Volkswagen Group is developing a shared system that turns fleet recordings into virtual tests for automated-driving software, with Porsche leading the initial implementation to reduce repeated physical test drives across its brands.
Voxel51 and NVIDIA described the project in Oct. 21 announcements. It combines Voxel51’s data platform, NVIDIA’s simulation tools and Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure. CARIAD, Volkswagen Group’s software company, is also involved.
Voxel51’s tools help engineers find, label and select vehicle recordings for testing. NVIDIA’s Cosmos Data Factory prepares training data, while Omniverse NuRec recreates recorded journeys for virtual evaluation. Engineers can compare the software’s response in a simulation with measurements from the original drive.
Voxel51 projects up to 90% fewer repeated physical test drives and up to 85% shorter AI regression test cycles. NVIDIA separately forecasts up to 85% shorter development-cycle duration. Neither announcement provides measured results or a baseline for those projections.
The group intends to reuse driving scenarios across its brands, vehicle programs and software releases. That would allow engineers to test another version of a system against a recorded situation without collecting the same case again. Voxel51 says its tools run roughly 80 checks on each raw drive recording before reconstruction.
Voxel51 also says Volkswagen Group’s fleet generates data equivalent to that of 11,000 average drivers each day. The company did not explain how it calculated that comparison.
Volkswagen Group and Microsoft announced a cloud-based automated-driving platform in 2021. Voxel51 CEO Brian Moore said automakers need to “own the development and iteration loop” even when other companies provide parts of the technology.
