Lilium adopts Speedgoat for aircraft controller certification
Lilium has partnered with hardware-in-the-loop specialist Speedgoat for testing and certification of its eVTOL controllers, with Speedgoat’s test systems to serve as digital twins of the Lilium Jet’s subsystems.
“Speedgoat test systems (HIL simulators) enable our engineers to streamline the innovation of our eVTOL controllers and support controller development along our entire workflow,” said Martin Schuebel, head of procurement at Lilium. “The technical expertise from the Speedgoat team remains invaluable in our engineering vision to advance regional air mobility”.
Speedgoat’s hardware-in-the-loop solutions “bestow Lilium jet engineers the freedom to innovate and validate controller software in accordance with the airworthiness type-certification standards set by aviation regulators,” explained Speedgoat.
Lilium is currently pursuing current type certification with both EASA and the FAA. “Lilium engineers deploy plant models directly from Simulink onto Speedgoat test systems that behave as digital twins of the Lilium Jet components against which aircraft controllers are continuously tested until full certification,” explains Speedgoat, which cites the ongoing collaboration as helping Lilium secure initial certification basis from both regulators swiftly.
Creating a “realistic test environment for the controllers” reduces time, cost and risk, added Speedgoat, which continues to prepare for the next certification milestone: an ‘e-bird,’ described as a “functional replica of the complete, fully integrated aircraft”.
Lilium is hoping to make its first crewed flight in early 2025.
