Chalmers University of Technology
The automobile industry is undergoing change and tests and trials are being conducted more agilely. AstaZero is now opening the world's longest indoor track for testing active safety systems and autonomous technologies for all types of vehicles. Vehicle operators are able to conduct tests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with reproducible light and surfaces.
AstaZero, owned by Chalmers and RISE, is the world's first full-scale independent testing and demonstration facility for future road safety. It is located in Hällered just outside Borås. The facility is now being expanded to house the world's longest indoor track - 700 metres long and 40 metres wide. AstaZero Dry Zone will be inaugurated on 28 April.
"We look forward to AstaZero Dry Zone", says Stefan Bengtsson, President and CEO of Chalmers. "We will be able to conduct advanced research in, for example, autonomous driving, in facilities where we have full control over light and weather conditions. Autonomous driving is an area of great benefit and potential for the automotive industry and society as a whole. AstaZero will now be an even more competitive facility, giving Chalmers, together with the industry, excellent conditions for participating in large research projects."
"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 of RISE.
No need to go to southern Europe now
The automobile industry conducts millions of tests every year. Reproducible environments are a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the accuracy of test results.
"The tests and trials conducted by vehicle operators require plenty of personnel and result in excessive travel," says Peter Janevik, CEO of AstaZero. "In Dry Zone, the development time can be streamlined and tests can be carried out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
AstaZero Dry Zone can be compared to a brightly illuminated aircraft hangar. 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.
Inauguration on April 28 after accelerated completion
AstaZero has customers across the globe. The industry has been asking for a long indoor track in Sweden for many years. And when the pandemic hit and the subsequent 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.
The Västra Götaland Region's programme for sustainable transport is supporting the initiative with an amount of SEK 10 million.
Inauguration
Welcome to the live stream of the inauguration (external link) of AstaZero Dry Zone on April 28 at 11 am.
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