What if a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator used to rigorously and automatically test tractor ECUs could also provide drivers with a virtual experience to accelerate innovation?

At Valtra, what began as a digital twin for ECU software validation has evolved into an advanced driver-in-the-loop simulator. By adopting Speedgoat’s HIL test system, Valtra not only accelerated software validation but also unlocked new possibilities for immersive operator training and mechanic fault diagnosis — without needing physical tractors.

“Leveraging model-based design with Speedgoat’s HIL test system allowed us to scale and automate our rigorous ECU testing, allowing us to continuously integrate and test new features,” says Olli Kauppinen, head of Valtra’s software validation team. "And as we added environmental simulations to our multi-domain models, we’re now even able to collect operator feedback for every design iteration, further accelerating our pace of innovation."

Modern tractors rely heavily on complex, multi-ECU architectures, demanding extensive verification and validation. Valtra’s primary challenge was to comprehensively test ECU software under real-world conditions while engaging operators and mechanics early in development — all without relying on physical tractor prototypes.

Valtra chose a Speedgoat HIL simulator to quickly scale and automate ECU testing while also further expanding testing to incorporate drivers in the loop. The Speedgoat HIL system provides:

- Deterministic real-time simulation of the tractor’s components and multi-ECU CAN networks.

- Scalable and modular hardware, enabling simulation of multiple tractor configurations and operational scenarios.

- A seamless workflow combining Simulink^® and test automation environments.

“We could easily integrate the Speedgoat HIL simulator into our existing testing infrastructure,” says Kauppinen, adding that “it allowed us to go beyond our initial use case of ECU test automation.”

Valtra’s HIL simulator provides multiple innovation-driving benefits, including:

- Accelerated ECU Prototyping: Automating early-stage ECU software validation has notably reduced development time and associated costs.

- Streamlined Integration: Engineers can focus on control development and testing rather than system setup, boosting productivity.

- Interactive Virtual Test Drives: Operators can safely gain hands-on driving experience while experiencing latest features, and mechanics can virtually diagnose faults, enabling safer and more effective feedback from drivers and troubleshooting.

Overall, Speedgoat's HIL simulators enable Valtra to further reinforce their position as a leading innovator in tractor development.