Expertise 

Safety & Security

The EU “Vision Zero” defines the goal of nearly eliminating all fatal road accidents in the European traffic system by the year 2050. However, at the moment, the automotive industry is facing new challenges due to unprecedented technological advancements: automated driving, connected cars and the Internet of Things are giving rise to new demands for safety and security. The researchers at VIRTUAL VEHICLE are working on novel solutions to meet such challenges, particularly by taking into account both trustability and social acceptance in order to maximise market uptake.

Market Challenge

The ambitious goal of zero fatalities in road transport requires developing comprehensive, cooperative safety systems, data security and incorporating information from all traffic participants (vehicles, occupants, VRUs) as well as infrastructure. Together with new technologies (for example ADAS, automated driving functions and materials), new safety challenges will arise that call for new paths in development and testing.

Building trust will be an anchor for vehicle manufactures and they need to implement a set of forward-looking technology-based, human-centered solutions as the connected vehicle universe expands. These include deploying:

• Tackling the increased complexity of safety systems and relevant traffic scenarios
• Virtualization and virtual approval for a greater use of scenario-based schemes and of simulation to provide a broader and more robust assessment of safety systems
• Comprehensively trustable solutions for the future mobile Internet of Things
• Secure token services with robust private-key encryption to secure data and vehicles each time access or action is required
• Solutions with cost-effective scalability, optimal security and design for rapid implementation
• Internationally accepted definitions for security, privacy and dependability metrics

Our Expertise

• Close interaction between functional “safety” and “security” to provide safe solutions for e.g. future active safety systems, easy-to-use privacy control by end user,…
• Creating of joint architectures, as well as co-designing and co-developing components and systems
• Mixed validation methods (virtual – hybrid – real testing)
• Integrated failure assessment in crash
• Fracture mechanics, joining technologies & welding processes
• High voltage safety in crash and Safety & security by design
• Incorporate development taking into account not only expertise in technology, but also in human sciences (Human body models, perception & behavioural models,…)
• Trusted systems and related development methodologies with respect to security, privacy, safety, availability, acceptability, virtual functional safety, etc.,
•  Comprehensive cross-domain system simulation (vehicle-driver-infrastructure / communication & interaction / environment / traffic)

Main Research Topics

• Cooperative Integrated Safety by receiving data and Information from other traffic participants and Infrastructure
• Virtually assess the field effectiveness of such systems and optimization including determination of the associated impacts of systems on vehicle design
• Multi-level Protection and Human Acceptability to create a trusted system development framework
• CaE-driven development of new vehicle and production designs
• Secure and Dependable EE Systems – “Safety by design”, “Security by design” to fulfil all requirements for active safety systems and automated driving
• Investigation of secure communication schemes for data exchange
• Solutions with cost-effective scalability, optimal security and design for rapid implementation
• Internationally accepted definitions for security, privacy and dependability metrics

Benefits

Fostering both user and societal acceptance and trust will be a crucial competitive advantage for all solutions in future markets. Highly connected vehicles and related technologies such as advanced driving assistance systems are driving next generation mobility. The protection of both people and environment, requires the use of a comprehensive human-centered approach as well as human system interaction in the early development process.

• Effectiveness assessment of active, passive and integrated occupant and VRU safety systems with the help of a patented simulation method
• Highest occupant protection and human acceptability by considering human-centered vehicle design as well as comfortable and affordable usage
• Long-term safety over the whole vehicle lifetime due to new online and predictive maintenance methods
• Cost-efficient practical solutions for wireless, end-to-end secure, trustable connectivity
• Interoperability in the automotive, aeronautics, health, building & smart infrastructure and rail industry
• Defense against malware and brand damage by safeguarding against unwanted sophisticated attacks, unauthorized modifications to vehicle performance and reputational damage
• Opportunities for improved customer service and enhanced driver satisfaction through the receipt of software and firmware updates securely over the air (OTA)
• Comparability of different security solutions in terms of security and privacy

Efficient collaboration is our key for innovation!

VIRTUAL VEHICLE offers different cooperation models tailored to the specific needs of its leading international industry and research partners to run R&D projects.