VI-grade has installed a custom ride and comfort driving simulator at Daimler Truck AG’s development and testing facility in Wörth, Germany, to support subjective assessments of ride comfort across different commercial vehicle configurations.
The simulator is designed to support evaluations at up to two seating positions, and reproduces realistic vibration behaviour, enabling engineering teams to assess vehicle dynamics and perceived comfort early in the development process.
The system integrates advanced measurement technology, which enables the simultaneous acquisition of test bench data and simulator inputs. It supports a wide range of excitation sources, including simulation-based models and real-world vehicle data, to ensure accuracy and repeatability.
As a complement to these capabilities, HBK’s nCode software is used for advanced data processing and analysis. The software enables engineers to process measured data, perform durability and finite element (FE)-based fatigue analysis, and gain deeper insights into vehicle performance while supporting data management across the development workflow.
“Ride comfort and vibration development in commercial vehicles comes with a high level of complexity, driven by diverse operating conditions and vehicle configurations,” said Helmut Schmitz, Central Europe sales director for simulation at VI-grade. “Our simulation solutions enable engineering teams to replicate these conditions realistically, combining subjective evaluation with precise data to accelerate development and improve overall vehicle performance.”
