At the formation of Stellantis, various modeling, simulation, and analysis tools were used across the vehicle development process. Unity in modeling was the primary goal in the creation of STLASim, a unified platform developed in the MATLAB® and Simulink® environment that integrates multiple tools and models to address inconsistencies in tool utilization across Stellantis. It combines different vehicle subsystems, such as propulsion and thermal mechanization, into one simulation environment. Users can select the appropriate fidelity of models (e.g., battery, motor, and engine) based on analysis needs, optimizing computational resources. It supports co-simulation with several commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software tools enhancing its versatility.
The platform features a user-friendly HMI that simplifies model configuration and data management. During development, various GUI frameworks were evaluated. MATLAB was ultimately chosen for its native Simulink integration, data processing capabilities, and cross-platform support. STLASim was developed with a structured release process, ensuring each version is fully validated. STLASim supports collaborative development with version control and repository planning, enabling data and model management. It also offers extensive training resources and user support through an online ticketing system. The platform is used throughout Stellantis’s vehicle development V-curve—from conceptualization and validation to virtual calibration—reducing the need for physical prototypes. STLASim is being adapted for high-performance cloud computing via AWS, further enhancing its efficiency. AI tools are also being integrated to improve simulation capabilities.
Overall, the MATLAB and Simulink environment has been crucial to STLASim’s success, providing a modular system with advanced features like reduced-order models, variant management, and cloud connectivity. With support from MathWorks, STLASim aims to become Stellantis’s unified simulation framework.
Sachin Bhide
Stellantis
Sachin Bhide is a manager at Stellantis and has spent 15 years in the industry working on hybrid and electric vehicle powertrains and control systems with a focus on simulation driven engineering. He was part of the teams that designed and developed the FIAT 500 electric, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid eVT powertrain, rear wheel hybrid systems, and 4Xe powertrain systems inside Stellantis. This included powertrain architecture selection, component sizing, and calibration done in virtual environment. Sachin led global teams that developed powertrain analysis tools and their applications ranging from powertrain architecture selection, design, component sizing to controls and calibrations. He believes that many activities related to vehicle controller design and calibrations can be done on computers, saving time, cost and effort. Sachin holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Michigan Dearborn and is pursuing a Ph.D. part-time at Oakland University.
Vladimir Samokhin
Stellantis
Vladimir Samokhin is the engineering team lead responsible for developing the user interface and automation software for propulsion system simulation at Stellantis. Prior to the creation of Stellantis, Vladimir was a software developer working on FCA’s global CO2 simulation suite, developing both the simulation framework and models. He performed powertrain matching analysis for Chrysler LLC and developed controls at FEV, Inc. for a hydraulic hybrid vehicle. Vladimir has an M.S. in mechatronics from Oakland University and a B.S. in electrical and computer engineering from Rutgers University.