to controlling and tracing ECV batteries
• Document access system - Facilitating access to test reports shared by the IDIADA team
• Detailed tracking - Allowing consultation and monitoring of the status of samples used in projects
• Secure download system - Guaranteeing secure transfer of documents and deliverables
• Advanced permissions administration - With specific access management for project teams
• Permanent availability - Ensuring 24/7 access to updated project information
• Extended connectivity - With improved integration with peripheral systems

Digital solutions for infrastructure management

Our research in digital solutions for infrastructure management includes significant innovations:

• 'Barriers' - Real-time monitoring system for vehicles on test tracks, with intuitive interface providing crucial information about vehicles and an alert system to improve safety
• ECV box planning system - Researching the optimization of resource use, including charging points, with efficient energy management and improved safety protocols for high-voltage vehicles
• Real-time data analysis - Enabling instant collection and analysis during tests to improve performance and efficiency in ECV development
• V2X connectivity module - Investigating the applicability of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) connectivity scenario simulation
• Digitization of key processes - Including automated washing tunnel, digital relay sheets for track controllers, and digital box inventory
• Infrastructure optimization - With improvements in warehouse sample management and other critical resources

Digital solutions for file and document management

We have achieved significant milestones in the digitization of document management:

• MVP for ECV homologation file management - Investigating the applicability of a system for comprehensive life cycle management of files, with integrations with existing systems and improvements in security, traceability, and efficiency
• Advanced standards administration software - Investigating advanced categorization for efficient searches, equivalences between different markets, version consolidations, and personnel qualification module
• AI-assisted test management - Investigating the applicability of specific templates for electric vehicle standards, AI-assisted document validation, and intelligent process automation through machine learning, natural language processing, and rapid adaptation to new regulatory requirements

Artificial intelligence: Proof of concepts in virtual design and development

We are leading the Artificial Intelligence revolution in the automotive sector with innovative proof of concepts:

• Detection of events in material vibrations - Investigating PointNet models for point cloud classification and optimizing calculation times in analysis
• Optimization of vehicle dynamics simulations - Exploring Deep Learning algorithms to predict simulation results and investigating Machine Learning models to replicate the behavior of active systems
• Automatic digitization of technical data - Investigating advanced image and text processing techniques to efficiently extract data
• Cutting-edge technologies - Investigating the application of convolutional neural networks, predictive models for simulations, natural language processing, and advanced machine learning and deep learning techniques
• Cloud solutions - Investigating optimization of data preprocessing, improving model training, and increasing computational efficiency

Artificial intelligence: Proof of concepts in test automation

Our AI proof of concepts for test automation include:

• Specialized AI assistants - Combining various language models trained with IDIADA-specific technical information to enhance our engineers' capabilities
• Advanced AI technologies - Exploring convolutional neural networks, reinforcement learning, recurrent neural networks, and natural language processing
• Exploration in other fields - Evaluation of brake noises transforming subjective evaluations into objective metrics through machine learning models, analysis of impact test signals investigating automatic anomaly detection in signals, comparative vehicle analysis, using natural language processing to obtain information on market perceptions and trends

Digital twins: Components and vehicles

We have conducted an exhaustive campaign of tests and analyses of ECV vehicles to investigate the applicability of precise digital twins:

• High-voltage architecture evaluation - Analyzing electrical systems and critical components in detail
• Energy efficiency analysis - Studying consumption and range in different test cycles and conditions (WLTP and RDE)
• Charging systems characterization - Evaluating charging performance and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality
• Performance testing - Conducting rigorous performance tests and subjective evaluation by driving experts
• Comprehensive component approach - Analyzing key elements such as inverters, motors, and charge control systems, evaluating efficiency and power maps, and detailed aerodynamic studies

Digital twins: Scenarios

We have investigated the implementation of high-definition models of virtual tracks that will revolutionize vehicle development and validation:

• Ultra-precise virtual surfaces - Recreating irregularities in roads with mesh resolutions of up to 5x5 mm for comfort and durability simulations
• Advanced driving simulators - Integrating human feedback into early development stages with realistic 3D environments
• Design based on plans - Merging original designs with "AsBuilt" plans for maximum precision
• Precision virtual modeling - Generating 3D meshes that faithfully replicate curves, straights, and other features
• Digital terrain models - Incorporating real topographic data for greater realism
• Detailed environments - Adding road signs, street furniture, and buildings
• Hyper-realistic textures - Accurately replicating real construction materials
• Updated HD maps - Generating new high-definition maps that reflect the final configuration
• Validation on multiple platforms - Ensuring compatibility and optimal performance on various simulators

Digital twins: Driver profile

We have researched cloud infrastructure for collecting and analyzing driving data:

• Advanced Data Lake - Implementing flexible and scalable solutions to efficiently manage information from drivers and vehicles
• Navimu System - Using this innovative device developed by IDIADA for precise and real-time capture of vehicle data
• Ethical data collection - Designing customized forms and extranet platforms that comply with data protection regulations
• Sophisticated ETL processing - Implementing systems to process data and generate customized KPIs for in-depth analysis
• Dynamic visualization - Creating dashboards with interactive reports that offer real-time visualizations of analyzed data

Digital twins of the electric vehicle charging process

Our research related to ECV charging includes significant advances:

• Evolution of CPO and EMSP systems - Implementing OCPP and OCPI protocols to improve interoperability, multi-factor authentication, advanced reservation management, and real-time monitoring of the charging cycle
• Smart Charging - Investigating dynamic energy management algorithms and customizable charging profiles to optimize costs and efficiency
• Emerging technologies - Advancing in Plug&Charge solutions for fluid user experiences and V2G sniffers to optimize vehicle-grid communication
• Advanced data methodologies - Designing strategic test routes and real-time monitoring systems

These initiatives are part of all Applus+ IDIADA ACTIVITIES within the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE VEC), funded by the Spanish Government's Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the European Union, NextGenerationEU, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. Project File Number: VEC-020100-2022-219.