Simulation Technology Enhances Autonomous Driving

The latest issue of the DFG magazine German Research (Issue 1-2024) features an article that highlights the advancements made through the EMMA4Drive project, an innovative approach to enhancing safety and ergonomics in autonomous vehicles. The article is co-authored by Jörg Fehr from the Institute of Engineering and Computational Mechanics (ITM) at the University of Stuttgart. Fehr is an active participant in the Cluster of Excellence SimTech and has played a pivotal role in the development of the EMMA4Drive project.

The EMMA4Drive project, a collaborative endeavor between the University of Stuttgart and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics (ITWM), focuses on the advancement of the dynamic human model EMMA. This model is designed to simulate and evaluate the posture and behavior of drivers in a wide range of driving scenarios, addressing the unique challenges posed by autonomous and partially autonomous driving. Unlike traditional static movement models, EMMA provides a realistic representation of human movements and their interaction with vehicle interiors. This allows for more accurate predictions and assessments, crucial for the development of safer and more comfortable autonomous driving systems.

Central to the EMMA4Drive project is the integration of cutting-edge research and advanced simulation technology. The project brings together the expertise of several key figures:

• Jörg Fehr: As a researcher at SimTech and the University of Stuttgart, Fehr is responsible for knowledge transfer within the Cluster of Excellence.
• Joachim Linn: Leading the “Mathematics for the Digital Factory” department at Fraunhofer ITWM, Linn has been instrumental in the mathematical and computational aspects of the project.
• Marius Obentheuer: Heading the EMMA4Drive project at Fraunhofer ITWM, Obentheuer oversees the development and implementation of the dynamic human model.
• Michael Koch: Coordinating at the ITWM spin-off fleXstructures GmbH, Koch ensures the application-oriented test scenarios and dissemination of research results to the vehicle industry.

EMMA4Drive’s innovative approach allows for the digital twin of the vehicle occupants to be analyzed in various scenarios, from everyday driving to emergency situations. This capability is particularly important in the context of autonomous driving, where traditional models fall short in predicting the dynamic interactions between humans and vehicle systems. The project uses virtual test drives to validate data and models, providing cost-effective and reliable insights for vehicle design.

The research team’s simulation-based approach also reduces the need for physical crash tests, which are expensive and less flexible. By simulating dynamic interactions between humans and vehicle systems, EMMA4Drive helps to optimize vehicle designs for both everyday and emergency situations.

The detailed findings and implications of the EMMA4Drive project are thoroughly discussed in the in the current issue of German Research that can be accessed online here. Additional information about the magazine and its other publications can be found on the DFG German Research website.

For more in-depth details about the EMMA4Drive project and its developments, visit the Fraunhofer ITWM’s dedicated page here.