Russia Develops Universal Simulator for Autonomous Vehicles
The system is designed to replace foreign tools and enable virtual testing of drones and specialized machinery.
Researchers in Chelyabinsk have patented a simulation module for autonomous transport that is designed to replace foreign analogs and model virtually any testing scenario for driverless systems. The development has already been adapted for electric vehicles and specialized machinery and is expected to be used in the future for drones and ground-based robots.
The system’s key distinction is its open architecture. Unlike closed foreign solutions, the Russian module gives developers full control over testing parameters and conditions.
Setting New Standards for Simulation Platforms
The system runs on the Unity engine and uses Python scripts for video processing and control, TASS reported. It operates in real time, handling complex tasks without relying on physical test sites or weather conditions. “In the virtual model, everything is simulated within the system itself, which speeds up development and reduces costs,” the researcher added.
For the global market, the project highlights Russia’s potential in the digital transformation of transport. It not only supports technological self-reliance but also sets new benchmarks for simulation platforms.
Looking ahead, the developers plan to integrate large language models to generate unpredictable events in virtual traffic scenarios and to build multi-agent simulations in which multiple autonomous systems interact with each other. This could open new opportunities for advancing artificial intelligence in transportation.
