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Ansys and Sony Semiconductor Solutions Team Up

In a landmark collaboration, Ansys and Sony Semiconductor Solutions have joined forces to advance the validation of perception systems in autonomous vehicles (AVs) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This partnership aims to provide original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers with robust tools to evaluate the performance of their technologies under a wide array of conditions.

Realistic Simulation for Enhanced Testing

The core of this collaboration revolves around Ansys' AVxcelerate Sensors software, which boasts the capability to simulate real-time multispectral camera environments to prepare for complex driving scenarios. By utilizing this platform in conjunction with Sony’s high dynamic range (HDR) image sensor technology, stakeholders can imitate diverse conditions such as low light, rain, fog, and snow, effectively testing the capabilities of AV systems.

Inherent in the development of AV and ADAS technologies is the reliance on a series of sensor-based perception systems. These systems use cameras, radars, and LiDAR technologies to gather data about the vehicle's surroundings. Consequently, accurately validating these systems is crucial; without it, OEMs face risks that could lead to safety issues, regulatory hurdles, and diminished consumer trust.

Accelerating Development and Ensuring Safety

The functionality provided by Ansys' AVxcelerate Sensors not only speeds up road testing but also lowers development costs. The ability to validate thousands of on-road driving hours within a virtual environment signifies a paradigm shift in the way manufacturers approach safety compliance. Real-time simulation feeds help users understand how their systems will perform, thereby enhancing the overall reliability of AV technologies.

Specifically, AVxcelerate creates an intricate virtual landscape in which light interacts with various materials and environmental conditions. This allows engineers to assess how camera lenses respond to these variations, refining the pixel outputs and processing functions inherent to Sony’s HDR imaging systems. The result is a testing framework that captures both pre-defined and real-time scenarios, enriching the data used for performance assessments.

Bridging Technology Gap

Tomoki Seita, general manager at Sony’s automotive division, underscores the significance of this partnership, stating, "Achieving full autonomy involves OEMs working with leading technology providers... This collaboration enables customers to verify their systems through accurate simulations." Indeed, the accessibility and scalability of the AVxcelerate platform ensure that it can be integrated successfully into various simulation toolchains, including both open-source and commercial solutions.

Shane Emswiler, senior vice president of products at Ansys, emphasized the primary goal of safety compliance, citing the complex array of scenarios that need to be tested. The multitude of conditions necessitated by real-world driving presents challenges, but Ansys’ multiphysics simulation capabilities seek to tackle these head-on.

Future of AV Technology at CES 2025

Ansys invites collaborators and innovators to explore their automotive solutions at CES 2025, set to take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Ansys aims to share insights into how their advanced simulation technologies are poised to transform the automotive industry. By delivering enhanced predictive accuracies, these innovations promise to redefine how AV systems are designed, tested, and validated.

In conclusion, the alignment of Ansys and Sony not only signifies a step forward in AV testing but also reflects an industry-wide commitment to achieving higher safety standards and developing technologies capable of meeting future transportation demands.