The University of Warwick (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/) has secured £4.2 million in funding to acquire one of the world’s most advanced driving simulators. Its Warwick Manufacturing Group (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg)received £3.2 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) towards the cost of the simulator, which will be used by automotive groups such as Jaguar Land Rover.
The simulator will be based initially at WMG’s International Manufacturing Centre, before being moved to the new £150 million National Automotive Innovation Centre, construction of which officially got underway last month.
Professor Philip Nelson, chief executive of the EPSRC, said: “The simulator will help industry incorporate the latest developments in research into products and bring economic benefit to the UK. I am confident that the new National Automotive Innovation Centre will prove to be a fitting home for this new simulator.”
WMG researcher Professor Paul Jennings said: “I am particularly looking forward to using this advanced simulator to better understand the use of smart and connected vehicles in a safe virtual environment.
"We want to help our industry partners accelerate the introduction of this exciting technology, so that we can all reap the many benefits as soon as possible. Some of the new technologies we will be testing will help to reduce congestion and to improve the safety and comfort of drivers and passengers.”
Researchers at WMG’s Cyber Security Centre will use the technology to give cars the maximum resilience and protection. Carsten Maple, Professor of Cyber Systems Engineering at the centre, said: “Modern cars have more computing power and greater connectivity than ever before. Drivers rely on this technology far more than many realise.
“It is our aim to make vehicles as secure and trustworthy as possible, and this simulator will provide a unique opportunity to test both the vehicle and the human interaction with it. We have seen major advances in the safety of vehicles; it is now vital to improve the security of these smart vehicles.”