Quantum Signal Announces Release of Major Upgrade in ANVEL 2.0; Next-Level Advances In Autonomous Vehicle Engineering And Design

  SALINE, MICHIGAN - 06/23/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Quantum Signal announced a new release of the Autonomous Navigation Virtual Environment Laboratory (ANVEL), their autonomous vehicle development software for both Windows and Linux platforms. The updated ANVEL 2.0 includes a host of new features, making development and testing of autonomous vehicle software and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) easier and faster than ever before, in real-time from the computing desktop.

New Features

A major upgrade in the new release is the External Application Program Interface (API), which allows ANVEL 2.0 to interface with other simulation packages, software, and user-generated codebases and toolchains.  ANVEL 2.0 seamlessly supports users who build sensing, perception, and control algorithms in tools such as Mathworks Matlab, National Instruments LabVIEW, or industry standard languages (Java, Python, or C++).  ANVEL 2.0’s virtual versions of an intelligent vehicle platform, in a wide variety of virtual environments, enable users to improve their algorithms and enhance their performance and safety, long before testing on actual vehicles. 

In addition, the External API allows users to build ANVEL2.0 into their external applications, facilitating engineering co-simulation for user interface studies; systemic algorithm or software debugging; hardware and software-in-the-loop testing; and validation/verification.  ANVEL 2.0’s External API facilitates easy inclusion of the software into automated testing frameworks, simplifying virtual simulation and exploration of the parameter space at-scale. ANVEL 2.0 also includes the ability to build automated autonomous vehicle testing scenarios with virtual actors (e.g., other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.). 

“With the addition of the External API, new support for Linux, and a myriad of other improvements, ANVEL 2.0 now supports a very broad range of autonomous and intelligent ground vehicle developers and applications,” said Dr. Mitchell Rohde, Quantum Signal’s CEO. “Developers were crying out for software tools to help them develop, test, and validate robotic vehicles in real-time and on the desktop.  ANVEL 2.0 is that tool, and we look forward to supporting the growing user base with this outstanding new version.”

Versions and Availability

Three versions of ANVEL 2.0 are immediately available to qualified end users: ANVEL Government (intended for use by US Government and its allies); ANVEL Academic (intended for use by university students and researchers); and ANVEL Commercial (intended for use by industry). 

New Website, Support, and Service Options

An integral part of support for ANVEL 2.0 is a dedicated new ANVEL website (www.anvelsim.com), where users can share models of vehicles, sensors, environments, and more, further broadening community connections and providing resources to those leveraging ANVEL 2.0.  Support forums provide open access where questions are posted and answers received from other expert users and developers. 

In addition to the free support option, Quantum Signal now offers short and long-term support fee-based options to meet the differing needs of ANVEL 2.0 users.  Short term support options include low cost “micro-packages” that provide direct, expert help.  Long-term support includes yearly SLA packages intended to handle long-term, more complex issues. 

For users requiring more direct assistance, Quantum Signal’s experienced ANVEL 2.0 internal services team is available to assist on any size projects.  This service, which can be flexibly contracted according to the needs of the program, helps users fully leverage ANVEL 2.0 and quickly jump-start their application and bring it to fruition.     

ANVEL is an engineering modeling and simulation tool currently used by the US DoD, military contractors, and academic researchers world-wide to develop safer, more reliable, and more robust intelligent ground vehicles.  ANVEL provides a virtual proving ground for building and testing the underlying “intelligence” and software in vehicles with autonomy, semi-autonomy, and smart driver-assistance features.  ANVEL users can quickly and easily build virtual vehicles (cars, trucks, utility vehicles, small robots, etc.); add virtual sensors (LIDAR, RADAR, GPS, inertial measurement, cameras); attach algorithmic software “intelligence;” place the complete system in a virtual environment of any type; and perform simulated driving and testing. 

This virtualized vehicle playground assists engineers in understanding system performance under circumstances both ordinary and unusual, by allowing for repeated, reliable, safe testing, and iterative refinements of autonomy software before utilization in actual vehicle operation.  Researchers building ADAS modules, autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, teleoperated robots, and more are using ANVEL to smooth the development process, reducing the time between concept and well-vetted product. 

Highly visual and completely interactive, ANVEL software is currently facilitating a wide range of programs, including major US Army robotics efforts such as the Common Robotic System Individual (CRSI); the Route Clearance Interrogation System (RCIS); the Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System (AMAS) that enabled recent tests on the Michigan I-69 corridor; and the Autonomous Ground Resupply (AGR) program.  In addition, ANVEL is used in well-known academic institutions, such as the University of Michigan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many more.

Quantum Signal, established in 1999, specializes in math-based engineering and custom product development. The company’s clients include public and private sector organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies. Quantum Signal is based in Saline, Michigan, and headquartered in Saline’s Historic Union School.  ###