A new approach to automotive testing with Lenovo ThinkStation Px at VUT Brno, Czechia
Brno University of Technology (BUT) has expanded its research and learning possibilites thanks to new automotive headed hardware. Key addition to their equipment is the ThinkStation Px workstation from Lenovo, which is perfect for ADAS or AV testing. Besides that, we also delivered 26 high-performance mobile workstations Lenovo ThinkPad P16s for a new bachelor’s study program “Advanced automotive engineering”.
Supplied equipment
For the needs of Brno University of Technology (BUT), a Lenovo ThinkStation PX workstation, specially equipped for artificial intelligence applications and real-time processing of data from cameras and lidars, was provided as part of the tender. In addition, high-performance mobile workstations were also delivered, with preference given to the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 models. Below, let’s take a closer look at each model.
Lenovo ThinkStation Px
This station will be a key tool for BUT in testing and developing automotive technologies, including simulations of vehicle behaviour and analysis of camera and lidar data. Configuration of the supplied device:
Lenovo ThinkStation Px
Lenovo ThinkStation PX is one of Lenovo’s most powerful desktop workstations. Its design allows for flexible placement – the model can be installed on a desktop or horizontally in a rack, where it takes up 5U of space. A pair of 1850W Platinum Hot-swap power supplies deliver high efficiency and reliability with on-the-fly replacement.
Testing and development of automotive technologies
This station will be a key tool for BUT in testing and developing automotive technologies, including simulations of vehicle behaviour and analysis of camera and lidar data.
Below you can see a new approach to testing the cars of the future using ThinkStation PX. An example of the simulation results in IPG CarMaker software is shown in the picture on the right. The IPG CarMaker software takes full advantage of the display acceleration provided by ThinkStation PX using the UNREAL Engine known from computer games. The image shows a digital twin of a real Skoda Enyaq from the Institute of Automotive and Traffic Engineering, where a scenario is being tested to see if the vehicle, in conjunction with V2X and V2V technologies, will detect a moving pedestrian hidden behind the vehicle and if ADAS will correctly intervene and stop the vehicle.
Computing power and timeless design
Lenovo ThinkStation PX is suitable not only for academic use, but also for a wider range of users, from private companies to individual professionals. Its computing power makes it a great tool for machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. At the same time, it provides sufficient capacity to process complex datasets and run demanding applications. Thanks to a collaboration between Aston Martin and Lenovo engineers, the workstation gets a timelessly sleek chassis design with eye-catching red elements, as well as an enhanced cooling architecture for maximum performance.
In this context, it is also worth mentioning the recent introduction of workstations with AMD Threadripper processors, which bear the name Lenovo ThinkStation P8. This portfolio expansion will allow additional customers to customize configuration choices to their unique needs and requirements, opening up new opportunities for maximum performance and productivity.
Conclusion
Thanks to this cooperation, BUT has acquired advanced technologies and opened the door to innovation in research and development in the automotive industry. With this equipment, BUT has powerful tools for testing and developing technologies that can contribute significantly to the future direction of automotive engineering.
This technology will be used in the teaching of the new MSc Advanced Automotive Engineering programme, which prepares the automotive engineers of the future by combining teaching in the Faculties of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Communication Technology and Information Technology.
Lenovo ThinkStation PX is one of Lenovo’s most powerful desktop workstations and with its performance, it can be a great tool for machine learning or data analytics. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 and Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 mobile workstations are a great choice, thanks to their great performance, long battery life, easy portability and great security. They are therefore the ideal companion for modern professionals on the go.
