ENVITED-X Ontologies and
Metadata Descriptions
20 January 2026 | 5 p.m. CET | online
Efficient use, exchange, and reuse of simulation, testing, and development data require consistent, understandable, and machine-readable metadata descriptions. This is precisely where the ENVITED-X Ontologies come into play.
In this webinar, data providers, end users, data managers, as well as simulation and development professionals will receive a practical overview of the structure, content, and potential applications of the ENVITED-X Ontologies. We will demonstrate how the ontologies can be used both in the ENVITED-X Data Space and in company-specific databases to provide consistent, traceable metadata and help eliminate data silos.
The ontologies form the foundation for semantic interoperability, automated data processing, and traceable data quality throughout virtual development and validation processes.
Participants will learn how these Ontologies and Self Descriptions support the preparation of data in a clear and machine-readable format, enabling automated processing, verification, and efficient reuse. The webinar focuses on practical applications and benefits for data providers (simpler provisioning and integration) as well as end users (improved discoverability and utilization of data).
The ENVITED-X Ontologies can be applied to a wide range of data classes, including
- ASAM OpenDRIVE (HD maps)
- ASAM OpenSCENARIO (scenario descriptions)
- 3D environments
- Sensor simulation models
- ASAM OSI trace files
- ...
and are freely extendable to any other data categories required for simulation, testing, and validation workflows.
AGENDA
20 January 2026 | online
5:00 PM CEST
Welcome & Introduction
Alexander F. Walser | ASCS e.V.
5:05 PM
ENVITED-X Ontologies and
Metadata Descriptions
Carlo van Driesten | BMW AG
Alexander F. Walser | ASCS e.V.
5:35 PM
Q&A
Ask the speakers
6:00 PM
End
Participation is free of charge.
SPEAKERS
Carlo van Driesten is a systems architect at BMW Group, where he has played a pioneering role in shaping the virtual test and validation ecosystem for automated driving. He is the author of the Open Simulation Interface (OSI), a widely adopted interface for integrating environment-perceiving sensor models into simulation toolchains.
He also initiated and established ASAM OpenX as the umbrella framework for standardized interfaces and data formats supporting virtual validation of automated and autonomous driving functions. In addition, Carlo co-founded the ENVITED ecosystem at the Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS), creating the first distributed data space for simulation data and models for Level 4+ automated vehicles, enabled by novel blockchain-based technologies.
Before joining BMW, Carlo worked in software development at Rohde & Schwarz. He holds an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
Alexander F. Walser is Managing Director of the Automotive Solution Center for Simulation (ASCS), a European non-profit research and innovation association bringing together over 60 companies and research institutions to advance simulation-driven mobility development. With more than 14 years at ASCS, he leads strategic R&D projects and collaborative initiatives focused on data-driven simulation, virtual validation, high-performance computing, and AI.
He is the initiator and operator of the ENVITED research cluster, which accelerates the adoption of advanced simulation technologies for automated and connected vehicles through a shared data space, open model libraries, and traceable virtual evidence processes.
Alexander studied Civil Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.) with a focus on Modeling and Simulation Technologies at the University of Stuttgart.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The target audience for this webinar is professionals involved in simulation, testing, and development data management and usage. Specifically, it includes:
- Data providers - those who generate, supply, or manage simulation, testing, or development data, who can benefit from easier provisioning, consistent metadata, and integration.
- End users - engineers, researchers, or simulation specialists who consume data and want improved discoverability, usability, and traceable quality.
- Data managers - people responsible for organizing, maintaining, and ensuring quality and interoperability of company or project datasets.
- Simulation and development professionals - anyone working with virtual development, scenario testing, sensor simulation, or related workflows who can leverage semantic interoperability and machine-readable data descriptions.
In short, the webinar is aimed at anyone
interested in making simulation and testing data more consistent, interoperable, and reusable, from the technical hands-on users to the organizational managers overseeing data workflows.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Understanding ENVITED-X Ontologies - Learn the structure, content, and purpose of the ontologies for simulation, testing, and development data.
- Practical Application - See how the ontologies can be applied both in the ENVITED-X Data Space and in company-specific databases.
- Consistent, Machine-Readable Metadata - Learn how to prepare data in a standardized, understandable format that supports automated processing and traceable quality.
- Improved Data Sharing and Reuse - Understand how the ontologies help eliminate data silos, improve discoverability, and facilitate efficient reuse of simulation and testing data.
- Support for Multiple Data Types - Discover how the ontologies can be applied to ASAM OpenDRIVE, OpenSCENARIO, 3D environments, sensor simulation models, ASAM OSI trace files, and other data relevant to development workflows.
- Benefits for Different Roles - Gain insights on how both data providers (simpler provisioning and integration) and end users (better access and utilization) can benefit.
- Foundation for Automation and Interoperability - Understand how semantic interoperability enables automated data processing, verification, and traceable virtual development and validation.
