Ford is using simulation software from Ansys to develop predictive headlights that improve vehicle visibility at night. Ansys AVxcelerate Headlamp virtual environment is providing Ford with physics-based lighting simulation that is reducing the car maker’s time and costs in real-world night drives.

Ford is testing a new predictive smart headlight system that uses real-time location data to direct beams into upcoming turns, allowing motorists to better see around corners and respond to hazards. But as advanced driver assistance systems affect more and more automotive features, the number of scenarios that must be accounted for increases significantly. This makes physical testing and validation more and more difficult and expensive.

Shifting part of testing to virtual environments helps reduce cost and complexity. Ansys’ vehicle headlight solution features real-time, physics-based optical simulation and driver-in-the-loop functionality to replicate the physical world with a degree of predictive accuracy. Provided with a virtual night driving experience, engineers at Ford can use these simulations to improve product design before physical headlamp prototypes are available.

“The predictive accuracy of Ansys simulations yield a variety of significant benefits for our team, from being able to engineer for edge case scenarios to less late-night road tests,” said Michael Koherr, advanced lighting research engineer at Ford of Europe. “With the ability to truly gauge system performance in a virtual environment, we’re able to identify opportunities to improve our product well before entering the physical testing stage. Simulation has and will continue to play a critical role in our quest of making driving at night as safe and easy as during the day.”

“Ford’s intelligent headlights represent an excellent case of how simulation, innovation and safety go hand-in-hand,” said Shane Emswiler, senior vice president of products at Ansys. “With our solutions, engineers at Ford can quickly test its system under countless scenarios and lighting conditions to help ensure that the first physical prototype is in excellent working condition. Ultimately, that means Ford’s technology can spend less time as a concept and more time on the road, reducing accidents and saving lives.”