Big data analytics platform from AVL and NorCom for the test region ALP.Lab
04.10.2019
With AVL List and NorCom Information Technology, two leading industry experts have bundled their competencies with the aim of developing tailor-made big data solutions for the automotive industry as part of a strategic cooperation. The combination of the respective strengths resulted in the "ADAS / AD Data & Analytics Platform", which is being used for the first time in the Austrian test region ALP.Lab.
The testing of autonomous driving functions requires the analysis of complex environmental data. A modern analysis platform has to face these and other big data challenges. The DaSense platform from NorCom is the software tool of choice in AVL's data intelligence portfolio.
A Python extension is of particular importance as a convenient programming interface: It abstracts the big data technologies required for the parallelization of computing tasks and enables the user to write simple sequential code. In this way, the scalability of the analyzes can be ensured without the need for the domain experts to build up special big data know-how.
To represent the environment model, the platform uses the object-oriented description language "Open Simulation Interface" (OSI) in order to reduce the complexity of the description of the environment model and to increase the compatibility of the platform with the sensors of different manufacturers.
A common task that can be processed in a highly scalable way is finding defined scenarios in a large amount of data. If, for example, a vehicle shows anomalies in a certain situation, then it can be of great interest to analyze how the vehicle has already behaved in similar situations in the past. To do this, the relevant scenarios must first be found. However, with the many kilometers driven by a large fleet, this is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Dr. Jost Bernasch, Managing Director of ALP.Lab GmbH: “As an Austrian test region for automated driving, ALP.Lab has a modular, rule-controlled workflow and analysis tool with which comprehensive ADAS / AD tests and validations of driving functions can be carried out on public roads and providing grounds can be. Extensive vehicle, sensor and infrastructure data are collected, merged, analyzed and processed further. The AVL data platform with the integrated DaSense analysis tool is an essential part of the processing of very large amounts of data that arise during testing, in order to be able to handle the amounts of data efficiently. "
In the test region ALP.Lab, AVL, Magna, Virtual Vehicle, Joanneum Research and TU Graz are bundling their testing activities for automated driving in Styria and across borders with Hungary. The test region includes over 400 km of motorways, public roads and closed test areas.
NorCom Information Technology GmbH & Co KGaA develops and implements big data solutions for international companies. NorCom supports customers in processing and analyzing their data in data centers distributed around the world with the help of modern tools in a productive environment.
AVL is the world's largest independent company for the development, simulation and testing of drive systems (hybrid, combustion engines, transmissions, electric motors, batteries and software) for cars, commercial vehicles and large engines. AVL employs over 10,400 people worldwide. In 2018 sales amounted to 1.75 billion euros.