What we deliver
Bench specification
Signal list, I/O counts and types, electrical loads, bus interfaces, fault-insertion needs and real-time budget, written as a procurement-ready requirements document.
Platform selection support
Comparison of dSPACE SCALEXIO, NI PXI with VeriStand, Vector VT System and Speedgoat against your I/O, model and toolchain constraints. You buy and own the hardware.
Plant models
Vehicle, powertrain, battery, motor and sensor models in MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE ASM or IPG CarMaker, parameterised and validated for real-time execution.
I/O, harness and fault insertion
Harness and break-out box design, real and simulated loads, and fault insertion for shorts to battery and ground, open circuits and pin-to-pin faults.
Integration and commissioning
Model and I/O configuration, restbus simulation, signal-by-signal checks against the specification and an acceptance report before the bench enters service.
Maintenance
Model and configuration updates for new ECU releases, calibration tracking, spares lists and remote support, so the rig stays available for regression.
HIL platforms our engineers work with
| Platform | Typical use | Configuration and test tools |
|---|---|---|
| dSPACE SCALEXIO | Automotive ECU and multi-ECU HIL, electric drive and BMS benches | ConfigurationDesk, ControlDesk, AutomationDesk, ASM models |
| NI PXI with VeriStand | Flexible HIL and validation benches across automotive, aerospace and industrial | VeriStand, TestStand, LabVIEW |
| Vector VT System | Network-centric ECU test benches with I/O and fault insertion | CANoe, vTESTstudio |
| Speedgoat | Simulink-based real-time HIL and rapid control prototyping | Simulink Real-Time, MATLAB |
How we work
01
Specify
Agree what the bench must test, derive the signal list and I/O, and write the bench requirements.
02
Design
Select the platform, design harness, loads and fault insertion, and set plant-model fidelity and step sizes.
03
Integrate
Build models and configuration, connect the ECU and harness, and set up restbus and diagnostics.
04
Commission
Verify every signal against the specification, check real-time margins and run a pilot test suite.
05
Operate and maintain
Hand over with documentation, then update models and configuration as ECU software and hardware change.
Where this fits
A commissioned bench is the starting point for automotive testing and test automation. For how HIL compares with MIL and SIL, see HIL/SIL testing and the glossary entries for HIL testing and SIL testing. BMS and inverter benches are common on EV and BMS programmes.
Demand for HIL capacity keeps growing even as virtual ECUs spread: one estimate from Global Market Insights puts the HIL testing market at $1.27 bn in 2025 and $2.61 bn by 2034.
Toolchains our engineers work with
- dSPACE ASM
- dSPACE ConfigurationDesk
- dSPACE ControlDesk
- dSPACE SCALEXIO
- ecu.test
- IPG CarMaker
- MATLAB/Simulink
- NI PXI
- NI VeriStand
- Simulink Real-Time
- Speedgoat
- Vector CANoe
- Vector VT System
Related work
Case studies →Fuzz and penetration testing an industrial gateway for the Cyber Resilience Act and IEC 62443-4-2
A recurring security test cycle for an industrial gateway: fuzzing, penetration tests and SBOMs mapped to IEC 62443-4-2 and the CRA.
Planning MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461 pre-compliance for an indigenised rugged subsystem
Tailoring MIL-STD-810H and 461 requirements, writing procedures, running pre-scans and preparing a rugged LRU for its accredited lab campaign.
Closing DO-178C structural coverage with independent verification for a DAL B component
Independent verification closes statement and decision coverage, coupling analysis and tool qualification for a DAL B software component.
Further reading
All insights →Hiring AUTOSAR and SDV engineers in India in 2026–27: skills, notice periods and ramp planning
Where AUTOSAR and SDV engineers are in India, the skills worth screening for, and how to plan around 60–90-day notice periods.
Building an engineering or test team for a mid-market GCC in India
Ramp waves, dedicated team vs Build-Operate-Transfer, governance and the measures that matter for a mid-market GCC's engineering or test team.
Euro NCAP 2026 ADAS Testing: What Changes for SIL/HIL Test Plans and Test Capacity
Euro NCAP 2026 multiplies ADAS test variations. How to restructure SIL/HIL plans around ISO 34502 and OpenSCENARIO, and plan the capacity.
Frequently asked questions
How do we choose between dSPACE, NI, Vector and Speedgoat?
Start from the I/O, the models and the toolchain your team already runs. dSPACE SCALEXIO is common for automotive ECU HIL with ASM models; NI PXI with VeriStand suits mixed-domain benches and teams on LabVIEW or TestStand; Vector VT System fits network-centric benches built around CANoe; Speedgoat suits Simulink-heavy teams. A bench specification makes the comparison concrete.
Do you supply the HIL hardware?
Normally you buy the rig hardware from the platform vendor and own it, which keeps warranty, calibration and licences in your name. We write the specification used for procurement, review vendor proposals against it, and do the integration, commissioning and maintenance.
Do we still need HIL if we run virtual ECUs in CI?
For most ECUs, yes. Virtual ECUs cover functional regression early and cheaply, but HIL is where the real microcontroller, I/O drivers, analogue signals, power behaviour and electrical faults are exercised. Teams that adopt virtual ECUs usually need fewer HIL hours per release, so bench count can be planned from the residual HIL test list.
How long does it take to set up a HIL bench?
It depends on I/O count, model fidelity, the number of ECUs and vendor lead times for hardware, which are often the longest item. Specification and model work can run while hardware is on order. We give a milestone plan once the signal list and scope are agreed, rather than a fixed figure up front.
Can you take over maintenance of an existing rig?
Yes. We start with an audit of models, configuration, wiring documentation and test suites, record undocumented changes, then take on updates for new ECU variants and software releases. Remote access suits most configuration and model work; hardware changes need someone at the bench, either your technician or our engineer on site.
Can a HIL bench be shared between teams or run remotely?
Yes, with scheduling and access control. Benches can be registered as CI runners, booked through a queue and operated remotely over a secured connection, with automated power control and health checks. Remote operation from Bengaluru works well for regression and debug; harness changes still need local hands.
Can we hire HIL engineers instead?
Yes. We recruit HIL, plant-modelling and test automation engineers on contract, contract-to-hire or permanent terms. Candidates are screened on hands-on rig, model and scripting experience. See hire test engineers and automotive engineers.
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