FGB boosts Audi Show in Mallorca
It is just a few days ago that FGB’s widely travelled technology team returned back home from Majorca. The employees travelled to the Balearic Islands on behalf of Audi. On the occasion of a four-week press event FGB co-developed a special driving simulator for the new A3, which had to be supported on-site. This platform had been created by the technology experts of FGB very fast and – as a real innovation – impressed even discerning industry professionals.
The car maker from Ingolstadt had invited 1000 international media representatives to Majorca and had chartered the Finca Son Espases for the event. Main part of the presentation of the new A3 was the motion platform developed and produced by FGB. It allows for a realistic testing of all driver assistance systems (e.g. lane assist, adaptive cruise control, parking assistant, etc.) without moving the car itself. The vehicle stands on FGB’s motion platform and is surrounded by three big screens. Those screens show realistic scenarios of different driving situations. The corresponding movement of the car, e.g. lifting (during acceleration), lowering (braking manoeuvre) and rolling (cornering) is implemented by means of four electric actuators located below each wheel in the platform. This is how a realistic driving experience is created.
Audi has been impressed by the fast and successful implementation through FGB and would like to extend the platform for their complete range of vehicles in the future. Currently the technology team is working under pressure on appropriate adapters for the A7. More moving platforms are being requested. The car manufacturer is thinking about using these systems to educate salespeople in training centers and to approach customers at conferences, airports and hotels. The mobility of the system is given by a modular construction and special transportation containers.
It was a logistic challenge (dismantling, transport and rebuilding) to bring the platform back to Germany for the Automotive Testing Expo in Stuttgart, at the following weekend after the show in Majorca had finished. Here, FGB was allowed to present the platform together with the new A3, as sign of gratitude.
The project stays in line with other innovative machines realised by the manufacturer of special purpose machinery. The company with its 160 employees is part of the steinbach-gruppe and developes individual automation and testing solutions for customers worldwide.