Chevy Trax in Simulated Crashes to Make it Safer

5458 Views 11 Replies 3 Participants Last post by TrainTrax, Apr 30, 2015

TrainTrax

Discussion Starter · Apr 20, 2015

Found this article on WIRED where they talk about how the Chevy Trax was put through computer simulated crashes to make it safer.

The general idea is that real life crash simulations are very costly and time-consuming. Doing these crash simulations on a computer is cheaper and faster.

GM can crash up to 100 versions of a model during its design in order to test and refine the design.

“The technology continues to get more advanced, and capabilities continue to expand,” says Ken Bonello, senior manager of safety computer-aided engineering at GM. “We’re able to simulate a crash test with more accuracy,” and, because of advances in computer processing, do it much faster.

The technology has really progressed. Apparently 5 years ago simulations could handle 2 million elements, but now that number has increased to 7 million. Simulations can now account for every piece of plastic and metal in the car, as well as every bone in the human body.

Real world simulations aren't going anywhere though. They are needed to show customers what will happen in the event of a crash and will also be used to learn more about new materials and how they behave so that computer simulations can be updated accordingly.

http://www.wired.com/2015/04/gms-using-simulated-crashes-build-safer-cars/

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James

· #2 · Apr 20, 2015

The automotive industry is even using this tech when it comes to working on vehicles using tech similar to Google Glass, tech that'll help in knowing what parts to replace in an accident.

BIG industry changes.

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TrainTrax

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 22, 2015

So mechanics put on Google Glass type goggles, and then take a look at the car and it highlights the parts that are in need of replacement or repair?

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James

· #4 · Apr 22, 2015

TrainTrax said:
So mechanics put on Google Glass type goggles, and then take a look at the car and it highlights the parts that are in need of replacement or repair?

Yeah that's what I saw previewed in a video, they call it augmented reality.

It's great as not always will the service manual provided from the car maker will give the best directions on how to go about a fix, still it sets a solid foundation.

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TrainTrax

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 23, 2015

James said:
Yeah that's what I saw previewed in a video, they call it augmented reality.

It's great as not always will the service manual provided from the car maker will give the best directions on how to go about a fix, still it sets a solid foundation.

It sounds pretty cool, and I'd be interested to see an example of how it works. I'd like to see how it would be more beneficial than the regular maintenance or repair scheme.

The future. Cool.

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J.G

· #6 · Apr 23, 2015

sorry nothing compares to REAL LIVE TESTING. Beautiful example. Suzuki has returned to motogp, their engine has been through **** and back on the dyno to suss out reliability. First race and they lunched three motors, why? becuase simulated testing never allowed them to observe real world complexities. key factor in simulations are assumptions about conditions and behaviour. ASSUME (ASS U ME), sorry GM, do it properly before i decide to stick my family in there...

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James

· #7 · Apr 24, 2015

TrainTrax said:
It sounds pretty cool, and I'd be interested to see an example of how it works. I'd like to see how it would be more beneficial than the regular maintenance or repair scheme.

The future. Cool.

The difference, you're basically going from looking at a manual and/or going off of training to having a simulation walk you through it step by step. BIG difference.

Removes a lot of guess work for mechanics.

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TrainTrax

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 28, 2015

So I bet that would reduce the time that it takes to repair each vehicle by quite a bit. They would be able to repair more vehicles faster, but some might not like that since they are paid hourly.

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James

· #9 · Apr 28, 2015

Tech's that get paid by the hour might like it because there's less thinking and more doing, less time wasted, more units racked up. Last thing they want is to spend more time than paid for on a job.

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TrainTrax

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 29, 2015

James said:
Tech's that get paid by the hour might like it because there's less thinking and more doing, less time wasted, more units racked up. Last thing they want is to spend more time than paid for on a job.

Yea I guess they give quotes. And ultimately the VR glasses only help diagnose the problem not fix it, so they may be able to just give more accurate estimates for the time it will take fix.

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James

· #11 · Apr 29, 2015

I've seen a video where it's demonstrating to a tech how to remove parts, which is a clear sign its also geared towards helping techs.
Great for the service industry. Even on the consumers end

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TrainTrax

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 30, 2015

So it could also be a tool for home mechanics. A way to guide people through fixing their own cars. But i think that car companies are trying to make it illegal to do any work on your own car, so maybe not.

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