Combining Real and Virtual Worlds

Makes lots of sense.  Essentially leads to simulation and construction of portfolios of test scenarios.

Combining Real, Virtual Worlds Improves Driverless Vehicle Testing

University of Michigan

Researchers at the University of Michigan's Mcity Test Facility are using augmented reality (AR) to create a faster, more efficient, and economical approach to testing connected and automated vehicles. The researchers found AR technology can accelerate testing of connected and automated vehicles by up to 100,000 times, depending on different testing scenarios. In addition, the method can reduce additional testing costs to almost zero. The team created an AR environment where real vehicles can interact with and react to computer-generated vehicles in real time via connected vehicle communications. The University of Michigan's Henry Liu said the new procedure "has the added benefit of allowing us to build a virtual library of computer-generated traffic scenarios that can be practiced without risk of damage or human injuries." .... '