The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift. For the first time, regulators are acknowledging virtual testing and simulation as valid inputs for certification and type approval in the upcoming UN regulation #152. This is not just a minor update—it’s a significant milestone that fundamentally changes the way safety and performance standards are approached, especially for advanced vehicle systems like Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS).
UN regulation #152 allows virtual testing to be recognized as part of the AEBS certification process and is expected to be finalized by Q2 of 2025. While AEBS is the initial focal point, this amendment opens the door for virtual testing to potentially become a standardized method across various vehicle safety systems. For the industry, this shift in regulatory acceptance is not only necessary; it’s inevitable. As advanced vehicle systems become increasingly complex, traditional testing methods alone are insufficient to address the full spectrum of scenarios these systems must handle.
For companies like Foretellix, this regulatory change is both validating and promising. At Foretellix, we have long advocated for scalable, virtual testing solutions to support the growing demands of Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Foretellix’s data-driven autonomy development toolchain is purpose-built for these challenges, enabling a level of scenario testing and validation that traditional methods cannot match. This amendment represents a critical role of virtual testing in meeting regulatory standards efficiently and effectively.
The Regulatory Shift: Moving from Physical to Virtual Testing in Vehicle Certification
Historically, certification and type approval processes for vehicle safety systems have relied almost exclusively on physical testing. Physical tests provide direct evidence of system reliability under controlled conditions, but they come with limitations. They are costly, time-consuming, and lack the flexibility to cover the wide array of real-world scenarios that autonomous vehicles (AVs) might encounter. Physical testing alone cannot feasibly replicate the myriad situations that vehicles face, particularly as AV and ADAS technologies grow in sophistication.
The UNECE’s Working Group on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) is addressing this challenge head-on. In the upcoming amendment to UN regulation #152, virtual testing can be used to certify the system. This regulatory change is a direct response to the industry’s need for more comprehensive and scalable testing methods that can keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
This amendment to the AEBS certification process is a pivotal moment. Not only does it officially recognize virtual testing as a credible and practical alternative to physical testing, but it also reflects a growing understanding among regulators that the industry needs a broader, more adaptable approach to testing. The UNECE/WP.29’s adoption of virtual testing for AEBS approval is a first step, and its success could pave the way for expanded virtual testing across other vehicle safety systems.
The New Testing Framework: Balancing Physical and Virtual Testing
Under the proposed framework, vehicle manufacturers will be allowed to use virtual testing for specific certification requirements. To maintain robust standards, at least 30% of the required tests must still be conducted physically, with at least one test for each scenario variant relevant to approval. Importantly, the virtual tests must be validated in accordance with Annex 4 of the regulation, ensuring that the simulations meet stringent reliability and accuracy standards.
This 30% physical testing requirement represents a balanced approach that blends the strengths of both physical and virtual testing. By retaining a portion of physical tests, the framework safeguards the integrity of the certification process, while the inclusion of virtual testing allows for broader and more complex scenario coverage. The 30% requirement is viewed as an initial benchmark, and there is an expectation that this threshold will decrease as virtual testing technology advances and gains further acceptance in regulatory circles.
This gradual shift toward a greater reliance on virtual testing is essential. As vehicle systems become more intricate, so do the scenarios in which they must operate safely. Virtual testing allows manufacturers to simulate an extensive range of driving conditions—from rare weather events to unique traffic scenarios—offering unparalleled insight into system performance and safety.
Foretellix’s Role: Leading the Virtual Testing Revolution
At Foretellix, we’ve anticipated this regulatory shift and have designed our Data-Driven Autonomy Development Toolchain to meet precisely these types of challenges. Our toolchain is built to facilitate a new era of vehicle validation, offering advanced scenario generation and evaluation to support comprehensive, scalable testing solutions. Our approach goes beyond merely addressing regulatory requirements—it enables our clients to achieve a depth of validation that sets a new standard for safety and reliability in the industry.
With Foretellix’s toolchain, manufacturers can simulate virtually any scenario, from common driving situations to extreme edge cases. The platform’s data-driven approach allows for in-depth analysis and validation, which is essential for meeting both current and future regulatory demands. By enabling our customers to test and validate their systems at scale, Fortellix’s development toolchain is more than a response to regulatory changes—it’s a proactive solution designed to address the fundamental challenges of AV and ADAS development.
The Broader Implications: What This Means for the Industry
This amendment marks the beginning of a new era for the automotive industry. By acknowledging virtual testing as part of the certification process, regulators are embracing a more comprehensive approach to safety validation. This shift holds significant implications for the future of AV and ADAS technologies, including:
- Efficient AI Validation:
Support the shift to AI-centric end-to-end stacks by evaluating the performance of the entire system from sensor inputs to decision-making outputs, to uncover risks, edge cases, and potential gaps. - Realistic Scenarios at Scale:
Generate any number of training and test scenarios under diverse environmental, weather, and traffic conditions, including hazardous situations too dangerous to recreate on actual roads. - High-Fidelity Sensor Simulation:
Reduce dependency on physical prototypes by utilizing virtual testing to significantly lower development expenses and make cutting-edge safety systems more accessible to all. - Continuous Improvement:
Rendering physically based sensor data for camera, radar, and lidar, enabling the creation of training and testing datasets and supporting closed-loop testing to enhance development efficiency.
While AEBS is the initial focus of this amendment, the potential for virtual testing to expand across other vehicle systems is substantial. The automotive industry is increasingly moving toward a holistic, system-level approach to vehicle safety, and virtual testing is a natural fit for this evolution.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Vehicle Certification and Virtual Testing
The UN Regulation #152 amendment brings the industry closer to a future where virtual testing is an integral part of safety validation. As this approach gains acceptance, we can expect to see a gradual reduction in the required percentage of physical tests, further reinforcing the role of virtual testing as a core component of certification.
As the industry continues to evolve, Foretellix remains dedicated to pioneering new standards for vehicle validation, ensuring that advanced vehicle systems meet the highest safety and performance standards. With the power of virtual testing and the capabilities of Foretellix’s platform, the future of vehicle certification is not only achievable—it’s here.
