1. Introduction

The major societal challenges have significant effect on how the automotive industry is evolving. Automotive CO2 emissions contribute to global warming. OEMs are addressing such requirements by implementing downsizing concepts, electric mobility (particularly in megacities), hybrid powertrain concepts or by employing alternative energy resources (e.g. bio-fuels) or electric vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells. Growing urbanization is leading to bigger and bigger cities. With space being one of the most valuable resources in rapidly expanding megacities, new concepts are required to ensure the continuation of individual mobility. Therefore automakers are developing self-parking systems, automatic cruise control technologies up to fully automated vehicles. The growing vehicle density, coupled with a rising proportion of aging people, is leading to a hugely increased risk of traffic accidents. Again, the automotive industry is responding by offering innovative ADAS functions. This growing pressure to innovate together with the demand for shorter development cycles, along with new statutory rules, require changes in the powertrain development methodology. As a result, there are shifts in the tasks of test bed systems as simulation and real component testing merge more and more.