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This paper approaches the use of machine vision as an automation tool for verification tests in automotive Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). A computer integrated with PXI modular instruments, machine vision software and Integrated Development Environment (IDE) composes the test system. The IPC is verified in closed-loop using the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) technique in which the HiL system simulates all Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that interact with the IPC. Every simulated ECUs signals are sent to the IPC over CAN (Controller Area Network) bus or hardwired I/O using PXI modules integrated with IDE and its responses are captured by cameras. Using machine vision such images are subjected to Digital Image Processing (DIP) techniques as pattern matching, edge detection and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which can be applied to interpret speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauges, display and warning lights.

This paper approaches the use of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) test framework to perform automated verification test of Seatbelt Reminder Function in automotive Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). The goal of this test was to verify if the Belt-Minder™ Feature performs its seatbelt warning function sounding a chime and illuminating a warning light when the user has his seatbelt unbuckled in compliance with safety standards and regulations. The manual execution of this test requires many resources like prototype vehicle, fuel, many engineers' work hours for each test, etc. However, testing dynamically with HiL system some of those mentioned resources are not required like the prototype vehicle and other are reduced, for example, the time taken to have report on hands. The most important among the advantages, was the possibility of testing with HiL earlier in the V-Diagram.

With the number and complexity increase of electronic control units (ECUs) within the automotive industry, the tests requirement’s stringency also tends to increase, regarding safety, performance and quality, which in turn lead to greater costs and time required to implement and execute these tests. This work presents an integrated and automated workflow to setup, execute, monitor and evaluate a stress test for an electronic stability program (ESP) module, that may also be applied to other ECUs with minor changes. The proposed method consists on the repeated reproduction of several controller area network (CAN) logs, collected from a prototype, production vehicle or even a virtual automobile, into a real-time bench mounted system, that contains the targeted ECU and peripherals components. A Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) approach is used to reproduce physical sensors and CAN inputs to the ECU.

As the development of in-vehicle infotainment systems increases, center stack display, digital instrument panels and heads-up displays become much more common in modern vehicles. Several of these screens are touch displays and in order to execute automated test in those displays against new iterations of software two solutions are possible: embedded touch simulators or physically touch the screens with external actuators. Although simulators can be more practical and easier to setup, its availability depends on the parts suppliers, not being always the same software and setup for the same test cases. External actuators have advantage to test the software and physical components and have a constant setup, but usually commercial options are expensive and need specialized professionals to configure it as needed.