Fremont, Calif., March 2024 — TOYO Corporation, which develops tools and technologies for manufacturers, including simulator for testing electric and autonomous vehicles, announced the recent selection of its vehicle-in-the-loop simulator (ViLS) by a top US automaker for testing and validating their next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles. This marks the company’s second purchase; the system is valued in the multi-millions of dollars, making it one of the biggest orders ever awarded to TOYO for the ViLS platform. It uses informatics to simulate real-world scenarios, such as different road conditions and weather.
TOYO’s ViLS enables automotive engineers to conduct a wide array of vehicle, environmental, and road tests under realistic conditions in a cost-effective and safe laboratory environment. Specifically tailored to support the CASE paradigm (Connected, Autonomous/Automated, Shared, Electric), the TOYO ViLS platform integrates leading components, including Rototest Energy Powertrain dynamometers, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and True Sim, a professional-grade driving simulator with augmented reality functionality.
After a multi-month technical assessment of the ViLS with one of the automaker’s EVs, they established that the ViLS met both their current and evolving needs. In particular, they needed dynamometers capable of coping with the high-torque forces generated by EVs. They observed that the Rototest system met this stringent requirement. They moved forward and submitted an order for two complete ViLS systems. The ViLS order secured by TOYO is the largest ever, valued in the multi-millions of dollars, marking a significant milestone. The customer worked closely with TOYO’s U.S. subsidiary TOYOTech through all phases of the procurement cycle. And delivery and deployment of the platforms are expected to occur before the end of the year.
Key advantages of the TOYO ViLS include:
- Portability and quick setup time
- High-torque force support
- 4-wheel independent control dynamometer system requiring only a flat surface and power
- Steering control and feedback during running tests
- Low-inertia drive motor unit
- Quick acceleration testing by eliminating tires
- 4-quadrant testing capabilities (forward, reverse, power running, regeneration)
- Running resistance testing, simulating hill conditions
- Options such as a blower for generating headwinds and an interface for linking external control systems
The automaker’s key test requirements encompass advanced driver assistance system software modules, high torque force tests, acceleration tests, adaptive cruise control tests, steering control, and feedback tests. Additionally, they conduct emergency and regenerative braking tests. And in December 2023, the company deployed and commissioned two ViLS systems that the automaker had previously ordered.
“We’re grateful for the ongoing trust from this U.S. automaker, validating TOYO’s dedication to our ViLS development,” said Toshiya Kohno, President/CEO at TOYO. “Their second adoption of our Vehicle-in-the-Loop Simulator highlights its unmatched performance, empowering engineers to accelerate next-gen vehicle development.”
As the automotive industry embraces technology fields such as computing, wireless communications, networking, sensors, radar, and artificial intelligence. TOYO stands ready to propel this vision forward with innovative test solutions like the ViLS platform.
