Glass Cockpit Simulators - Tools for IT-based Car Systems Design and Evaluation

The Linkoping University/Institute of Technology uses a simulator platform (A-Sim) for human-in-the-loop simulations based on the experiences from the aviation area and its glass cockpit concept. Every new commercial and military aircraft have this concept implemented and it refers not only to electronic displays instead of “iron instruments,” but also to the underlying technology, which makes flexible functionality and interface solutions possible. This concept also opens for new solutions during the aircraft life cycle since the main part of the complete system is computer-based. In this the aircraft manufacturer delivers new software editions in a similar way that the authors can experience in the personal computer area. The same glass cockpit philosophy could be used in the driving simulator area as it has been used in flight simulators in the aerospace industry in order to support simulator-based design processes. The authors have implemented this concept at Linkoping University by the A-Sim software and supporting hardware solutions in the simulator site. A corresponding evolution in the ground vehicle area is prevalent today. The authors have not seen that much yet for the cockpit part but the underlying functionality is more and more software-based. Examples of evolving car systems, which the authors refer to, are all kinds of X-by-wire systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS). This paper presents two empirical studies for the ADAS class carried out in the simulator, Adaptive Cruise Control and Night Vision. Moreover, the paper presents an architectural framework for such systems, which could be realized in real vehicles or in simulator environments, and the paper also briefly presents the A0Sim system.