IPG Automotive Launches Version 8.0 of the CarMaker Product Family

From a physical lidar sensor model to high-performance computing (HPC) on multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) and the training of artificial intelligence (AI) using semantic segmentation—the new release 8.0 of the CarMaker product family brings many additional functionalities, IPG Automotive reports. Continual development and testing continues to increase along requirements in driving safety,  improvement of ride comfort, variety of electrified propulsion systems and developments in automated driving, according to IPG Automotive. In response to this development, IPG Automotive has enhanced the usability of its products in the fields of generating and organizing scenarios. 

With the release 8.0 of the CarMaker product family, IPG Automotive addresses requirements in validating new systems in driver assistance and automated driving functions, and adds the sensor model Lidar RSI to its sensor portfolio. This new model from the raw signal interfaces (RSI) class enables lidar sensors to be modeled in detail. With this latest addition, users can access virtual models of all physical sensor technologies in CarMaker.

For application of the new Lidar RSI and existing sensor models, the release 8.0 now enables the parallel use of multiple GPUs. This makes it possible to test the fusion of raw data from camera, radar, ultrasound and lidar sensors in real time—in the case of test catalogs on an HPC system or in the cloud.

The sensor model Camera RSI encompasses a new function: It is now possible to obtain semantically segmented image data applicable for the training and validation of algorithms based on artificial intelligence (AI). 

Additionally, the simulation solutions of the CarMaker product family now offer new features in powertrain and vehicle dynamics. With the TestBed product line, a high-performance test bed interface for powertrain applications as well as suitable process integration tools for the integration of virtual test driving into test fields were added to the simulation software. In addition, new vehicle dynamics models for electric vehicle development introduced in the release 8.0 now enable streamlined vehicle dynamics evaluations of hybrid and fully electric vehicles due to the automatic consideration and positioning of EV-specific individual masses in the chassis. 

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IPG Automotive

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.