The government plans to devise a computerized virtual experiment system in cooperation with domestic automakers and other companies to develop self-driving cars and other next-generation vehicles, in an effort to shorten the development period and cut relevant costs, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. It aims to complete the system around fiscal 2020.
Development of joint experiment systems, in which performance evaluations are conducted without using real vehicles, has been led by Germany and other countries. The government seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of the nation's auto industry by creating a system that can be easily utilized sector-wide.
Automakers must invest substantial sums of money in the development of next-generation vehicles, making it vital to improve developmental efficiency.
A virtual experiment system will enable automakers to minimize the use of prototype vehicles and parts in evaluating performance, noise, vibration and other features.
Mazda Motor Corp. -- a leader in the experiment system -- is said to have significantly reduced its investment costs for processing new types of engines.
Since 2016, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has been developing a computerized prototype system to calculate fuel efficiency in cooperation with automakers and other firms.
The ministry is considering convening a study group with automakers and parts manufacturers to discuss the specific functions needed for the joint system, among other issues.
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