Driving Simulator for HMI development and validation: definition of a dedicated approach and test protocol

This work is a technical feasibility study for a novel and alternative process in automotive Human Machine Interface (HMI) development and validation. The main goal is to integrate the standard approach for concept design and partially substitute the standard physical approach for validation, both using an integrated and fully controllable virtual workflow provided by the Driving Simulation. In this experience I will focus on an Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) User Interface (UI), that is the graphic interface where relevant driving and ADAS information and warnings are shown. I will explore the basics of a Static Driving Simulator from the refurbishment to the full application and usage, to stimulate specific scenarios. The focus will be on simulations that are not possible to recreate in real life for physical testing because they are too dangerous,i.e. the FCW/AEB (Forward Collision Warning / Autonomous Emergency Braking) warning and mitigation validation. Before my activity, simulation has been already used as a support to the HMI concepts development, but it was only as multidisciplinary internal cooperation with few standards available and not as a truly integrated and autonomous workflow. Given this background and since Maserati decided to invest in a dedicated environment, the first step of my activity focused on giving a structure to the functional part and the second step concentrated on the operational part linked to the creation of validation test protocols. All the activities related to this study have been entirely done at Maserati Innovation Lab Headquarters during my Master's internship in Modena.