Virtual development of two-wheelers – dynamic, realistic, efficient
Sport, electric or around town: Motorcycles present a unique challenge for vehicle developers.
What application areas are you interested in?
ARAS
Daily challenges in ARAS development
- Introduction of ARAS has resulted in new development methods and validation processes
- Increasing complexity of systems drives higher development and validation costs
- Traditional test methods, such as real test driving, reach their limits regarding coverage, reproducibility and track availability
- Effective system integration and collaboration with third-party providers
- Cost and time savings are essential in development and testing
- Advances in sensor technology and system communication increase demands on development resources
How we can help
- Simulation of perception sensors, from simplified versions to fine image detail: radars, lidar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors
- Provision of coding interfaces for implementing intelligent driving functions and controllers
- Hardware interfaces for implementing (perception) sensors, actuators and ECUs
- Extensive catalog of 3D objects and sensor model classes
- Consultation on virtual homologation with over 15 years of experience in virtual homologation of vehicle applications
- Consultation and training: knowledge transfer for integrating simulation best practices into development processes
Powertrain and electric mobility
How we can help
- Simulation allows integration and testing of various powertrain concepts
- Optimization steps and adjustments can be tracked and retraced at any time
- Tests with real map data and reproducible environmental, traffic and road conditions
- Simulation eliminates dependency on real-world testing
- Hardware integration – from motor and transmission control units to entire powertrain
Daily challenges in modern powertrain development
- Complex and variable test conditions
- Driving experience must balance technical progress with mechanical authenticity
- Wide spectrum ranging from powerful racing motorcycles to affordable bikes for everyday use
- Total cost of ownership is the key driver for maximizing efficiency at minimal cost
- Emission regulations and laws shape the development process
Vehicle Dynamics
Daily challenges in vehicle dynamics development
- Achieving safe and high-performance driving characteristics through appropriate design and component selection
- Real prototypes are costly, limited in availability and require experienced test drivers
- Performing extensive validations under various road and driving conditions
- Testing in a safe and controlled environment is often difficult to achieve
How we can help
- Virtual design and validation of vehicle geometry, suspension and brakes
- Enable development decisions based on simulation results instead of expensive prototype tests
- Models can be easily adjusted and refined during the development process
- Safe investigation of malfunctions and borderline cases under fully reproducible laboratory conditions
Use Cases
Validation of camera-based driver assistance systems for motorcycles using hardware-in-the-loop simulation
Most modern motorcycles still do not have a camera- and radar-based driver assistance system – but demand is growing. Rather than developing new sensors, sensors already being used in the automotive sector are being adapted. In a feasibility study, a standard camera was tested on a hardware-in-the-loop test bench using MotorcycleMaker, allowing the early testing of the inclined position and increased dynamics of motorcycles, as well as the efficient validation of the functions.
Using MotorcycleMaker to control electric drives under variable friction coefficients
Electric motorcycles have a complex drive architecture. This creates development and coordination challenges, especially when it comes to brake energy recovery under varying friction coefficients. A co-simulation using MotorcycleMaker and Typhoon HIL enables realistic tests in virtual vehicle testing. The results show that the rapid torque control of electric drives can serve as an effective anti-lock braking function.
