Robot product development path · Gate 03

Simulation, integration & verification evidence

Use simulation as a controlled evidence instrument: expose assumptions, inject failures, compare against reality and preserve reproducible results.

Decision this gate must answerDoes the evidence show which requirements are closed, which remain uncertain and where simulation must yield to physical testing?

Inputs

Controlled information to bring in

  1. 01

    Controlled requirements and architecture baseline

  2. 02

    Calibrated robot, sensor, actuator and environment models

  3. 03

    Nominal, edge, misuse and fault scenarios

  4. 04

    Verification procedures, pass criteria and data-retention rules

Outputs

Artefacts that must be reviewable

  1. 01

    Versioned scenario and test catalogue

  2. 02

    Requirement-linked test reports and reproducible artefacts

  3. 03

    Model-correlation record and residual uncertainty

  4. 04

    Approved issues, waivers and physical-test backlog

Core work packages

Every workstream leaves traceable evidence.

01

Build a scenario portfolio

Cover nominal work, environmental variation, human interaction, sensor degradation, network loss, actuator faults and safe recovery.

02

Correlate models

Compare simulation with bench or prototype measurements for contact, timing, energy, sensors, control and failure behaviour.

03

Automate regression

Run a stable set of scenarios when code, models, parameters or components change; preserve seeds, environments and artefact versions.

04

Escalate to physical evidence

Use hardware-in-the-loop, bench rigs and guarded prototypes for effects that simulation cannot establish with sufficient confidence.

Gate review

Every answer should carry evidence, not only ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

  1. 01

    Is every result tied to exact code, model, scenario and parameter versions?

  2. 02

    Which physical phenomena are intentionally simplified or absent?

  3. 03

    Have rare hazards and recovery behaviour been exercised, not just average performance?

  4. 04

    Does model correlation cover the target operating range?

  5. 05

    Could an independent engineer reproduce the consequential results?

This page can support

  • 01Earlier discovery of integration and edge-case failures
  • 02Repeatable evidence across software changes
  • 03A disciplined physical-test plan

This page cannot replace

  • 01Material, fatigue and contact tests where models are insufficient
  • 02Human-subject or clinical validation
  • 03A safety case based only on successful simulated runs