Buick duplicates toughest roads in the world for virtual testing

Buick is cloning real-world roads so they can be used to virtual test cars.

Engineers use cameras and a laser to scan the road surface and to create a three-dimensional virtual copy.

Buick has used this system to replicate the road leading to the Cerro del Cubilete shrine in Mexico. The stone road, notorious for making cars squeak, rattle and vibrate, twists its way up to the shrine

“Customers who drive on that road complain about steering rack noise,” said Mine Tasci, an engineer who helped develop the system. “That's why we wanted to recreate this road so that we can test and ensure that our vehicles are up to the challenge of driving on roads like this one.”

By Brad Constant