TOYO and Iwane Unveil Augmented Reality Feature for the Real Video Drive Player
New Capability Provides a More Realistic Driving Simulation Environment
and Supports the Development Efforts of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Electric Cars, and Autonomous Vehicles
Tokyo, Japan, August 24, 2021 – TOYO Corporation has added an augmented reality (AR) feature to the Real Video Drive Player (RVDP), a driving simulator co-developed with Iwane Laboratories. The RVDP software enables virtual driving, using real previously recorded footage. AR is a technology that is employed to insert digital objects into RVDP. The enhanced RVDP also supports multiple drivers operating in the same simulation space. With these new capabilities, the RVDP continues to provide enhanced test and simulation scenarios beyond what is currently commercially available.
AR allows for the addition of a digital pedestrian into a street video scene previously recorded
In driving simulations, the presentation of virtual environments that are an accurate representation of real-world environments is ideal when performing vehicle design and testing. This is true with all vehicles, including electric vehicles (EV), ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), and autonomous vehicles. Driving simulators also need to support the concepts of immersion and realism as they aid engineers to evaluate and tune the vehicle design. Many driving simulation spaces are built and altered using Computer Graphics (CG). Because of the processing requirements, these tasks, whether the creation of a new space or modification of an existing one, can be resource and time-intensive, slowing down design and development cycles.
Multiple drivers can co-exist in the same simulation space.
(The left image is the view from the driver in the white car, the right image is the view seen from the driver in the yellow car)
The Real Video Drive Player is a driving simulator that uses real video footage that was previously shot and recorded with a specialized 360° camera. Vehicle speed and steering angle information are synchronized and saved with the video. Since actual videos and images are used instead of CG, engineers can evaluate and adjust vehicle design behavior with a high degree of immersion. In addition, simulation spaces are created using previously recorded footage and after several days of processing, it is ready to be used. The RVDP integrates with vehicle motion simulators such as CarSim and CarMaker. CarSim is developed by Mechanical Simulation of the United States, while CarMaker is developed by IPG Automotive of Germany. Both simulate the performance of passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.
The RVDP that was first released in November 2018 only utilized static footage, so test scenarios were not extendable like with CG. With the new release, the RVDP allows multiple drivers to co-exist in the same simulation space. Drive engineers can maneuver a vehicle near another one that is under test. They can also create scenarios such as passing a vehicle or responding to a vehicle ahead that is suddenly engaging its brakes without the need for programming.
The RVDP’s AR feature allows the insertion of digital moving objects such as vehicles and pedestrians into the previously recorded video footage. For example, engineers can design scenarios where a pedestrian runs out into an intersection or a vehicle suddenly cuts into a lane. Engineers can develop, insert and control 3D models using standard modeling software. The enhanced version RVDP also supports the verification tests of EuroNCAP and ADAS. EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) is a car safety performance assessment in Europe.
The key features of the Real Video Drive Player include:
・ Utilizes real video footages
・ Incorporates anti-shake camera technology
・ Synchronizes video footages with vehicle speed
・ Changes the viewpoint of drivers
・ Reproduces vehicle movement and view changes along with steering wheel operation
・ Reproduces different paths caused by lane changes or other vehicle movements
・ Integrates with advanced vehicle modeling software
・ Links with advanced GPS (GNSS)
・ Supports multiple drivers in the same simulation space
・ Deploy any 3D objects
The new RVDP is now shipping. Please contact TOYO or your sales representative if you would like to see a demo or if you need more information.
About Iwane Laboratories, Ltd.
Since its foundation in 1979, Iwane has kept developing the latest image processing technology with the concept “We realize we are loved by the earth, and we love the earth.” Especially, its 3D GIS (Geographic Information System) is widely used in the field of road traffic such as geography and road surface and gains an excellent reputation globally. The patented CV (camera vector) technology, which converts 2D Spherical video into 3D supports the system and enables the acquisition of 3D road information in a short time for the first time in the world. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.iwane.com/eng.
About TOYO Corporation’s Automotive Business
Focusing on advanced automotive technological areas, TOYO has been strengthening its sales force and sharing its technical know-how among various teams since 2018. There have been growing needs for EMC testing in the automotive space with the increased use of electronics in automobiles and the active development of ADAS and autonomous driving technologies. With 40 plus years of experience in EMC testing, a large number of installations for manufacturers and EMC test service providers, and consultation by our EMC engineers, many of which are iNARTE-certified, TOYO will continue to propose its own EMC test system for in-vehicle equipment that best suits the customer’s needs and contribute to the improvement of car safety. iNARTE-certified is a global technical certification created by iNARTE (The International Association for Radio, Telecommunications, and Electromagnetics), a US non-profit organization, to recognize the skills of EMC engineers. For more information, please visit the company’s US website at www.toyotechus.com.
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