SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 6, 2025 – Imagine test-driving your future car through the rolling hills and winding roads of rural England—all from a digital screen. Simulation software expert rFpro has brought that vision to life with the launch of its most detailed virtual driving environment yet: a 17.5-kilometer digital twin of the scenic Harbury road network in Warwickshire, UK.
This immersive model isn't just a pretty backdrop—it’s a powerful tool set to transform the way vehicles are developed, tested, and refined. Whether it's tuning ride comfort, advancing autonomous driving, or fine-tuning headlights for winding roads, rFpro's new model delivers the closest experience to real-world driving, without leaving the simulator.
Designed for Precision, Built for Innovation
Developed using ultra-precise survey-grade lidar data, the Harbury digital twin captures every bump, curve, and crack in the road with astonishing accuracy—within just 1 millimeter in height variation.
What makes it so game-changing?
- Includes over 230 realistic buildings and 2,000 roadside objects
- Features 190 selectable parking spots and 660 drain covers
- Integrates 2,900 uniquely painted road markings spanning 44km
- Simulates British B-roads, potholes, speed bumps, cat’s eyes, and even bridge expansion gaps
This level of detail allows engineers to replicate real-world driving conditions and test vehicle responses in a safe, repeatable, and controlled environment.
A Playground for Autonomous Driving and ADAS Testing
Beyond traditional vehicle dynamics, the Harbury model is a proving ground for the future of mobility—autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). With a complex mix of roundabouts, junctions, and unpredictable road layouts, it’s an ideal environment to simulate edge-case scenarios and validate safety systems.
“Subjecting machine learning algorithms to variety is critical to avoid overfitting the perception model,” said Josh Wreford, AV Elevate product manager at rFpro. “For example, if you only subject a perception model to pedestrians in regular clothing, it will be confused when it comes across a worker in a high-visibility jacket.”
That’s why the Harbury model is “perfectly imperfect.” From faded road signs to misaligned markings, the model includes the irregularities that vehicles are likely to encounter on actual roads—making it far more than a clean simulation. It’s a digital reflection of reality.
Control Every Detail—From Dirt on Cars to Time of Day
With rFpro’s AV Elevate platform, users can customize nearly every element of their simulation:
- Change pedestrian outfits and vehicle colors
- Add or remove traffic and parked cars
- Alter weather, lighting, and even how dirty each car is
This flexibility ensures that machine learning models are trained on diverse, lifelike scenarios, preparing them for the unpredictable nature of real-world driving.
Now Available for Automotive Innovators
The Harbury model is the latest addition to rFpro’s growing library of over 190 digital environments, including proving grounds and race circuits. Already adopted by a major UK carmaker, the model is available now for use in vehicle development and research.
Whether you're building the next great sports car or working on life-saving autonomous systems, rFpro's Harbury digital twin is your ticket to safer, smarter, and more efficient mobility innovation.
Learn more at https://www.rfpro.com.