Apparatus and method for automatically testing infotainment systems in motor vehicles - Patents.com

Abstract

An apparatus (1) and associated method for automatically testing an infotainment system of a motor vehicle (V) comprises: a first multi-axis articulated robot (2) including a chain of robotic elements (21, 22, 23) articulated to one another and terminating in a robot wrist (24); a second multi-axis articulated robot (3) mounted on the wrist (24) of the first robot (2), the second robot (3) being configured to enter a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle (V).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for automatically testing the infotainment system of a motor vehicle. The expression "infotainment system" means an information and entertainment system integrated into the instrument panel mounted on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, comprising for example a multimedia system equipped with a responsive touch screen device containing various multimedia contents (radio, satellite navigator, digital climate control system, smartphone interface, etc.).

[0002] prior art An apparatus of the type indicated above is described, for example, in the document US 2016 / 0271801 A1, which in fact describes in particular an inspection system for motor vehicles, for testing various components, such as buttons and touch screens associated with the steering wheel, the system comprising actuator means for actuating the component to be tested and an ultrasonic transducer for detecting the distance of the system from the component to be tested.

[0003] The present invention stems from the desire to create an apparatus of the type presented above that allows for increased flexibility and efficiency in performing test operations by arranging simple and intuitive pre-calibration operations, while allowing multiple test operations to be performed on an infotainment system with high accuracy and reproducibility.

[0004] OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The object of the present invention is therefore to produce a device of the type presented above which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and which has characteristics such as high flexibility and efficiency.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to create an apparatus of the type presented above, which allows a number of test operations to be performed on the infotainment system directly in the passenger compartment, regardless of the type of motor vehicle in which the infotainment system is installed, without the need to install a specific test bench for the infotainment system and / or without the need to remove parts of the motor vehicle in order to perform the test operations.

[0006] A further object of the invention is to create an apparatus of the type presented above which provides an automatic pre-calibration system that is highly intuitive for the operator and particularly easy to implement. Summary of the Invention

[0007] With a view to achieving these objects, the present invention provides a method for automatically testing an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: - a first multi-axis articulated robot comprising a chain of robotic elements articulated to one another and terminating in a robot wrist; - a second multi-axis articulated robot mounted on the wrist of the first robot, the second robot configured to enter the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; - actuation means supported by the second robot and configured to perform a plurality of actuation operations of the infotainment system of the motor vehicle, wherein the actuation means includes an element provided for interacting with a touch screen of the infotainment system; at least one video camera mounted on the second robot and configured to capture data of an interior of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle during a phase of performing a test operation of the infotainment system; - Electronic Control Unit - providing an apparatus having - driving an implementation step including a series of operations to be performed on the infotainment system by the actuation means, the second robot entering the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle to access the infotainment system to be tested; in such a way that the device is configured to perform a number of test operations of the infotainment system directly inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, without the need to provide a test bench for the infotainment system and / or without the need to remove parts of the motor vehicle in order to access the infotainment system, The present invention relates to a method for automatically testing an infotainment system of a motor vehicle.

[0008] The invention also relates to a device as claimed in claim 13.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the invention are set out in the dependent claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates a component configured to support a means with sensors for testing an infotainment system. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates a component configured to support a means with sensors for testing an infotainment system. [Figure 2C] 1 illustrates a component configured to support a means with sensors for testing an infotainment system. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a sensored means for testing an infotainment system. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a sensored means for testing an infotainment system. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the sensor-equipped means shown in FIG. 3B. [Figure 4] 5 illustrates different operational stages of a test operation of an infotainment system according to the device and method of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 5 illustrates operational stages of a test operation of an infotainment system according to the apparatus and method of the present invention. [Figure 6] 5 illustrates operational stages of a test operation of an infotainment system according to the apparatus and method of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5 illustrates operational stages of a test operation of an infotainment system according to the apparatus and method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] In the following description, various specific details are presented for the purpose of a thorough understanding of one or more example embodiments. An embodiment may be implemented without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments. Reference to an "embodiment" in the context of this specification indicates that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, phrases such as "in an embodiment" that may appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, certain features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in a suitable manner in one or more embodiments and / or may be associated with an embodiment in a different manner than as shown herein, for example, characteristics illustrated herein with respect to one drawing may be applied to one or more embodiments illustrated in a different figure.

[0012] The references provided herein are for convenience only and therefore do not define the scope or coverage of the present embodiments.

[0013] The drawing shows, by way of example, a device 1 according to the invention arranged for automatically testing the infotainment system of a motor vehicle V. The expression "infotainment system" refers to an information and entertainment system integrated into the instrument panel mounted on the dashboard of the motor vehicle and comprises, for example, a multimedia system equipped with a touch screen containing various multimedia contents (radio, satellite navigator, digital climate control system, smartphone interface, etc.).

[0014] In Figures 1, 2A and 5, the number 2 generally indicates a first multi-axis articulated robot comprising a base 20 and a chain of robot elements terminating in a robot wrist 24 articulated to one another and provided with flanges 8 for connecting additional robot assemblies.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the first articulated multi-axis robot 2 has a base 20 and a column 21 mounted to rotate on said base about a first vertically oriented axis. The first articulated robot 2 has an arm 22 mounted and articulated to the column 21 about a second horizontally oriented axis; reference number 23 denotes a forearm mounted on said arm 22. The forearm 23 is articulated about a third axis, also horizontally oriented; the forearm 23 also has the possibility of rotating about its longitudinal axis. The forearm 23 of the robot 2 is provided at its end with a wrist 24 mounted with the possibility of rotating about two mutually orthogonal axes. According to techniques known per se, each of the six axes of the first robot 2 is controlled by a respective electric motor M. The electric motors M of the robot 2 are controlled in a manner known per se by an electronic control system. A flange 8 is provided at the distal end of the wrist 24 of the first robot 2 for connecting another robotic assembly.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1, 2C and 5, the apparatus 1 comprises a second multi-axis articulated robot 3 mounted on the wrist 24 of the first articulated robot 2. The second robot 3 comprises a base element 30 and a chain of robot elements 31, 32, 33 articulated to one another and terminating in a wrist 34 provided with flanges for connecting functional assemblies arranged to perform test operations on the motor vehicle infotainment system V.

[0017] The moving parts of the robots 2, 3, some of which are indicated with M, are connected to each other by joints of known type, with respective electric motors associated with relative gear reduction transmissions. Preferably, said joints, or rather the relative motors M, are associated with relative transducers (not shown), for example of the encoder or resolver type, for position control. The movements of the robots 2, 3, or rather the operation of the motors and joints, are managed by an electronic control system, preferably located remotely with respect to the robots 2, 3 and connected to the electric / electronic components of said robots 2, 3 through wiring conductors.

[0018] Naturally, the structure and construction of the robots 2, 3 may be of any known type, and for this reason, details of their construction, such as the motors and electronic control systems driving the movements of the various elements of the robots, are not described or shown here, and also in order to make them more immediately and easily understandable by excluding these details in the drawings.

[0019] As will become clear from the following description, the second robot 3 is preferably configured to pass through an opening A in a side window B of the motor vehicle V intended to proceed with a test operation on the motor vehicle V without the need to open the side door of the motor vehicle (FIGS. 1, 6). For this reason, according to the example shown in the attached drawings, the second articulated robot 3 is smaller than the first robot 2. In other words, the first robot 2 is arranged to support and guide the second robot 3 inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle V in which the infotainment system to be tested is mounted.

[0020] Preferably, the second robot 3 is of the "collaborative" type and is at least partially provided with a sensor-equipped cover integrating sensor means, which may comprise contact sensor means suitable for detecting a contact or an impact between the robot 3 and a foreign object, and / or proximity sensor means suitable for detecting the presence of a foreign object within a distance substantially predetermined with respect to the manipulator robot, comprised for example between 0 and 15 / 20 cm. In various preferred embodiments, said cover integrates both contact sensor means and proximity sensor means.

[0021] The sensor-equipped cover may include multiple cover modules that may be made or assembled together to form as a whole a kind of body that covers at least a part of the movable structure of the manipulator robot 3.

[0022] According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the device 1 comprises actuation means 4 mounted on the wrist 34 of the second robot 3 and arranged to perform a number of actuation operations of the infotainment system of the motor vehicle V, simulating the actions of an operator's hands in order to test the system. In this regard, the actuation means 4 may comprise a sensored / tactile element or a load cell arranged to "touch" a capacitive touch screen of the infotainment system and to select different icons / commands.

[0023] 3A to 3C show different embodiments of actuation means 4, 4' connected to the wrist 34 of the second robot 3 and arranged to stimulate the infotainment system to perform specific test cycles.

[0024] According to what is shown in Fig. 3A, the actuation means 4 comprises a support 10 connected to the wrist of the second robot 3. From the support 10 extends at the distal end a pair of robot fingers 11, 12, each of which supports a terminal element 13 equipped with a cover film arranged for touching / scrolling the screen of the infotainment system. Preferably, the robot fingers 11, 12 are arranged in mutually symmetrical positions with respect to the main axis of the sensory means 4. Preferably, each of the robot fingers 11, 12 has a first element 11', 12' connected to the support 10 and a second element 11'', 12'' connected in an articulated manner to the first element 11', 12' and carrying said terminal element 13. It should be noted that the terminal element 13 can be joined by providing a single central actuation element. The fingers 11, 12 are also arranged for gripping objects in the passenger compartment and / or for pressing buttons, control elements on the dashboard.

[0025] Figures 3B, 3C show a further embodiment of the actuation means (designated with reference number 4') in perspective and cross-sectional views. The actuation means 4' comprises a support 10' having a connection part 14' for connection to the wrist 34 of the robot 3 (for example by a connection flange). Extending from the support 10' is a support arm 15 to which a terminal element 16 is attached at its distal end and which is designed to apply stress to the infotainment system to be tested. According to what is shown in Figures 4B, 4C, the terminal element 16 is a cylindrical element covered with a plastic material that can facilitate interaction with the infotainment system.

[0026] As shown in cross-sectional view 3C, the spring element 7 is disposed within the support arm 15, is elastically yielding, is disposed axially along the support arm 15 and is arranged to cooperate with the terminal element 16 during interaction with the infotainment system and to accompany the terminal element 16 during the contact phase.

[0027] According to the invention, the device 1 is configured to perform test operations not only on the infotainment system but also on other components present inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle (dashboard buttons, adjustment sliders, etc.) In addition, for this reason the actuation means 4 may vary to arrange sensor-equipped elements of different shapes, numbers and sizes with respect to those shown in the attached drawings.

[0028] According to a unique feature of the invention, the device 1 comprises at least one video camera 5 mounted on the second articulated robot 3 and configured to acquire data of the interior of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle V during a pre-calibration phase of the device 1 and / or during a phase of running tests on the infotainment system. In one or more embodiments, the video camera 5 may be mounted in close proximity to the wrist 34 of the second robot 3, for example mounted on the support 10, 10' of the actuation means 4.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the device 1 also comprises at least one marker recognition element 6 arranged at a predetermined position of the motor vehicle V (FIG. 4). The recognition element 6 can be seen by the aforementioned at least one video camera 5 in order to carry out a preliminary calibration phase of the device 1. It is noted that the recognition element 6 can be made in the form of a specific two-dimensional shape automatically recognizable by the camera 5, or in the form of a QR code readable by the camera 5, which can be affixed to the motor vehicle V by means of an adhesive layer. As will become clear from the following description, the device 1 can comprise a further recognition element 9 (FIG. 7), for example affixed on the dashboard C of the vehicle V.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the pre-calibration step is performed with the aid of CAD software, including mathematics, of the motor vehicle and of the infotainment system to be tested.

[0031] According to the invention, the device 1 comprises an electronic control unit E (schematically shown in FIG. 1 ) adapted to control the operation of the device 1 and in particular to sequentially control: - a preliminary definition phase of the characteristics of the device 1 and of the infotainment system of the vehicle V to be tested, a pre-calibration phase in which the positions of the vehicle V and of the infotainment system relative to the first and second robots 2, 3 are stored, and - A test execution phase, during which the second robot 3 is guided into the opening A in the side window B of the vehicle V and the second robot 3 performs a series of predefined test operations on the infotainment system.

[0032] According to another characteristic of the invention, the device 1 comprises an operation control panel HMI arranged to control the various operational stages of the device 1. Preferably, said panel is arranged to display various icons grouping together sets of operations that can be performed, dividing the operations according to two main sets, in particular those controlling operations of the robots 2, 3 external to the motor vehicle V and those controlling operations of the robots 2, 3 internal to the motor vehicle V.

[0033] According to a unique feature of the invention, during operation the robots 2, 3 can be controlled in a given position before entering the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In this configuration, before entering the passenger compartment (with the second robot 3 guided to the opening A of the side window), the moving parts of the robots 2, 3 are oriented such that the second robot 3 presents a chain of articulated elements 32, 33 aligned axially and oriented perpendicularly to the side of the motor vehicle V, in the direction of the entry point determined by the opening A of the side window B of the motor vehicle V (configuration shown in FIG. 5).

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the coordinates of this position prior to insertion into the motor vehicle V are determined following a pre-calibration procedure described below. Of course, before proceeding with subsequent commands to enter the passenger compartment, the operator must ensure that the side window B of the motor vehicle V is fully open before proceeding with further positioning commands.

[0035] Once the robot 3 is oriented vertically to the side of the motor vehicle V, the operator may control, for example via an HMI panel, the subsequent operating position in which the second robot 3 is moved inside the passenger compartment until the actuation means 4 is in close proximity to the display D of the infotainment system (FIG. 6). Additionally, in this case the angle and distance from the infotainment system integrated in the dashboard C are determined following a preliminary calibration operation which will be detailed herein below.

[0036] When the device 1 is in a position close to the system to be tested, the operator can initiate commands for the execution of multiple test operations, the typology of which is already in the memory of the control unit E, according to a predefined or previously customized set.

[0037] As indicated above, the electronic control unit E is configured to sequentially command: a pre-configuration operation in which the characteristics of the various components of the device 1 (e.g. type of robots 2, 3, configuration of the video cameras) and the characteristics of the infotainment system to be tested (model of motor vehicle, type of system installed) are defined; - a pre-calibration run in which the different angles and positions that the robots 2, 3 must assume during the execution test phase are stored; and - A test operation in which all test operations are performed that include a predetermined sequence of operations to be performed on the infotainment system.

[0038] According to another feature of the invention, during the execution of the test operations, the device 1 is configured to capture data (e.g., capture pictures and / or videos by said at least one video camera 5) and track the test operations by automatically generating various explanatory reports of the results of the test operations to be sent to some analyst operator to evaluate any anomalies in the infotainment system. Such reports may comprise: - Videos produced by cameras inside the passenger compartment; - photos taken by the camera, as well as storing the results of any processing (such as the results of searching for logos / texts on the screen); - Internal system logs containing the names and results of actions performed; - Optional additional software logging, e.g. tracing of signals in the vehicle's CAN network.

[0039] The set of pre-configuration operations, in which the characteristics of the various components of the device 1 are defined, may comprise a step of specifying the number and type of video cameras to be used during the test. As indicated above, the first video camera 5 is mounted on the second robot 3 and guided to acquire data during the test phase inside the passenger compartment. In one or more embodiments, the video camera 5 may be mounted in close proximity to the wrist 34 of the second robot 3, for example mounted on the support 10, 10' of the actuation means 4. Preferably, a second video camera (not shown) may be statically positioned outside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle V to acquire additional data (e.g. the movements of the robot arms of the robots 2, 3) during the test phase.

[0040] According to another characteristic of the invention, the electronic control unit E has in its memory a number of test cases, or rather a configuration of a number of actions that the robots 2, 3 have to execute during a test operation phase of the infotainment system. In this regard, the set of pre-configured operations may comprise a phase of defining, completely from scratch, a new test case with a new sequence of operations to be implemented. The phase of redefining a new test case may be performed through an electronic interface, without the need to reprogram the robots 2, 3. In this regard, the second robot 3 may include on board an acoustic device configured to record an effective reproduction of a voice file activated by touching a specific icon / command of the infotainment system.

[0041] Still taking into account the preliminary phase in which the characteristics of the various components of the device 1 (for example the type of robots 2, 3) are defined, the operator may select a different set of previously performed preliminary calibrations linked to previously performed test cycles. Of course, as will be shown below, the operator may start the calibration phase from scratch if there are changes regarding the device 1 (for example the dimensions of the robots 2, 3) and / or regarding the type of motor vehicle and therefore the reference points of the robots 2, 3 relative to the position of the system to be tested.

[0042] The following description describes a pre-calibration operation that is performed before a test operation if coordinates for the operation have not yet been stored.

[0043] The pre-calibration operation makes it possible to reconstruct the positions in space of several basic points of the device 1 and the vehicle V, which are necessary for the correct execution of the tests. Once the pre-calibration operation is completed, the device 1 has in its memory the coordinates of the points and the basic distances between the robots 2, 3 and the vehicle V, and automatically executes the test operations on the infotainment system without the need for manual assistance from an operator.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the pre-calibration operation comprises the following steps: - determining the dimensions of the touch screen D and defining the area within which the second robot 3 has to interact; - positioning a recognition element 6 on the side window B of the vehicle V so as to identify the entry point of the second robot 3 into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. It should be noted that the recognition element 6 can be made in the form of a specific two-dimensional shape automatically recognizable by the camera 5, or in the form of a QR code readable by the camera 5, which can be affixed to the motor vehicle V by means of an adhesive layer.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the pre-calibration procedure further comprises collecting, by means of said video camera 5, a series of images in which the marker 6 is framed at various positions to store the entry points into the motor vehicle V.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, a further step of the calibration procedure may comprise identifying the position of the video camera 5 relative to a flange of the second robot 3, which connects the actuation means 4 to the wrist 34. This step may be implemented by affixing a further marker, which may be positioned arbitrarily, at a point in space easily reachable with the second robot 3, for example on a plane inside the cockpit.

[0047] Further calibration steps that need to be performed inside the motor vehicle V are presented here below, in particular to define the position of the dashboard C of the motor vehicle V, so that the position of the screen D of the infotainment system can be understood. To proceed with these calibration steps inside the passenger compartment, the second robot 3 is manually positioned inside the motor vehicle V in a position that allows framing with the video camera 5 a further recognition "marker" calibration element 9 affixed to the dashboard near the screen. The position of the touch screen D is then defined by an additional temporary marker (not shown in the drawings) positioned in the center of the screen. Once the positions from said markers have been obtained, the calibration operation is finished, since the positions useful for carrying out test operations are stored in the memory of the electronic control unit E.

[0048] The test operations may comprise: - checking the correct operation of the system by selecting, in a predetermined sequence, different icons displayed on the touch screen D; - selecting various buttons and / or adjustment sliders and / or control icons and / or scrolling through various multimedia pages of the screen and / or testing various buttons also present on the dashboard C and / or on the steering wheel.

[0049] Thanks to the characteristics described above, the device according to the invention allows a number of test operations to be performed on the infotainment system directly in the passenger compartment in a very intuitive manner, regardless of the type of motor vehicle to which the system is adapted, without the need to prepare a specific test bench for the infotainment system and / or without the need to remove parts of the motor vehicle in order to carry out the test operations.

[0050] Naturally, without prejudice to the principles of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary greatly from those described and illustrated purely by way of example, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A method for automatically testing an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: a first multi-axis articulated robot including a chain of robotic elements articulated to one another and terminating in a robot wrist; a second multi-axis articulated robot mounted on the robot wrist of the first multi-axis articulated robot, the second multi-axis articulated robot configured to enter a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; an actuation means supported by the second multi-axis articulated robot and configured to perform a plurality of actuation operations of the infotainment system of the motor vehicle, the actuation means including an element provided for interacting with a touch screen of the infotainment system; at least one video camera disposed on the second articulated robot and configured to capture data of an interior of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle during a performance phase of a test operation of the infotainment system; Electronic Control Unit providing an apparatus having a The method includes a step of driving an implementation step including a series of operations to be performed on the infotainment system by the actuation means, the second multi-axis articulated robot entering the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle to access the infotainment system to be tested; in such a way that the device is configured to perform a number of test operations of the infotainment system directly inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, without the need to provide a test bench for the infotainment system and / or without the need to remove parts of the motor vehicle in order to access the infotainment system, A method for automatically testing an infotainment system of a motor vehicle.

2. performing a pre-calibration step of the apparatus to obtain data within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; storing coordinates of the motor vehicle and the infotainment system relative to the first articulated robot and the second articulated robot according to different operating positions of the first articulated robot and the second articulated robot during the pre-calibration step; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing at least one marker recognition element located at a predetermined location on the motor vehicle that is viewable by the at least one video camera to perform a pre-calibration step of the apparatus.

4. The pre-calibration step comprises: placing the marker recognition element on a side window of the motor vehicle to detect an entry point of the second multi-axis articulated robot into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; acquiring a plurality of images by the video camera, wherein the marker recognition element is framed according to different positions to store the entry point into the motor vehicle for the second multi-axis articulated robot; performing an additional calibration step inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle to learn the location of the touchscreen of the infotainment system and define the location of the dashboard of the motor vehicle; 4. The method of claim 3, comprising:

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the additional calibration step within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle includes positioning the second articulated robot within the motor vehicle in a position adapted to frame with the video camera an additional marker recognition element affixed on the dashboard adjacent the touchscreen.

6. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pre-calibration step is performed with the aid of CAD software, including mathematics, of the motor vehicle and of the infotainment system to be tested.

7. The test implementation phase is: selecting different icons displayed on the touch screen in a predetermined sequence to check correct functionality of the infotainment system; selecting different buttons and / or adjustment sliders and / or control icons, and / or scrolling through different multimedia pages on the touch screen, and / or testing different components on the dashboard of the motor vehicle and / or on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, and / or collecting data from a control unit of the motor vehicle, and / or playing multimedia files, and / or performing a "text to speech" voice synthesis operation, and / or performing a sound identification step, creating text from a keyboard. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

8. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first articulated multi-axis robot and the second articulated multi-axis robot are driven to a position prior to entering the passenger compartment, and the second articulated multi-axis robot is oriented perpendicular to a side of the motor vehicle in a direction of an entry point of the second articulated multi-axis robot into the passenger compartment determined by an opening in a side window of the motor vehicle.

9. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a pre-configuration step of the device, the pre-configuration step including a step of defining new test cases including a new set of operations to be performed on the infotainment system by the actuation means during a test implementation step.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, comprising redefining the sequence of test movements using an electronic interface without reprogramming the first articulated robot and the second articulated robot.

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second articulated robot is of a collaborative type and is at least partially provided with a cover with a sensor for automatically stopping the second articulated robot in case of excessive proximity or contact with a foreign object.

12. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically generating a plurality of reports indicative of the operations performed on the infotainment system during a test implementation phase to evaluate any operational anomalies of the infotainment system.

13. 1. An apparatus for automatically testing an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, comprising: a first multi-axis articulated robot including a chain of robotic elements articulated to one another and terminating in a robot wrist; a second multi-axis articulated robot mounted on the robot wrist of the first multi-axis articulated robot, the second multi-axis articulated robot configured to enter a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; an actuation means supported by the second multi-axis articulated robot and configured to perform a plurality of actuation operations of the infotainment system of the motor vehicle, the actuation means including an element provided for interacting with a touch screen of the infotainment system; at least one video camera mounted on the second multi-axis articulated robot and configured to capture data of the interior of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle during a phase of performing a test operation of the infotainment system; an electronic control unit configured to drive a test implementation phase including a sequence of test operations to be performed on the infotainment system by the actuation means; Equipped with in such a way that the device is configured to perform a number of test operations of the infotainment system directly inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, without the need to provide a test bench for the infotainment system and / or without the need to remove parts of the motor vehicle in order to access the infotainment system, Equipment for automated testing of infotainment systems in motor vehicles.

14. The first multi-axis articulated robot comprises: a base and a column rotatably mounted on the base about a first axis oriented vertically; an arm pivotally mounted on the column about a horizontally oriented second axis; a forearm pivotally mounted on said arm about a horizontally oriented third axis; a robot wrist mounted on the forearm configured to rotate about two mutually orthogonal axes; 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second articulated robot is mounted on the robot wrist by a connection flange and configured to pass through a side window opening of the motor vehicle.

16. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second articulated robot is of a collaborative type and is at least partially provided with a cover with a sensor for automatically stopping the second articulated robot in case of excessive proximity or contact with a foreign object.

17. The actuation means comprises: a support connected to the wrist of the second articulated robot; a pair of robotic fingers, where each robotic finger supports a terminal element equipped with a cover film configured for touching / scrolling on the touch screen of the infotainment system; 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

18. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the actuation means comprises a support arm having a terminal element attached at a distal end thereof and configured to apply stress to the infotainment system to be tested, and wherein an elastically yielding spring element is disposed within and axially disposed along the support arm.

19. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second multi-axis articulated robot has a sound device configured to record playback of a voice file activated by touching a determined icon / control of the infotainment system.

20. A work cell comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 19 and a motor vehicle having an infotainment system to be tested by said apparatus.

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