Testing Challenges in the Automotive Industry

Heavy-duty diesel engines must meet stringent EPA and CARB emissions standards, requiring precise measurement and control of NOx, CO₂, and particulates.

Automotive OEMs face increasing pressure to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency, requiring extensive powertrain and aftertreatment testing.

The shift toward electrification demands new capabilities for battery, inverter, e-motor, and energy management system validation.

Automotive control systems such as ADAS, ECUs, and VCU software must be tested under real-time simulated conditions for safety and performance.

Testing complexity increases as OEMs integrate hybrid systems, requiring synchronization of combustion, electric, and regenerative subsystems.

Test cell automation, data analysis, and lab management are critical to minimizing time-to-market in highly competitive global markets.

Applications That Require Testing in the Automotive Industry

Engine performance and emissions testing ensures compliance with regulatory standards across load conditions and speeds.

Powertrain testing evaluates internal combustion engine output, torque delivery, and emissions under varying conditions.

Emissions testing ensures that vehicles meet local and global standards, including EPA, CARB, and Euro 6.

Battery and electric motor testing verifies range, charging performance, cooling strategies, and energy regeneration in electric vehicles.

ECU and VCU software validation ensures that control strategies function safely and efficiently through simulation and real-world scenarios.

Combustion analysis measures in-cylinder pressure and heat release to optimize ICE performance and reduce knock and emissions.

Vehicle system integration testing ensures that subsystems such as HVAC, steering, and brake-by-wire perform correctly under load.

Rapid prototyping allows developers to test and refine embedded control systems before final ECU hardware is available.

A&D Services & Solutions for the Automotive Industry

A&D provides consulting for automotive OEMs to assess current test systems and identify solutions that improve test efficiency and data quality.

iTest automates test sequences and provides high-speed, real-time data acquisition for engine, powertrain, and hybrid system testing.

Orion delivers powerful calibration capabilities for automotive engine, motor, and hybrid system control strategies.

Phoenix offers precision combustion analysis, enabling OEMs to fine-tune internal combustion engines for performance and emissions.

Helios HILS supports hardware-in-the-loop testing for ADAS, powertrain, and VCU software in simulated driving scenarios.

ADX enables portable, real-time control and simulation for in-vehicle or testbed-based development of automotive systems.

Selene accelerates rapid prototyping of automotive ECU software by allowing fast iterations with simulated environments.

LabWorX optimizes test lab management for OEMs by tracking assets, scheduling test cells, and analyzing results across projects.

Project management services keep test system deployment for OEM labs aligned with timelines, milestones, and budgetary goals.

A&D assists automotive OEMs with equipment procurement by recommending and sourcing best-fit instrumentation and test hardware.

Installation and commissioning teams ensure test systems are correctly deployed and verified to meet automotive specifications.

Service plans offer flexible options for ongoing system maintenance, updates, and spare parts support in high-use environments.

A&D provides training to help OEM engineers and technicians operate software platforms like iTest, Orion, and LabWorX with confidence.

Technical support includes helpdesk access, remote troubleshooting, field service, and access to expert engineers.

Resident Engineers from A&D can be placed onsite at automotive OEM facilities to support daily testing activities and system optimization.