The Swedish test track AstaZero is opening the world’s longest indoor facility for testing active safety systems and autonomous technologies for all types of vehicles.
The facility is 700m long and 40m wide and enables testing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with reproducible light and surfaces.
“AstaZero Dry Zone will play an important role in the transition of the automotive industry and will provide unique opportunities needed for research, development and validation of self-driving and connected vehicles as well as the surrounding infrastructure,” says Pia Sandvik, CEO RISE, the Swedish Research Institute and innovation partner.
AstaZero says the industry has been asking for a long indoor track in Sweden for many years and when the pandemic hit and restrictions made it difficult for the industry to conduct important tests, the need only became greater, which is when plans for the new track accelerated.
AstaZero Dry Zone can be compared to a brightly illuminated aircraft hangar. Tests can be carried out repeatedly in the same light conditions and on the same surface, no matter the time of day or season. Active safety systems and autonomous technologies comprise the main focus areas, but vehicle dynamics and brake performance will also be tested on the new track.
It’ll be inaugurated next Wednesday.
(Picture – RISE)
