Year in review: The year 2021 for MdynamiX

Munich/Benningen. A good year is coming to an end. Despite the Corona pandemic, which affected our private and business life to a greater or lesser extent, we can be proud of a successful year.

The year 2021 started with the large research project METAVI. Together with well-known industrial companies such as Audi, Continental, Schaeffler, AB Dynamics and the Kempten University of Applied Sciences (IFM), we started the joint project. Over a period of three years, the project partners will conduct research in the field of automated driving and steer-by-wire systems with a special focus on the user experience and virtual development methods. Here, new simulation, simulator, test and evaluation methods are developed, which are directly incorporated into our new products MXeval and MXsteerHiL. The project is funded by “Bayern Digital,” an initiative of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, State Development and Energy to advance human-centered technologies and development methods for automated driving.

In the summer, there was probably a highlight in store for one of our closest partner institutes: The move-in of the Institute for Driver Assistance and Connected Mobility (IFM) of Kempten University of Applied Sciences at the Benningen site. Here, the institute moved into the new, larger premises in the direct neighborhood of the Fakt Motion test and inspection site. After the ceremonial opening in the presence of guests from politics, business and science, exciting projects in the fields of assisted and automated driving could finally get started. A few months later, the heart of the IFM followed, the dynamic driving simulator from AB Dynamics. After extensive construction and renovation work, this was ready for use at the new location in the fall and could be put back into operation for research purposes.

Other projects were also intensified: Stefan Sentpali, professor of acoustics, continued to work on the sound of electric cars. These are known to be quiet, but should not be silent, especially for safety reasons. It is therefore important to find the right sound so as not to completely lose the identity of the “car brand”.

The latest release of MXeval is in the starting blocks. In this new version, the focus was on the development of numerous new evaluation libraries for braking behaviour, vehicle dynamics, driving comfort and comfort during automated driving.

We went into series production with MXsteerHiL. MXsteerHiL is a steering-in-the-loop solution for the development of vehicle dynamics and automated driving that reproduces a uniquely realistic steering feel. This enables you to realise your creative ideas more quickly. As a modular construction kit, MXsteerHiL can be used flexibly from the HiL laboratory to the highly dynamic simulator and enables the evaluation and calibration of steering systems and ADAS/AD functions already in the early phase of development. MXsteerHiL has evolved from METAVI and will be successively further developed with the findings.

Unfortunately, the VDI ADC Cup had to be cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, new accessories have been developed for our MXcarkits and our range has been expanded. The jewel of the new accessories: A traffic light that can be controlled remotely with the corresponding app – the MXcarkit Traffic Light System. New road elements and matching traffic signs were also designed to create your own preferred route. Our in-house and online MXacademy seminars continued to gain strong momentum last year.

We look back with gratitude on an eventful and successful 2021. For a more detailed report, also have a look at the Media Report 2021 (in German).