Industrial Robots as an unusual measuring tool for testing radar sensors

Modern vehicles rely on radar sensors for advanced driver assistance and autonomous functions. To ensure these sensors perform flawlessly, NOFFZ Technologies developed the Universal Tester Platform (UTP) – a cutting-edge solution for testing and calibrating radar systems.

Modern radar sensors in cars are becoming more complex, often made up of many antennas and built-in signal processing. These sensors need to be tested and calibrated during production to ensure they work reliably. NOFFZ Technologies developed the Universal Tester Platform (UTP) to automate this process.
In earlier versions, the test objects could only be tilted in two directions—horizontal and vertical. But today’s radar sensors require more advanced testing: the test object must move around both axes at the same time to simulate the full field of view. This makes the positioning and movement of the sensors in the test chamber much more demanding.

To solve the challenge, NOFFZ chose to use Mitsubishi Electric’s MELFA-FR industrial robots in their test system. These robots move the radar sensors with extremely high precision—just like a measuring tool. During the test, the robot rotates the sensor exactly around its center point, which is crucial for accurate calibration.
The robot is controlled in real time by a special controller, and an embedded system calculates the exact movements needed. This ensures the sensor is tested in a way that reflects real driving conditions. The best part? The whole process is easy to start and manage through a simple touch display—no extra programming needed.

• Fast, automated calibration in seconds
• High repeatability and accuracy
• Easy operation via touch interface
• Universal system adaptable to various radar modules
• No programming required after commissioning