AURELION offers high-quality visualization and calculates realistic sensor data to test and validate your perception and driving functions.
SIL-HIL Transition
Test and validate your ADAS/AD perception and driving functions across HIL, SIL and cloud scenarios.
Free Ground Truth Data
Provides pixel-perfect ground truth data for automatic test and validation of your perception algorithms.
Sensor Simulation
Highly realistic and deterministic simulation of camera, radar, lidar and ultrasonic sensors.
Realistic Environment
Automatic generation of 3D roads and environments based on OpenDrive and ModelDesk.
What is AURELION?
AURELION is a flexible software solution for sensor simulation and visualization. It enables you to integrate realistic sensor data into your processes for developing, testing, and validation of perception and driving functions. The same models can be used throughout various phases of development, for example in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and vehicle-in-the-loop (VIL).
- Highly integrated in dSPACE simulation tools make the integration of AURELION quick and easy
- Our sensor simulation models make sure that you get the highest quality while still meeting your real-time demands
- Open interface to integrate custom sensor models brings the simulation even closer to reality
- Flexible integration of AURELION in third-party simulation brings our sensor simulation into your environment
Key Benefits for Sensor Simulation
The 3D rendering engine, the high-precision dSPACE simulation models, realistic 3D assets, and high-resolution material information allow for the accurate simulation of automotive sensors and environments under different weather and lighting conditions.
Sensor Models
Camera Sensor Model
Realistically simulate a camera with a rectilinear or fish-eye lens and the corresponding sensor environment.
- High-fidelity graphics, lighting effects, and configurable realistic lens profiles
- Options for image modification and failure injection
- Configurable color filter for outputting raw sensor data
- Use ground truth information such as semantic segmentation, optical flow, and 2D bounding boxes to test and validate your algorithms
Radar Sensor Model
Simulate highly realistic synthetic radar data for all injection layers in real time.
- Channel impulse response, raw data, detection lists, and object lists output available
- Radar-optimized materials and multipath raytracing ensure effects as in real-world measurements (e.g. ghost targets)
- Adaptive ray launching guarantees accurate results and optimal performance even in multi-antenna setups
Lidar Sensor Model
Realistically simulate a lidar sensor and the corresponding sensor environment.
- Outputs a point cloud with realistic calculation of reflectivity values based on lidar-specific materials
- Support for scanning and flash-based sensors
- Realistic motion distortion effects with configurable time offsets for each ray
Ultrasonic Sensor Model
Physics-based simulation of your ultrasonic sensors and the sensor environment in real time.
- Flexible sensor parameterization with output of channel impulse responses for easy simulation of your specific sensor model
- Realistic synthetic sensor data through physics-based calculation of the sound distribution, taking into account transducer interference, multipath ray tracing, material parameters, and other influencing factors.
- The high-performance implementation enables use in all development phases (MIL/SIL/HIL/VIL).
Ground Truth
In order to develop and test computer vision, it is necessary to add ground truth information to sensor data. On the one hand, they are used for automatic tests of perception algorithms and on the other hand, they can also be used to train neuronal networks. Compared to ground truth data from real data, AURELION is generating the different ground truth variants pixel-perfect and for free. For every category, such as pedestrians, cars, and traffic signs.
- Special ground truth output available for camera, radar, and lidar
- The output is automatically parametrized to fit to your sensors
- Synchronized to the raw sensor data ground truth can easily be obtained via a C API
2D Bounding Boxes
2D bounding boxes are two-dimensional boxes that enclose objects in the camera sensor. They can be used to automatically test if your perception algorithm correctly identifies the available objects in your scene. The information is given as binary data so you can use the information for automatic tests in your building pipeline.
- Parameterized for your camera sensor to give out pixel-perfect
bounding boxes - Also includes information about the class and instance of every object
- Filtered for the type of objects you need
- Can be configured to integrate or discard obscured areas
Semantic Segmentation
The semantic segmentation of images included in AURELION provides pixel-level annotations to image regions. For artificial intelligence testing and training, especially for autonomous driving, this information can be used to help neural networks learn which patterns or textures belong to which semantic class of objects.
Subsequently, such networks can be implemented for use cases as diverse as image generation, domain adaptation, lane detection, or drivable area detection.
- Customizable categories
- Same categories across camera, radar, and lidar
- Output category ID and instance ID
Ground Truth for Active Sensors
Ground truth is also available for our active sensors like radar and lidar. This includes e.g. information about the category and instance for each detection of a radar sensor and each point within a point cloud. This information can easily be obtained and used to train neuronal networks.
- Category IDs and instance IDs are identical across every sensor to identify sensors across the sensor data easily
- Different output modes require different kind of ground truth information (obtain them easily via a C API)
3D Environment
With our software, we offer support for standards like OpenScenario and OpenDrive, allowing us to automatically generate a 3D environment for you. This saves you time and effort, allowing you to focus on what matters most - your simulation.
- We provide tools to let you modify the road and also add 3D assets to the environment
- Roads and terrain are automatically generated based on OpenDrive files
- Our 3D asset library includes sensor specific materials for sensor-realistic simulation
- For a quick start, we provide multiple high-fidelity environments across urban and highway areas
Various Customization Options
We understand that every simulation is unique, and sometimes you need to modify the road or 3D environment to meet your specific needs. That's why our software also provides you with the tools to make those modifications, giving you the flexibility and control to create a customized environment that meets your exact requirements.
Environment Design as a Service
As a service, we offer you customized 3D environments that are created specifically for your application. We agree with you which parts of the environment are generated using measurement data and which parts are generated purely procedurally, i.e. algorithmically. This flexibility enables an individual compromise between the accuracy of a reconstruction and scaling, even for extensive urban environments.
All surfaces in these environments are equipped with additional material parameters so that they support other sensor models, such as a lidar or radar simulation, in addition to a realistic camera view. Please contact us for a detailed presentation of all the possibilities.
Application Areas
AURELION is suitable for a wide range of use cases and configurations. It can be used throughout various phases of development, for example, in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tests, software-in-the-loop (SIL) tests, vehicle-in-the-loop (VIL) tests, and for parallel validation in the cloud.
Automotive
Accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles and ADAS with high-fidelity simulation and visualization.
Our integrated solution combines advanced vehicle dynamics modeling with realistic sensor simulation to support the design, testing, and validation of next-generation automotive systems. Whether you're working on autonomous driving functions or enhancing driver assistance features, our platform enables you to simulate real-world scenarios with precision and flexibility.
With support for custom 3D environments and a wide range of sensor types, you can test perception, decision-making, and control algorithms in a safe and scalable virtual setting—long before physical prototypes hit the road.
Key capabilities include:
- Simulation of complex driving scenarios for autonomous vehicles
- Realistic sensor modeling for camera, radar, LiDAR, and ultrasonic systems
- Integration of custom 3D environments for urban, highway, and off-road testing
Ideal use cases:
- Autonomous Driving System Development
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
- Virtual Validation and Safety Testing
Agriculture
Test your autonomous farm machinery year-round with our all-in-one solution designed to tackle the challenges of autonomous driving in agriculture.
Our platform enables real-time simulation of dynamic 3D environmental changes—such as ground deformation and crop harvesting—while also incorporating dust particle effects for realistic sensor behavior.
Off-Road Vehicles
Seamlessly integrate your own 3D environments and simulate complex off-road conditions with high realism.
Our solution empowers you to create and test in customized terrains, enabling accurate simulation of off-road driving scenarios. From high-resolution height profiles to soft soil behavior and realistic tire mark generation, you can replicate the challenges of rugged environments with precision.
Key capabilities include:
- Integration of custom 3D environments
- Simulation of off-road terrains with:
- High-resolution elevation data
- Soft and deformable soil
- Dynamic tire track rendering
Ideal use cases:
- Off-road vehicle testing
- Mining operations and logistics
Automated Mobile Robots (AMR)
Test your automated mobile robots in any environment—on the road, in a warehouse, or even in a hospital—using your own custom 3D environments and the AURELION sensor simulation platform.
Our solution allows seamless integration of personalized 3D environments and delivers high-fidelity sensor simulation tailored for mobile robotics.
Rail
Simulate and validate rail systems with a flexible and powerful modeling environment.
Our solution offers a generic model framework that allows you to configure a wide range of train setups—from single units to complex multi-car configurations. It supports detailed simulation of peripheral components such as pantographs, doors, and other onboard systems, ensuring realistic behavior and interaction.
In addition, you can simulate track-side infrastructure including switches, axle counters, and signaling systems, enabling comprehensive testing of train-to-track communication and operational scenarios.
Ideal use cases include:
- Development and testing of train control systems
- Validation of onboard and track-side equipment
- Simulation of operational workflows in rail networks
Bike
Simulate and visualize two-wheeler dynamics with precision using the ASM Bike model and AURELION.
This integrated solution enables realistic testing of motorcycle behavior and rider safety systems in a virtual environment. With the ASM Bike simulation model, you can accurately replicate the physical dynamics of two-wheelers, while AURELION provides high-fidelity visualization and sensor simulation to support advanced development workflows.
Whether you're testing Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) or evaluating Motorcycle Stability Control systems, this setup offers a powerful and flexible platform for validation and innovation.
AURELION Manager
With AURELION Manager, you can parametrize your virtual sensors and place them on a 3D representation of your ego car, giving you complete control over your sensor configuration. Our software solution allows you to optimize your AURELION instances and streamline your workflow.
- Import your 3D representation of your car into AURELION
- Visualize your sensor instances on a 3D model of your ego car
- Make accurate decisions about your sensor placement
- Distribute the load by specifying which sensor should be calculated on which PC
- Integrate AURELION into your test environment seamlessly with Automation API
What our customers say
With the highly accurate sensor-realistic simulation software AURELION, algorithms for the visual perception and decision-making of autonomous driving can be reliably verified.
The sensor-realistic simulation models from dSPACE make it possible to generate raw sensor data from complex 3-D scenarios. This enables us to conduct complex, realistic tests in early development phases comfortably and cost-efficiently.
Thanks to the sensor-realistic simulation in AURELION, we were able to take into account, for example, the usual external influences such as multipath reflections due to construction site situations or peripheral buildings as well as influences in city traffic in a wide variety of variations during the development of our Blind Spot Information Systems.
With the dSPACE simulation solution, we have a flexibly configurable way to efficiently and reliably check the correct functioning of sensors and driver assistance systems of real vehicles in our test centers.
The sensor-realistic simulation solution AURELION makes it possible to integrate realistic sensor data into the processes for developing, testing, and validating a wide range of perception and driving functions.
dSPACE’s solution competence in simulation and validation completely convinced us and helped us to efficiently put our ambitious autonomous street sweeper project into practice.
With the sensor-realistic camera model, we can reliably simulate highly complex test tasks virtually.
Certified According to ISO 26262
AURELION was certified by TÜV SÜD according to ISO 26262 for safety-relevant systems in motor vehicles. The tool is thus suitable to be used in safety-related development projects according to ISO 26262:2018 for any automotive safety integrity level (ASIL).
This means: Vehicle manufacturers and suppliers can exclude AURELION from the ISO 26262 qualification of their entire processes and can concentrate on proving the functional safety of their own process chains.
Latest Version 25.3
AURELION introduces multiple major new features and improvements to give you more flexible simulation capabilities.
Highlights
- Improved integration of custom environments by calculating fellow heights directly in AURELION based on the used 3D environment
- Visualize ASM ground truth sensor cones in AURELION to observe the field of view that is covered by the ASM ground truth sensors
- Support for beam divergence in the AURELION lidar simulation for more accurate and realistic sensor data
- Sensor postprocessing API reworked to work in a similar manner for all sensor types and reduce future migration efforts
- Extended AURELION to enable testing of ADAS ECUs with headlamp control functions
Support for AURELION Users
Links to detailed technical information and customer service. Access may require registration.
