The latest version of our simulation software SILAB 7.3 contains many features that further optimize its application in research and development as well as overall usability. In addition to the many new graphical objects, some highlights are given below. Furthermore, we will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

Assistance and automation

• All SILAB editions include an assistance package that corresponds to SAE J3016 driving levels L0 - L2. In addition, the mandatory systems for new vehicles prescribed in the EU regulation 2019/2144 have been considered.
• The existing automation package has been expanded to include manual, assisted, semi-automated and highly automated driving (SAE J3016 driving levels L0 - L4).

Interfaces

SILAB is now offering new options for utilizing and connecting advanced hardware and software:

• Eye tracking: PupilLabs and Tobii Glasses.
• Physiological measurements: BiosignalPLUX and LabStreamingLayer.
• Videos: Recording with OBS Studio.

Depending on the application, the requirements for a driving simulation can change. SILAB Extension Packages enable a targeted enhancement of the functional scope of SILAB.

Examples include the integration of third-party software for vehicle driving dynamics, the connection of up to five simulators to examine interactions in the same virtual environment, the integration of assistance and automation systems, or an app-based secondary task package. The possibilities for expanding SILAB are manifold and open up new topics in the field of driving simulators as needed.

A complete description of the currently available SILAB Extension Packages can be found here.

Join us at the Hi-Drive Webinar on User Acceptance of automated driving and trainings for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)

The Würzburger Institut für Verkehrswissenschaften, in collaboration with the BMW Group, will present a study on behavioural adaptation and user acceptance of Level 3 automated driving systems. The study took place on public roads in Munich, including motorways.

The webinar takes place on Friday 21 March 2025 between 10am and 11.30am.

How do drivers’ expectations, acceptance, and handling of the system change with repeated use of automated driving systems?

The Würzburger Institut für Verkehrswissenschaften, together with BMW Group, has published a study on this research question as part of the European Hi-Drive Project. The study on behavioural adaptation to Level 3 Automated Driving Systems (ADS) was conducted in public traffic including four sessions per driver on motorways (up to 130 km/h) and urban motorways (up to 60 km/h). With increasing experience, understanding of the system improves, expectations become more realistic, the ADS is evaluated more positively, and perceived safety increases. The results are compared with a previous simulator study on behavioural adaptation to ADS.

The study has now been published in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour and is freely accessible here until the beginning of April 2025.

How common is car sickness? How does car sickness affect cognitive as well as take over and driving performance?

The Würzburger Institut für Verkehrswissenschaften answered these questions in an online presentation on February 28th as part of the Motion Comfort Talks organized by the TU Delft Intelligent Vehicle Group. With the development of higher levels of automation, the driver becomes a part-time passenger. The risk of experiencing car sickness increases. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate how many people are affected by car sickness, what are the modulating factors, and in the context of takeover situations in automated driving, what are the effects on (driving) performance.