Simulation Limited: How Sensor Simulation for Self-driving Vehicles is Limited by Game Engine Based Simulators

Simulating the images of unique cameras used for self-driving was a drivingforce behind the development of a new engine for a simulator designed forautonomous vehicle development.Over the last 18 months, the importance of simulation in the development of autonomous vehicle technologies has become widely accepted. Industry experts and analysts alike are claiming that enormous distances must be covered by self-driving systems to achieve safe operation in varied road conditions and environments. Meanwhile, certain weather conditions and traffic scenarios are extremely rare, resulting in limited test opportunities. The only way to cover the distances and reach the diversity required for the safe operation of highly automated vehicles is through testing these systems and their modules in virtual environments. The demands of simulation for self-driving cars are extremely high and not all simulators are created equal.