How simulators can make a difference

Bringing the Future of Vehicle Development to NRCC — With IPG

Why IPG Matters

IPG Automotive is a global leader in the field of “virtual test driving” — offering a suite of simulation tools combining software and hardware that allow full-vehicle development, test, and validation entirely in a virtual environment.

Their flagship product, CarMaker (among other tools), enables realistic simulation of vehicle dynamics, powertrain behavior, and full system integration: from initial concept and modeling, through software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), all the way to full system validation.

Virtual prototyping with IPG allows replacement of physical prototypes with a fully functional virtual vehicle — reducing time, cost, and risk.
The simulation environment supports a broad array of domains: powertrain, vehicle dynamics, chassis, suspension, steering, sensor and environment modeling (critical for ADAS/autonomous systems), making it relevant for modern, complex vehicle design.
Because IPG has decades of experience (company founded in 1984) and is used globally by automotive firms, it gives students access to industry-grade tools and workflows.

By integrating such a simulator into NRCC’s program, students transition from textbook or basic CAD design into real automotive-system design and testing — giving them a competitive, professional-level experience while still in school.

How IPG Simulator Elevates NRCC’s Engineering Design Program & Student Projects

With your program’s background — including a hands-on curriculum with CAD, additive manufacturing, reverse engineering, and now an ambitious EV-chassis build — IPG’s simulator becomes more than “nice to have”: it becomes a core enabler of advanced learning, validation, and innovation. Here’s how:

Full Virtual Testing Before Fabrication: Students working on the replica race-car (GT40) redesign — with a newly designed sheet-metal chassis, integration of Tesla-battery modules, rear-wheel-drive motor/ powertrain, custom wiring and thermal systems, etc. — can model the entire vehicle in CarMaker (or IPG’s simulation suite) before any physical chassis is built. This permits virtual validation of dynamics, stability, behavior under load, and powertrain integration, minimizing costly design errors and rework.
Systems-Level Thinking: The project isn’t just about body/chassis geometry or battery placement — it's a full vehicle system: chassis, powertrain, suspension, thermal/wiring routing, weight distribution, dynamics. IPG’s tools support “system-engineering” workflows: full-vehicle modeling, powertrain simulation, vehicle dynamics, even sensor/ environment modeling if needed (e.g. for ADAS or testing scenarios).
Rapid Iteration and Concept Evaluation: Virtual prototyping means multiple design variants (chassis geometry, battery placement, suspension setup, etc.) can be tested and compared quickly. Students can iterate design choices, test vehicle behavior under different conditions, and refine their design — all before committing to welding metal or ordering parts.
Bridging Education & Industry Practice: Because IPG is used globally by professional automotive and mobility firms, students trained on IPG simulators are essentially using the same tools and workflows as real-world engineers. That strengthens both their technical competence and their résumé.
Supporting EV / Modern Vehicle Design Trends: With the shift toward electric and hybrid vehicles — like your Tesla-battery-powered design — being able to simulate powertrain, battery mass distribution, weight balance, dynamic behavior and thermal characteristics is invaluable. IPG’s powertrain and vehicle-dynamics simulation capabilities are directly applicable.
Cost-effective, Safe, and Scalable Learning: Rather than rely solely on physical prototypes — which are expensive, time-consuming, and risky — using a virtual simulation platform allows safe, repeatable testing, and is scalable across many students/projects. For a college program, that’s a major advantage.