We were honored to have Fernando Saito from General Motors present at the 2026 SIMULIA Americas Users Conference in Novi, Michigan, May 13-14, 2026.
Abstract:
Aerodynamics has become a critical focus area for modern vehicle development, particularly for electric vehicles, where aerodynamic performance can account for an estimated 30–40% of overall driving range. This importance is accelerating a shift away from development processes centered on physical wind-tunnel testing toward workflows built on advanced virtual tools. Traditionally, aerodynamicists and designers collaborated in the wind tunnel, iterating vehicle surfaces in real time to balance drag reduction with styling intent. While effective, this hands-on approach was constrained by physical hardware, limited flow visualization, and the need for all stakeholders to be co‑located.
Today, high‑fidelity virtual aerodynamic development tools enable detailed simulation and visualization of flow behavior from concept through production. Engineers can access essentially unlimited flow visualization, including complex unsteady features and underbody structures that are difficult or impossible to observe in physical tests. This virtual workflow streamlines development, expands diagnostic capability, and creates new opportunities for cross‑functional collaboration.
A key innovation in this space is the integration of virtual reality (VR) into the aerodynamic development process. Immersive VR environments allow engineers and designers to experience flow fields in true three dimensions, revealing flow structures and interactions that may be overlooked in conventional 2D visualizations. Complex phenomena such as unsteady wakes, stagnation regions, and underbody flow features can be explored more intuitively, supporting faster root‑cause identification and more targeted surface modifications. VR also enables real‑time, multi‑user collaboration across locations: participants can join the same virtual review, interact with the same flow solution, annotate regions of interest, and observe changes to geometry and flow responses together.
During a VR review, teams can visually assess aerodynamic performance and directly connect “what they see” in the flow field to “what they change” on the surface. Users can follow the viewpoint of a lead reviewer, which improves communication, reduces the learning curve for those new to VR navigation, and ensures that all participants share a common visual reference. In this context, SIMULIA has developed VR software in conjunction with GM to support product development reviews, enabling multiple users to access and interrogate the same flow solution simultaneously. By combining this capability with other virtual development tools, the approach improves the efficiency and quality of aerodynamic decision‑making while fostering a more innovative, collaborative culture for future mobility development.
Presenter:
Fernando Saito
Aerodynamics Engineer - General Motors
Fernando Saito is a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer at General Motors with over 20 years of experience in vehicle aerodynamic development, having contributed to more than 25 production and performance models across cars, trucks, and SUVs. He holds a Master of Global Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering – Energy Systems from the University of Michigan, MBA from – EAESP/FGV, and a PEER-R Aeronautics Post-Graduation Engineering specialization in general aeronautics engineering with emphasis on ice protection systems from EMBRAER / ITA / UNICAMP. He has earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP – Guaratinguetá).
