Development of a Dynamic Crash Target for ADAS and Safety Function Evaluation and Validation

The advancing integration of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and the increasingly complex E/E architecture across all vehicle classes require a reliable and safe method for the assessment, evaluation and validation of said systems. At the Institute of Automotive Engineering (IAE), a test tool that functions as a full-size vehicle replacement has been developed allowing the full scope of tests to be performed while minimizing the risk to the test personal and vehicles involved. The test tool consists of three separate modules: a driving module, a soft crash target carrier and the soft crash target itself. The soft crash target carrier holding the soft crash target is connected to the driving module via detachable links. Considering a collision scenario as use case, the driving module separates from the soft crash target carrier just moments before a collision is imminent, performs evasive manoeuvres and thus leaves the possibly harmful collision area. The soft crash target is quickly exchanged according to the use case under consideration and is visible to common sensor technologies (radar, lidar, camera etc.). The developed test tool can furthermore be used for controllability studies according to ISO 26262 in cases where a second vehicle or collision partner is necessary.