Břehyně near Doksy, 21 October 2025 – The revolution in vehicle and autonomous driving system testing is gaining momentum. The Czech company AUREL hosted the first edition of VIL Tour 2025 at its development and testing proving ground, bringing together leading experts and key developers from the Czech Republic and Germany. Organised in cooperation with Brno University of Technology (VUT) and Datron Technology, the event demonstrated how Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) technology is dramatically accelerating the development of autonomous systems and enhancing the safety of future vehicles.
The professional conference, which attracted nearly fifty developers and technical experts, was complemented by practical demonstrations. Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) technology enables real vehicles to be tested in an unlimited number of virtual scenarios, significantly reducing both the cost and time required for the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving functions.
Showcasing the Latest Technologies
The event featured demonstrations of functions that are soon to become standard in passenger vehicles. Partner companies presented, among others:
- AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking): An automatic emergency braking system capable of stopping a vehicle before a virtual obstacle, whether another car or a pedestrian. Demonstrated by IPG Automotive (Germany).
- ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control): Testing of adaptive cruise control in complex traffic scenarios simulated through mixed reality, presented by MdynamiX (Germany).
- Dooring Test: A scenario simulating the danger of opening a parked car door into the path of a cyclist, tested in compliance with the latest EURO NCAP methodology. Presented by GeneSys (Germany).
Other leading companies in the field also showcased their technologies, including Datron Technology (GNSS signal simulation for precise positioning), 3D Mapping Solutions (creation of digital twins of real-world environments), and Stähle Robot Systems (robotic vehicle control).
“We are purposefully helping to create an exclusive platform for industry leaders, because the future of automotive safety and autonomy is born through close collaboration and shared know-how. The success of the first VIL Tour confirmed the strong market interest in combining real-world testing with simulation. Here at the AUREL Proving Ground, we are demonstrating that the Czech Republic has the potential to become a key European player in this high-tech discipline,” said Zdeněk Svoboda, Head of AUREL’s testing proving ground.
Bridging Industry and Academia
Collaboration with universities plays a vital role in the development of advanced technologies. This is demonstrated not only by the partnership with Brno University of Technology, but also by the participation of the eForce Prague Formula autonomous racing team from Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT). This student team regularly tests and develops its race cars for the Formula Student international competition at the AUREL Proving Ground. Such initiatives enhance the site’s significance as a key facility for both commercial and academic research.
About AUREL CZ
AUREL CZ Ltd. is a Czech development, innovation, and manufacturing company and a member of Colegium Holding. In addition to its development and testing facilities, it operates a state-of-the-art testing proving ground in Břehyně near Doksy – a professional technology complex for Czech and international developers and technical experts in the automotive industry.
About Brno University of Technology (VUT)
Brno University of Technology (VUT) is the oldest university in Brno, with a tradition dating back to 1899. The university is internationally recognised for its research excellence and places strong emphasis on collaboration between academia, industry, and applied research sectors.
About Datron Technology
DATRON-TECHNOLOGY Ltd. has been active in the Czech and Slovak markets since 1995. The company specialises in providing solutions for vehicle dynamics measurement and is a key partner in automotive development, testing, and validation.
Media contact: Eva Šimáková
High-resolution photos and videos from the event are available for download here.