SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM) recently introduced its groundbreaking RoboTest unmanned intelligent vehicle testing platform to the public. This innovative platform, developed by an automaker for the first time, is revolutionizing the vehicle testing and certification process.
The RoboTest Platform, which has been in operation since 2020, consists of two main components: the vehicle-side controller and the cloud-based control center. The vehicle-side controller incorporates driving robot systems, positioning and sensing equipment, and control modules. It is designed to be lightweight, standardized, and modular, allowing for easy installation and removal without altering the vehicle’s original structure. On the other hand, the cloud-based control center remotely configures testing protocols, monitors and manages test paths in real-time, and wirelessly transmits and analyzes test data to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
Compared to traditional human-driven testing methods, the RoboTest Platform’s robotic system offers superior precision and durability, significantly enhancing test quality and verification efficiency. By eliminating human errors and equipment malfunctions, it ensures precise and reliable results in endurance, wheel-turning durability, and constant-throttle tests. The robotic system also enhances safety in potentially hazardous tests like airbag calibration. Furthermore, the platform digitalizes vehicle testing protocols, acting as a digital testing assistant to support manual testing and boost accuracy and efficiency.
The RoboTest Platform has been extensively utilized in various test rigs and road test sites at the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center. It has demonstrated its versatility and reliability in endurance, noise, emissions, thermodynamics, and performance tests, as well as in road tests on Belgian roads, handling tracks (G0 level), and other challenging conditions. So far, it has covered an impressive 1.5 million kilometers in endurance tests alone, and it is poised to meet future testing requirements across a wide range of scenarios.
With its cutting-edge technology and proven track record, the RoboTest Platform represents a significant advancement in vehicle testing and certification. Its integration into the entire testing process is enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and safety, setting a new standard for intelligent vehicle testing platforms in the automotive industry.
