Gaming Technology for Autonomous Vehicles at Porsche?

Virtual highway – A8 autobahn near Stuttgart Airport in a Game Engine simulation.

Porsche Engineering is using software from the gaming industry to develop so-called “intelligent vehicles” of the future. Game Engines generate photo-realistic images of various quality and help the physically correct behavior of objects in computer and video games. Among other functions, Porsche Engineering is now using these software packages for the virtual development and testing of highly automated driving functions. It’s a common practice at other automakers, too.

In theory, it shortens development times, saves costs and makes mobility safer, according to Porsche. Furthermore, in the nascent Porsche Car Configurator, Game Engines are intended to help the customer in the configuration of her vehicle in retail. In the future, customers in Porsche Centers will see an “almost photo-realistic, three-dimensional simulation of their configured vehicle” via a gaming PC with connected VR glasses.

“The algorithms* of driver assistance systems require a lot of training and validation – and yet not every event that needs to be tested occurs during real test drive,” observes Dirk Lappe, CTO of Porsche Engineering. “ Drives simulated with the help of Game Engines have the advantage that they can be repeated as often as required and can be controlled down to the smallest detail. In addition to real and virtual tests, Porsche Engineering also implements mixed forms: a real vehicle can react to virtual objects, for example.”

“The use of Game Engines extends beyond the training of driver assistance systems: in vehicle design, they are used to reduce the number of real prototypes and thus save time and costs. For this purpose, Porsche Engineering uses the Visual Engineering Tool developed in-house, which can be used on the basis of CAD data and augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) goggles to clarify questions about the optimal arrangement of components, for example, quickly and cost-effectively,” says Lappe.

“Software developers with a gaming background are shaping the future of mobility, as are mechanical engineers and AI experts,” Lappe continues. “The intelligent and connected vehicle is created by combining world-class automotive expertise with software expertise. We’re car geeks who love to program at the same time.”

Game Engines go  beyond the training of driver assistance systems. During vehicle design, they are used to reduce the number of real prototypes and thereby save time and costs. For this purpose, Porsche Engineering uses the Visual Engineering Tool developed in-house, which can be used on the basis of CAD data and augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) goggles to clarify questions about the optimal arrangement of components, for example, quickly and cost-effectively.

Algorithms*

In mathematics, artificial intelligence and computer science applications, an algorithm is a finite sequence of computer-performed instructions. They are used to solve problems or to perform a computation. Algorithms, when they are functioning correctly, are clear-cut and are used as specifications for correctly performing calculations, data processing, automated reasoning, and increasingly other computerized tasks. One of their great weaknesses is chaos, vague situations or unanticipated complications or situations.  – Autocrat.