World’s longest indoor autonomous vehicle test track now open
The automobile industry is undergoing change and tests and trials are being conducted more agilely. AstaZero is now opening the world’s longest indoor track for testing active safety systems and autonomous technologies for all types of vehicles. Vehicle operators are able to conduct tests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with reproducible light and surfaces.
AstaZero is the world’s first full-scale independent testing and demonstration facility for future road safety, and it is now being expanded to house the world’s longest indoor track: 700 metres long and 40 metres wide. AstaZero Dry Zone will be inaugurated on 28 April.
“AstaZero Dry Zone will play an important role in the transition of the automotive industry and will provide unique opportunities needed for research, development and validation of self-driving and connected vehicles as well as the surrounding infrastructure,” says Pia Sandvik, CEO of RISE.
The automobile industry conducts millions of tests every year. Reproducible environments are a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the accuracy of test results.
“The tests and trials conducted by vehicle operators require plenty of personnel and result in excessive travel,” says Peter Janevik, CEO of AstaZero. “In AstaZero Dry Zone, the development time can be streamlined and tests can be carried out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
AstaZero has customers across the globe. The industry has been asking for a long indoor track in Sweden for many years. And when the pandemic hit and the subsequent restrictions made it difficult for the industry to conduct important tests, the need only became greater, which is when plans for the new track accelerated.
“AstaZero’s facility provides a wide range of infrastructure that is important for the testing and validation of our technologies in safety, autonomous driving and connectivity, making it possible for us to perform testing in well-controlled environments all year round”, says Mats Moberg, Senior Vice President of R&D at Volvo Cars.
AstaZero Dry Zone can be compared to a brightly illuminated aircraft hangar. Tests can be carried out repeatedly in the same light conditions and on the same surface, no matter the time of day or season. Active safety systems and autonomous technologies comprise the main focus areas, but vehicle dynamics and brake performance will also be tested on the new track.
“We at Chalmers look forward to AstaZero Dry Zone. Here we will be able to conduct advanced research in, for example, autonomous driving, in facilities where we have full control over light and weather conditions. Autonomous driving is an area of great benefit and potential for the automotive industry and society as a whole. AstaZero will now be an even more competitive facility, giving Chalmers, together with the industry, excellent conditions for participating in large research projects”, says Stefan Bengtsson, President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology.
The Västra Götaland Region’s programme for sustainable transport is supporting the initiative with an amount of SEK 10 million.
Inauguration
Welcome to the live stream of the inauguration of AstaZero Dry Zone on April 28 at 11 am.
More about: AstaZero Dry Zone
Dimensions: 700 metres long, 40 metres wide (widening to 60 metres along a 140-metre mid-section), and with a height of 4.6 metres up to the ceiling. The first warranty customer will be Volvo Cars.
More about: AstaZero
AstaZero is a leading test facility for the future autonomous transport system. Based in Hällered outside Borås, Sweden, and with owners such as RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and Chalmers University of Technology, AstaZero is uniquely positioned to take an active role in the transformation of society. The test facility provides unique opportunities needed for research, development and validation of self-driving and connected vehicles as well as the surrounding infrastructure.
AstaZero was inaugurated in 2014. Industrial partners who make frequent use of the facility include Volvo Cars, AB Volvo, Scania and Veoneer. AstaZero also has several international customers. Turnover has more than doubled since 2015 and currently amounts to approximately SEK 120 million.
For further information, please contact
Peter Janevik, CEO AstaZero, +46 10 516 6143, peter.janevik@astazero.com
Johanna Wilde
Communications officer
+46-31-772 2029
johanna.wilde@chalmers.se
________________
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture.
With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.The EU’s biggest research initiative – the Graphene Flagship – is coordinated by Chalmers. We are also leading the development of a Swedish quantum computer.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
Tags:
