Parallel Domain joins Mcity to power simulations on PD Replica digital twin

Parallel Domain, a leader in simulation and autonomous system testing, proudly announces it is now a member of the Mcity public-private mobility partnership based at the University of Michigan. Mcity partners from industry, government and academia are forward-thinking technology leaders shaping the future of autonomous mobility.

In its collaboration with Mcity, Parallel Domain will leverage its groundbreaking PD Replica technology, a scene reconstruction technology that provides pixel-accurate digital twins of real-locations from images and enables users to re-simulate scenarios via an API. PD Replica locations can be used for both closed-loop and open-loop simulation testing. Integrating PD Replica and simulation testing capabilities with Mcity’s extensive resources and research expertise will help accelerate the safe and scalable development of autonomous vehicles.

“This partnership with Mcity will help us push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology by providing our users with an at-scale, high-fidelity digital twin of the Mcity Test Facility, a purpose-built proving ground for testing connected and automated vehicles and technologies. Our team has shown that these digital twins have significantly reduced domain gap compared to other simulation approaches, enabling valuable virtual testing and evaluation. We’re eager to see its impact amplified through Mcity’s partner ecosystem,” said Kevin McNamara, CEO and Founder of Parallel Domain.

Parallel Domain provides an API-driven simulation platform that enables the rigorous testing of autonomous systems in diverse, customizable, and high-fidelity virtual environments. The release of PD Replica locations ensures more robust validation processes, bridging gaps between real-world testing and simulation.

“We’re excited to generate a PD Replica of the Mcity Test Facility and open it up to both the research community and industry leaders to advance their testing,” said McNamara.

Through this partnership, Parallel Domain and Mcity aim to:

• Enhance the fidelity and scalability of autonomous vehicle simulations
• Drive innovation in safety-critical system validation
• Advance industry standards for simulation testing

“We’re delighted to welcome Parallel Domain as a member of Mcity,” said Mcity Director Henry Liu. “Adding new tools to Mcity’s testing capabilities, such as the high-fidelity digital twin of the Mcity test track that Parallel Domain will create using its PD Replica technology, will help us achieve our shared goal of safely accelerating AV development.”

About Mcity

Mcity at the University of Michigan is a makerspace for mobility innovation. Home to world-renowned researchers, a one-of-a-kind test facility and AI-powered data capabilities, we bring together industry, government, and academia from across disciplines to advance transportation safety, sustainability, equity, and accessibility.