VIPS is a highly accurate way of measuring speed, position and attitude (pitch/roll/yaw) in areas where GPS is not available.
With its high dynamic capabilities and the seamless transition from outdoor GNSS to indoor VIPS, it is a cutting-edge addition to any test programme.
A UWB receiver on the vehicle continuously communicates with the beacons and triangulates its position indoors. This data is combined with the measurements from a highly accurate inertial measurement system, providing a real-time 3D position and attitude measurement at 100 Hz, to within 2 cm. All measurements are made on the target vehicle in real-time.
What is remarkable, is that VIPS can achieve re-acquisition and full accuracy in less than 0.2 of a second, which is considerably faster than GPS!
The system is designed for high dynamic vehicle test and validation procedures which are normally performed outside using GPS. Examples include acceleration, braking, handling, crash testing, tyre testing and ADAS sensor validation.
The system can also be used to fill in gaps in GPS coverage in areas such as heavy tree cover, tunnels and urban canyons.
Over the 5 years it has taken to develop VIPS (VBOX Indoor Positioning System), we have built our own custom hardware, software and calibration routines which has resulted in an industry-leading accuracy of less than 2 cm.
We temperature-calibrate the beacons to ensure accuracy in all conditions, and we have developed our own antennas which are specifically designed to work on a vehicle. The custom antenna design significantly enhances the repeatability of the measurements.
To take into account the high dynamic environment of vehicle testing, we have developed our own UWB algorithms, and this has allowed us to take individual measurements at up to 800 Hz, reducing noise and dynamic errors in the measurements.
The video above (no audio) demonstrates the industry-leading accuracy that we have been able to achieve with VIPS, as we verify the distance between the vehicle and a static point using both VIPS and a tape measure.
Yes, the VBOX Indoor Positioning System can also be used outside as an alternative to GPS, in areas with limited or no satellite signal. Note that you would require a minimum of 6 beacons to cover any area, and the beacons require a power connection. What makes VIPS superior to GPS, is that it can acquire lock and achieve full accuracy in less than 0.2 s, so there is virtually no delay waiting for the system to lock onto the beacons.
It is also compatible with steering robots, offering highly accurate path following and repeatability. We used the self-survey method to set up the system for this video, which took 2 people just 30 minutes to install, with no accurate measuring tools necessary.
If the beacons are surveyed using a Total Station, the positional accuracy is <2 cm. If the self-survey mode is used (seeding the system with rough positions to within 5 m), the positional accuracy is 5-10 cm. The speed is accurate to within ±0.1 km/h, the pitch/roll ±0.1° and yaw ±0.5°.
Yes, we can advise you on how to fit a system to your own building/ test track/ tunnel.
Yes, the receiver includes a powerful processor which provides real-time information to the VBOX.
The cost will depend on the number of beacons you required to sufficiently cover your indoor test location. Please describe your test requirements and facility as detailed as possible when asking for a quote, and we will come back to you with a specific solution.