ATS to Bring India’s First Full-Scale Physical Driving Simulator

Indian automotive OEMs developing new platforms, ADAS features, and next-generation chassis systems have traditionally relied on high-fidelity physical driving simulators in Europe. Engineering teams compress months of validation into short overseas test windows, an expensive and inflexible model that is increasingly misaligned with shrinking development cycles.

Ramanathan Srinivasan, Managing Director of Automotive Test Systems, said ATS is preparing to bring a full-scale physical driving simulator to India in collaboration with a government testing agency. The system, typically costing over ₹40 crore, including duties and integration, combines a real vehicle cockpit, a multi-axis motion platform, and immersive visuals to replicate real-world vehicle behaviour.

“Today, OEMs go to Europe and rent these systems for limited durations. If the same capability is available here, it changes how development timelines and costs are planned,” Srinivasan said.

With vehicle development cycles shrinking to nearly 18–24 months, OEMs are front-loading validation through software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and human-in-the-loop testing. Simulation enables thousands of ADAS edge cases, particularly relevant for complex Indian road conditions, to be evaluated safely before physical prototypes are built.

Despite greater digitalisation, demand for physical testing is rising. Srinivasan said ATS’s lab testing business has grown 100 percent in the past year and is booked three months in advance. Internal combustion engine testing has doubled due to hybridisation and ethanol blends, while EV testing has grown by 50 percent.

“If we get this right, it can save lives,” he said, referring to India’s high road fatality numbers.

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