VI-grade, a provider of simulation-driven vehicle development tools, has upgraded the DiM250 driving simulator at Applus+ IDIADA’s Santa Oliva facility to extend its capabilities into high-frequency vibration and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) development.
The new system integrates VI-grade’s Hyperdock — a modular cockpit with calibrated shakers at key driver contact points — into the DiM250 simulator. This configuration enables engineers to assess vehicle handling, ride comfort, and NVH performance simultaneously using real-time acceleration feedback from high-fidelity vehicle models.
The updated simulator will be available to global OEMs at IDIADA’s proving ground in the second half of 2025.
The enhanced platform is particularly relevant to electric vehicle (EV) development, where quiet powertrains amplify the importance of secondary ride comfort and structural NVH characteristics. EVs also demand more efficient virtual workflows to reduce reliance on late-stage prototype testing.
The simulator incorporates high-definition, real-time multi-body vehicle models, high-frequency transfer function models, VI-grade’s NVH simulation software, and a real-time computing platform capable of supporting complex vehicle systems.
This integrated approach allows for early evaluation and optimization of long-lead components such as bushings, subframes, and body systems. By enabling accurate virtual assessment of comfort and performance, the system supports more efficient EV development cycles and helps reduce physical prototyping costs.
Filed Under: Technology News