Virtual Reality-Based Driving Simulator for Testing Innovative Hybrid Automotive Powertrains

In the field of automotive engineering, the testing procedure of any powertrain involves a chassis dynamometer and techniques to test the performance of the powertrain. These traditional testing procedures lack in understanding the powertrain performances for different terrains. To bridge this, OEM used to test their new powertrain by on-road testing. This conventional method for testing requires more amount of time to test, validate, and re-design, and to complete the product development cycle. This paper provides a solution to the abovementioned problem by designing a virtual reality-based driving simulator (VRDS) which can wirelessly control a drive train system of a vehicle. This study has designed and enhanced a virtual and imaginary simulated reality of various tracks where the designed car can run in the required setting of the environment. The interaction between the car and the test bed is in terms of acceleration, clutch, gear position, and brake. In this study, we have tested and analyzed the performance of the hybrid engine using this real-time wireless VRDS-generated data.