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Computer modelling, virtual prototyping and simulation is widely used in the automotive industry to optimize the development process. While the use of CAE is widespread, on its own it lacks the ability to provide observable acoustics or tactile vibrations for decision makers to assess, and hence optimize the customer experience. Subjective assessment using Driver-in-Loop simulators to experience data has been shown to improve the quality of vehicles and reduce development time and uncertainty. Efficient development processes require a seamless interface from detailed CAE simulation to subjective evaluations suitable for high level decision makers. In the context of perceived vehicle vibration, the need for a bridge between complex CAE data and realistic subjective evaluation of tactile response is most compelling. A suite of VI-grade noise and vibration simulators have been developed to meet this challenge.

Experiencing the results of virtual NVH analysis in an immersive physical simulation is the only accurate method of developing vehicle, system or component targets and designs. This paper describes an engineering approach specifically created to enable physical interaction with test, CAE and hybrid NVH models, at every stage in the vehicle design process from concept to full detail. It explains the need for sound and vibration decomposition and synthesis, and interactive sound and vibration replay. Implementation of this process has led to the development of engineering tools that enable Interactive NVH Simulation. The paper also describes the practical use an engineer can make of a ‘rapid prototyping’ desktop NVH simulator in the design process. A full scale NVH Simulator is then used to allow evaluation of final design alternatives under realistic driving conditions by non-specialists (i.e. the customer) as well as specialists.

In a traditional NVH process it is not possible to experience the NVH of a new vehicle until physical prototypes have been built. An interactive NVH Simulator provides a means of evaluating the binaural sound and tactile point vibrations obtained from measurements, or CAE predictions, or a combination of both, much earlier in the design cycle. This paper describes how interactive evaluations are carried out in an NVH Simulator, illustrated by two recent applications of using it early in a new vehicle programme. In both examples engineers, attribute leaders and managers, who were not NVH experts, could be confidently involved in deciding which were the most appropriate target sounds, or which was the most cost effective design.

As pressures mount to remove physical prototyping from the vehicle development process, there is a growing need for subjective evaluations of virtual prototypes. Virtually assessing NVH vehicle targets and using driving simulators to make those early critical design decisions is becoming a larger part of the NVH engineering process. Today this is only possible if you put a driving simulator at the center of your development process. Being able to drive and evaluate both test and simulation results simultaneously in a simulator allows engineering teams to leverage a hybrid engineering approach. By starting with measured on-road data from a physical vehicle, engineers can build virtual prototypes. By using this hybrid engineering process to incorporate CAE and test data together an engineer can create a virtual vehicle model with the desired NVH characteristics as a physical vehicle.