ATO Testing: Validation of perception and automation solutions in simulation
Autonomous railway functions require reliable environmental perception to operate safely and efficiently. Modern sensor systems such as radar, LiDAR, cameras and positioning systems form the backbone of environmental perception – yet validating them under real-world conditions is challenging. Our RailSiTe® laboratory offers a controlled test environment in which you can test multi-sensor systems under reproducible conditions.
Why laboratory validation?
Unlike field trials, our setup enables:
- Reproducible scenarios: Identical conditions for repeatable and comparable tests
- Controlled variables: Weather, lighting, vegetation and obstacles are simulated precisely and realistically
- Cost-effectiveness: No operational disruptions or expensive test runs on the track
- Faster time-to-market: Shorter validation cycles thanks to parallel testing capabilities
- Replay-2-Sim: Feeding real-world data into the simulation to recreate critical situations.
- Realism: The simulation environment is validated using real test runs to ensure maximum realism.
Our test environment
We combine real-world and simulation components (hardware-in-the-loop) to create realistic test scenarios. The sensor systems are tested in various operating situations:
LIDAR sensors
- 3D point cloud processing and object classification
- Obstacle detection at different speeds
- Range and resolution assessment under varying conditions
Radar sensors
- Object detection in adverse weather conditions
- Speed measurement and tracking
- Differentiation between static and dynamic obstacles
Camera systems
- Image processing for track detection and classification
- Light sensitivity and dynamic range tests
- Scenarios at twilight, at night and in glare conditions
Positioning systems
- GNSS-based positioning and integrity checks
- Inertial navigation (INS) and sensor fusion
- Shading scenarios in tunnels and urban areas
Sensor fusion
- Temporal and spatial synchronisation of different sensor modalities
- Evaluation of overall performance (fused systems)
- Redundancy analyses and fail-operate scenarios
From concept to validation
We guide you through the entire validation process – from the initial concept through test case creation to the final test report.
Get in touch to find out how you can develop your innovations more quickly using our research findings.
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