MAHA and dSPACE are working on a solution for the periodic technical inspection (PTI) of automated and autonomous vehicles. The aim is to develop a robust and cost-efficient vehicle-in-the-loop (VIL) test system for test organizations and workshops that can be used to test ADAS/AD sensors and functions easily and reliably. The CEOs Dr. Peter Geigle (MAHA) and Dr. Carsten Hoff (dSPACE) explain the innovative concept and its many possibilities.
Dr. Geigle, your company equips PTI test organizations and workshops with tailor-made test systems. How do automated and autonomous vehicles affect the test requirements?
Dr. Geigle: Studies such as the DEKRA study from 2023 show the following: Vehicles with functioning lane departure warning systems reduce the risk of accidents in curves by up to 30%. At the same time, analyses by KÜS and TÜV show that minor defects in ADAS/AD sensors occur in up to 15% of vehicles. These figures underscore the need for regular system audits. The use of MAHA and dSPACE technologies in the PTI process will play a central role – not only for greater road safety, but also for sustainable consumer confidence in modern automotive technology.
How is the regulatory framework for the PTI of ADAS/AD developing?
Dr. Hoff: The legal basis for the use of driver assistance systems is becoming increasingly concrete. A current example is Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, which requires the standard installation of an autonomous emergency braking system for all new vehicles since July 2024. Highly automated driving (level 3) is now also permitted on freeways in several countries.
Dr. Geigle: This leads to the logical consequence of systematically testing assistance systems as part of the PTI in the future. The international principles for these tests are being developed by the UNECE, among others. The goal is to create uniform global calibration and testing standards for ADAS – for greater technical consistency and global road safety.
What challenges need to be solved for the ADAS/AD PTI?
Dr. Geigle: Conventional VIL test benches, such as those used today in vehicle development or final series inspection, are usually not economically and technically feasible for test centers – due to high investment costs, sometimes in the seven-figure range, high energy requirements, and long setup times, especially when integrating sensor stimulation systems.
The MAHA Adaptive System Tester (MAST) offers an innovative approach for this: a practical, modular system for testing the effectiveness of ADAS and AD functions that can be used both in workshops and for the PTI. Tests can be carried out in less than five minutes, and the combination with the dSPACE simulation platform enables precise, realistic system testing for the lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous emergency braking system.
Dr. Hoff: With VERIDRIVE, dSPACE provides a proven solution for vehicle-in-the-loop testing. The system enables the synchronous over-the-air stimulation of all relevant sensors – such as radar and camera – under defined, reproducible conditions. The basis is a driving scenario simulation that is executed by vehicle and environment models on a real-time computer.
We are currently developing a specially optimized, cost-efficient, and robust version of VERIDRIVE for PTI use that meets the requirements of test centers and workshops. Thanks to the tight integration into MAHA's system architecture, users retain their familiar user interfaces that are tailored to their needs.
What opportunities arise from the collaboration between dSPACE and MAHA?
Dr. Geigle: The partnership combines the expertise of two industry leaders. The result is an economical, practical solution for testing the effectiveness of ADAS/AD systems in the PTI environment – developed by MAHA as a recognized specialist for vehicle testing, diagnostics, and lifting technology and by dSPACE as a technology leader in the field of simulation and validation. The tight system coupling guarantees a robust and future-proof testing platform for global use.
Why are you launching this system on the market now?
Dr. Hoff: Modern driver assistance systems are not only a promise of quality when buying a new car, but must also prove their safety and functionality over the entire life cycle – from the first drive to the last periodic technical inspection. With the progressive automation of vehicle functions, the focus on safety is increasingly shifting from conventional mechanical components to software functions. However, the mechatronic systems are subject not only to technical wear and tear, but also to software updates, calibration errors following repairs, or environmental influences such as temperature fluctuations or sensor contamination. Safety-critical faults can only be reliably detected using standardized, efficient test procedures such as those developed by MAHA and dSPACE.
Dr. Geigle: Regular ADAS/AD efficiency testing as part of the periodic technical inspection is therefore becoming an indispensable part of a comprehensive safety concept – not only for automated vehicles, but also as the foundation for resilient, future-proof mobility.
Dr. Geigle: The first version of the joint solution will be delivered to selected pilot customers in the first quarter of 2026. Further talks with international PTI organizations are already at an advanced stage. Serial production is planned following the successful pilot projects.
Thank you for talking to us.
"Regular ADAS/AD efficiency testing is becoming an indispensable part of a comprehensive safety concept – not only for automated vehicles, but also as the basis for resilient, future-proof mobility."
"With the progressive automation of vehicle functions, the focus on safety is increasingly shifting from conventional mechanical components to software functions and sensors. Dedicated, efficient PTI test procedures are the only way to reliably ensure the safety of critical systems."
MAHA Adaptive System Tester (MAST) and dSPACE VERIDRIVE
- Double chassis dynamometer with flywheel mass (no electric drive required)
- Steerable for realistic driving maneuvers
- VIL tests with over-the-air sensor stimulation by dSPACE VERIDRIVE:
- Monitor-based stimulation for camera sensors
- DARTS radar target simulator for radar sensor stimulation
- Real-time driving scenarios including visualization with AURELION from dSPACE
At a Glance
- In the future, ADAS/AD tests will become an integral part of the periodic technical inspection (PTI) to ensure road safety and confidence in driver assistance systems.
- MAHA and dSPACE are jointly developing an integrated vehicle-in-the-loop (VIL) test system that tests ADAS/AD functions efficiently and practically.
- The MAHA Adaptive System Tester (MAST) combines short test times with realistic sensor stimulation by dSPACE VERIDRIVE.
- The first version of the joint solution will be delivered to selected pilot customers in the first quarter of 2026.
