DGE, Inc.’s HMIts puts FEV at the forefront of telematics and infotainment design and development

FEV North America, Inc. a leading developer of advancedpowertrain and vehicle system technologies will be showcasing the DGE, Inc.(DGE) Human Machine Interface test system in the FEV exhibit at the SAE WorldCongress, April 8 – 10, 2014 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Mich. DGE is asubsidiary of FEV North America, Inc.

In three of the last four years, Rochester Hills,Michigan-based DGE, Inc. has been named by Inc 5000 as one of the top threefastest growing automotive electronic design centers in the USA. Itsacquisition in May 2013, by FEV gives the joint organization capabilitiesunrivaled in the industry by enhancing FEV’s current electrical/electronic andvehicle systems expertise.

“FEV North America has been developing a strongelectronics engineering presence for over a decade and has been particularlysuccessful in the areas of controller and algorithm development.  The addition of DGE brings a significantincrease in our electronics expertise and provides strong capabilities in theinfotainment and telematics space, which works together with our strengths atFEV.  DGE also brings a strong backgroundwith connected vehicles that nicely complements our capabilities at FEV.  The combination of the two companies hascreated tremendous potential for synergy that will represent value to ourcustomers,” said Joachim Wolschendorf, president and CEO of DGE.

The DGE HMIts provides end-to-end testing from the deviceto the car and back.  The DGE system wasdeveloped internally, and allows each tool to be quickly reconfigured in orderto characterize and identify defects as they arise. This is a major advantageas next-generation infotainment and telematics systems will integrate bothvehicular and cloud-based devices.

Ideal applications for HMIts testing include:

    —  Voice recognition tree flows verification

    —  Voice recognition performances testing

    —  Screen flows / wireframes verification

    —  Regression testing

    —  Stress testing

    —  Performance and reliability testing

    —  System monitoring

    —  Closed loop, end-to-end testing in bothAndroid and iOS platforms with mobile apps, Bluetooth and customer portals

Accomplishing these tasks requires a multi-phase approachthat automates the task of validating user interfaces containing speech, videoand touch. Because it can run simulated software, the HMIts does not requireuse of the actual device, and task automation means test inputs can beaccurately repeated to a high confidence level. This capability also permitsnew features to be developed in a shorter time, and at a lower cost.  The HMIts reduces test time by 67% andtypically has an ROI of less than 5 months.

The HMIts system operates via a non-proprietary interfaceand offers the significant benefit of conducting this type of testing in acontrolled environment, ensuring consistent and objective results.

About FEV

The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrainand vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportationindustry. FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providingsupport across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping,powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration,calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-,diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops andprototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems andhybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economystandards. The company has expanded its engineering capabilities to includefull vehicle systems and now offers broad expertise in electronics, telematicsand infotainment system engineering. The FEV Test Systems division is a globalsupplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEVGroup employs a staff of over 2,800 highly skilled specialists at advancedtechnical centers on three continents. FEV North America, Inc. employs over 450personnel in its Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.