What is good about using HPC for the automotive industry? Explaining its outline and benefits

Table of contents

What is HPC?

It is abbreviated as “HPC”, which stands for “High Performance Computing ” . As you can imagine from the word, it refers to a computer that can demonstrate high performance, and is characterized by having advanced computational processing capabilities.

HPC is already being used in a variety of fields, including space exploration, large-scale genome analysis processing, and power energy optimization. In the automotive industry, HPC is mainly used for CAE to perform fluid analysis, nonlinear structural analysis, collision analysis, etc.

CAE is a system that can simulate various scenes on a monitor. Based on the input data, it is possible to verify the durability of parts and simulate car collisions. However, although CAE is an excellent simulation system, a high-performance computer is essential for stress-free operation. Because it requires a huge amount of calculation, CAE cannot be fully utilized unless the computer is capable of high-speed processing.

For these reasons, the automotive industry has begun implementing HPC. So, what kind of benefits can companies involved in the automotive industry gain by using HPC? Let’s take a closer look next.

Benefits of using HPC in the automotive industry

Major benefits include lower costs, improved productivity in research and development, and faster design and testing. We will explain the specific benefits of each.

Realization of cost reduction

A major advantage is the ability to reduce the overall cost of designing, developing, and manufacturing vehicle bodies and parts. If CAE is operated on HPC, which is expected to provide high performance, it will be possible to perform all sorts of simulations during the design process, eliminating the need to use actual equipment.

CAE can perform collision analysis, fluid analysis, nonlinear structural analysis, etc., but all of these require a huge amount of calculation. With HPC that can achieve high-speed processing, CAE can be operated without problems and simulations can be performed assuming all kinds of scenarios.

For example, even a single crash test can place a considerable financial burden on a company. We manufacture the prototype machines necessary for experiments, but of course one machine is not enough. Multiple prototype machines are required to repeatedly verify and improve the system while extracting data. By operating CAE on HPC, you can perform simulations on a monitor, which can significantly reduce these costs.

In addition, by introducing HPC, CAE, and CAD, you can also reduce physical space. A huge number of drawings can be digitized without the need for separate storage space. Since simulations can be performed on a monitor, there is no need for space dedicated to manufacturing or storing prototypes, resulting in total cost reductions.

Increased R&D productivity

HPC, which can perform complex and huge amounts of calculations in a short time, can also be expected to improve productivity in research and development. At the research and development stage, experiments and verification are performed using a variety of data. If it were to be executed on a computer with limited processing power, design and testing would take an unnecessarily long time, which could hinder smooth commercialization.

With its advanced processing power, HPC enables faster design and testing. The design and testing of automobiles and related parts is often repeated over and over again, so a lack of computer processing power can reduce productivity. By utilizing HPC, these situations can be avoided.

Speed ​​up design and testing

If design and testing take too long, you will never be able to move on to the manufacturing process. If you can’t move on to the manufacturing process, you won’t be able to sell your product. However, in order to ensure product performance and safety, it is common to spend a considerable amount of time on design and testing.

The desire of those working in the field is to complete the design and testing process as quickly as possible, but it is not that easy. For example, just a simulation using CAE generates tens to hundreds of exabytes of data, which requires a considerable amount of computer processing time.

Many automakers are implementing HPC to avoid this and speed up design and testing. HPC, which boasts advanced processing power, can significantly reduce the time required to perform simulations that require enormous amounts of calculations.

Additionally, data generated by simulation can be recalled quickly, improving operational efficiency. This will improve overall operational efficiency and lead to cost reductions.

Accelerate simulation

Simulation is an essential process in automobile development. In the past, simulations were often done using actual machines, but now we mainly use computers.

To ensure smooth product development and manufacturing, you can’t afford to spend too much time on simulation. However, computers and systems with low computing power inevitably take a long time.

With HPC, you can create an environment that allows you to smoothly complete simulations that are complex and require a huge amount of calculation. This speeds up the process from design to development, manufacturing, and sales, which also leads to cost reductions.

Digitizing the automotive industry with cloud HPC

Nowadays, everyone uses the Internet, and various cloud services have started to emerge. A service called “cloud HPC” has been attracting attention in the automotive industry in recent years.

Normally, if you want to equip your company with HPC, you have to build a large-scale system. However, it goes without saying that it costs a considerable amount of money to develop a properly operational HPC infrastructure. Moreover, in addition to dedicated space, highly skilled staff must also be on hand.

On the other hand, with cloud HPC, you can use the service as long as you have an environment that allows you to connect to the Internet. There is no need to go out of your way to build a large-scale system in-house. The advantage is that there is no need to hire staff with specialized skills at high salaries, and services can be used as needed. Consideration can be given to developing HPC infrastructure and hiring specialized staff, which can lead to significant cost reductions.

Advantages of cloud HPC

Since no HPC infrastructure is required, the initial cost of implementation can be significantly reduced. Basically, it is a system where you are charged only for what you use (pay-as-you-go system), so one advantage is that it is easy to understand the necessary costs.

Another advantage of using the cloud is that you can always use services in an up-to-date environment. Since the service provider updates the software from time to time, simulations and modeling can be performed in the latest environment. With in-house HPC, the expansion costs increase with each version upgrade, but you don’t have to worry about that.

Additionally, with in-house HPC, there are concerns about security and data preservation in the event of a disaster, but with the cloud, these issues can be resolved. Another benefit is that you can use it with confidence as we have a robust security and data protection system in place.

summary

With HPC, a variety of things can be done at minimal cost, and it is also possible to improve productivity and operational efficiency. Please take this opportunity to consider implementing HPC, which has many benefits. In addition, a movement toward cloud HPC is beginning to become noticeable in the automotive industry. Why not consider cloud HPC as well?