The era of the self-driving car hasn’t arrived yet, but it’s already expanded the auto industry, with Google and (reportedly) Apple, scouting new territory to invade . So far the field has been dominated by big players, because they’re the only ones with the resources to do serious work. Small startups typically have been shut out—until now, when they can use an autonomous vehicle simulator. The Driving Simulator and Vehicle Systems Lab—mercifully nicknamed the SimLab—in San Jose will provide access to research-grade simulator facilities to startups developing advanced automotive technology. The goal is to help smaller enterprises to compete. Anyone can rent time on the sim to develop safety and efficiency improving technologies they can then market to auto manufacturers or industry suppliers. “It’s open to everyone, and that’s new. That’s the reason why we did this,” says Dr. Lutz Eckstein, chairman of the board for fkaSV, the company running SimLab. Simulators are usually the property of automakers, companies like Google, or research centers at universities. But, Eckstein says, “any startup or any company that is interested in presenting or evaluating or optimizing their technology can come here.” The unpronounceable name fkaSV is […]
