To support its vehicle testing team in undertaking altitude testing, Ford has recruited two robot test drivers. Nicknamed by the team as Shelby and Miles, these robots help take the strain, especially on altitude tests where an essential requirement can be that the test is replicated ideally multiple times. Moreover, the simulated conditions will make even the most experienced human test drivers become tired or unwell.
Ford’s state-of-the-art Weather Factory has facilities to simulate a slew of tests that can be conducted even in extreme conditions. It has enabled engineers to test vehicles in a way that is less impacted by travel limitations than real-world testing.
Located in Cologne, Germany, the centre ensures that the drivers can rely on vehicles that have endured conditions typically found in the Sahara Desert, Siberia, and atop the tallest Alpine peaks.
For human drivers, wind tunnel testing – particularly at high altitudes – requires several safety protocols, including oxygen bottles, medical equipment and a paramedic on-site, while driver health is constantly monitored.
The robot test driver can operate at temperatures ranging from -40°C to +80°C and even at extreme altitudes. Besides, the test can be set up and programmed for different driving styles.
The robot test driver’s legs extend to the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals. While one arm is positioned to change gear, the other starts and stops the engine.
The American vehicle maker continues to conduct real-world testing in European locations and other places worldwide, including the Grossglockner mountain in Austria and the snowy Arjeplog region in Sweden.
Frank Seelig, Supervisor, Wind Tunnel Testing, Ford Europe, said these two new drivers are fantastic additions to the team, as they can take on the challenging endurance tests at high altitudes and in hot temperatures. “Once the robot is in the driver’s seat, we can run tests through the night without ever having to worry that the driver will need a sandwich or a bathroom break,” Seelig added.