Automated tests for ECU software testing

Horse Powertrain works in hybrid and petrol powertrain verification and validation. Its HIL testing for powertrain control units sits alongside virtual tests and diagnostics in test cells and on complete vehicles. To broaden this, Horse Powertrain added a test rig built on the RemotiveLabs platform. The rig gives remote access to the ECU and other control modules. The team can then automate tests for UDS (Unified Diagnostic Services), safety features, software updates and more.

A flexible way to communicate with the ECU

Horse Powertrain automates ECU verification with RemotiveLabs software running on a Raspberry Pi with several CAN FD interfaces. The automation covers software updates, calibration variants and functions working as specified. The same setup also runs cybersecurity tests automatically.

Main advantages of testing ECUs with RemotiveLabs

• Flexible tests on ECU level - The RemotiveLabs platform on a Raspberry Pi with CAN interfaces lets Horse Powertrain test requirements early. A traditional HIL setup can't easily do this kind of basic software testing.
• Integrates directly with the existing CI/CD pipeline - The team writes its own framework for scripted automated tests in any gRPC-supported language. Horse Powertrain pre-processes the results and decides how they are published.
• Easy to maintain and scale - Python tests are easier to maintain, reuse and scale than scripts in typical domain-specific languages.
• Remote access - The team tests several setups at the same time, either on the local network or over SSH.
• Space efficient - The only hardware needed is a Raspberry Pi or a Linux/Docker-based machine. Developers and testers keep using their normal office equipment and their own choice of OS.
• Cost efficient - The RemotiveLabs and Raspberry Pi setup is at least 10 times more cost-efficient than a traditional solution.

"For early software ECU verification, the RemotiveLabs setup enables automated testing and is at least 10 times more cost efficient than the HIL-rig setup."

Lorenzo Della Torre
Software Test Automation Engineer, Horse Powertrain

Horse Powertrain has its roots in Volvo Cars, where a framework for automated ECU verification testing was developed.