Challenges in building infrastructure for Renault Group's expansive driving simulation facility
Renault Group Unveils Groundbreaking Driving Simulator: The ROADS Project
In spring 2023, Renault Group introduced a remarkable innovation to the automotive industry - the ROADS (Real-time Off-Axis Driving Simulator) project. This cutting-edge simulator, designed to revolutionise vehicle testing and development, has faced numerous challenges along the way, but the team's determination and innovative solutions have proven unyielding.
The heart of the ROADS simulator is the steel gantry, a colossal component measuring 28 meters long by 4 meters wide and weighing an impressive 12 tons. Transporting this behemoth was no easy feat due to its dimensions, but the team persevered, demonstrating their steely resolve.
The design of the electrical equipment's location was another hurdle. Power cable length constraints necessitated a rethink, leading to power cables passing over a large glass window more than 6 meters high. This unconventional arrangement adds a unique aesthetic touch to the simulator.
The construction of the ROADS building was no ordinary task. It had to be built according to precise specifications, combining civil engineering specificities with installation and maintenance constraints. The primary concrete slab, for instance, had to be made rigid enough to ensure the simulator's dynamic performance. The exceptional structure supporting the slab is 1.5m thick and rests on a network of 55 1-meter-wide concrete pillars.
The slab forms an ultra-stable area measuring nearly 1400m2 on which the simulator can exert dynamic forces (lateral and longitudinal acceleration ranging up to 1G and displacement speed of 9 meters / sec). This sturdy base is essential for the simulator's operation, particularly during maximal diagonal acceleration, when it requires maximum electrical capacity.
The ROADS simulator is made of three components: the immersive dome, the hexapod, and the gantry. The dome, composed of a carbon fiber structure, arrived in separate pieces and was assembled, bolted, and glued together on site. This dome provides a realistic and immersive driving experience for the test subjects.
The simulator also boasts an innovative energy recovery system, similar to that used on electric vehicles. This system recovers energy lost during deceleration and braking and stores it in a supercapacitor, helping to reduce the simulator's energy consumption.
Serge Diop, a Renault Group engineer, compared 1G acceleration on the simulator to accelerating in a Megane R.S, underscoring the simulator's impressive capabilities. Despite the challenges faced, the ROADS project has proven to be a resounding success, setting a new standard for vehicle testing and development.
However, the name of the project leader of the ROADS simulator at Renault Group remains undisclosed. Nonetheless, the team's dedication and innovation have undoubtedly paved the way for a future of more advanced and efficient vehicle testing methods.
