Humanetics, a frontrunner in automotive testing solutions, has introduced its latest innovation in active safety: the DrivingRobot modular (DRm). This cutting-edge driving robot is engineered to optimize testing across a variety of vehicle categories, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, vans, buses, and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The DRm aims to transform Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and vehicle testing, providing precision, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and testing facilities.
As the automotive sector increasingly emphasizes HGV safety, testing for trucks has become a crucial focus due to the significant risks posed by heavy vehicles in road accidents. Both Euro NCAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have established test protocols aimed at enhancing commercial vehicle safety, underscoring the need for safer vehicles and sustainable mobility solutions.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s NHTSA finalized a new safety regulation mandating that automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, be standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029. Concurrently, Euro NCAP is formulating testing protocols for heavy-duty trucks, with the initial results anticipated in the winter of 2024-2025.
The DRm’s modular architecture is specifically designed to address the rising demands for ADAS testing, particularly for heavy trucks under the rigorous Truck Safety Protocols. Its high torque and precise control capabilities make it well-suited for replicating real-world driving scenarios, including emergency maneuvers and challenging road conditions.
Prioritizing customer requirements, the DRm presents a flexible and adaptable solution for diverse vehicle testing needs. Beyond its established compact model, which integrates all actuators into a single unit, the newly launched modular version separates the steering and pedal robots. This allows it to accommodate steering wheels ranging from 30 cm to 50 cm in diameter, thus fitting a broader array of vehicle geometries.
This modularity effectively addresses the challenge of testing a wide spectrum of vehicles—from passenger cars and delivery vans to buses and heavy-duty trucks—using a single system. The DRm’s focus on modularity ensures easy adaptation to various vehicle sizes and shapes, maximizing flexibility for testing facilities.
Its components, including the SteeringRobot modular (SRm), PedalRobot modular (PRm™), and Steering Wheel Adapter, can be deployed individually or as complete systems—specifically, the DRm150™ for HGVs and the upcoming DRm60™ for passenger vehicles.
“We developed the DRm to be a game-changer in vehicle testing,” states Mark Westen, President of Humanetics Safety. “Its modular design offers unmatched flexibility for ADAS testing across multiple vehicle types, leading to faster test preparations and, ultimately, safer roads as we strive toward the Vision Zero goal of eliminating road fatalities.”
What distinguishes the DRm in the market is its exceptional combination of versatility and user-friendliness. From the outset, the objective was to create a system capable of seamlessly accommodating both passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks without compromising comfort or performance. Moreover, the system’s efficient installation process features the industry’s first tool-free mounting steering robot and a pedal robot requiring only a single tool, making it a standout choice for OEMs and testing facilities alike.
