Objectif
This project intends to develop a highly efficient vehicle motion simulator for entertainment, research and drivers training applications. It will fill the gap between existing low cost static simulators and the expensive motion-based driving simulators by the introduction of a new concept of motion generator platform. The main objective of the project is the use of a 4-DOF spherical platform as motion base in combination with highly efficient video and audio systems.
Objectives:
This project covers the gap existing between low cost static simulators and the expensive moving-base driving simulators, by the introduction of a new concept of motion generator platform. The main objective of this project is the use of a 4-DOF spherical platform as motion base in simulators, in combination with highly efficient video and audio systems. This spherical platform is much simpler than traditional systems and furthermore, with this platform the fidelity in the motion simulation is much better that with other systems. In addition, the mechanical complexity and also the actuators driving energy is smaller than in traditional systems. The motion platform architecture to be used in this project is based on recent studies on human motion perception and simulators configurations.
Work description:
The system to be developed in this project is formed by:
.A 4-DOF spherical motion platform
.A driving post compatible with the motion platform and the specific application.
.A suitable image/sound generation system
.Different virtual scenarios for system operation
The four basic fields of application of SIMUSYS are:
.Entertainment/amusement market, home use or public establishments. In public establishments, the system will be configured as a coin-operated device. It is foreseen to achieve compatibility with domestic entertainment systems (Playstationa, Dreamcasta, Nintendo69, etc), in order to use this platform as motion generator of popular domestic game&entertainment systems. In this way, SIMUSYS targets a huge and important market.
.Driving simulators: for drivers training in schools; as training system for professional operators of vehicles (truckers, civil works machinery, cranes).
.VR and telepresence: as general purpose motion base for developments in these fields.
.Research tool for accident investigation and prevention, as with this system it will be possible to simulate extreme driving situations, where human factors can be analysed in more real conditions.
Milestones:
1. Report on the selected application/s for demonstration, patents, system specifications and test procedures.
2. Motion Platform
3. Simulator driving-post
4. Graphical scenarios
5. Vehicle dynamic models
6. Platform motion control
7. Tests results
8.Exploitation agreements and contracts.
SIMUSYS project has been developed from 1/01/2001 until 28/02/2003. Many are the results, data and conclusions obtained from this project, and can be summarised as follows:
1)FULLY OPERATIVE DRIVING SIMULATOR. The project has finished with a fully operative simulator, which has been extensively tested. It represents a novelty in the sector in the sense that it is the only one using a spherical 4DoF platform as motion base and also because it is specially adapted to the entertainment sector. The prototype is available at the University of Zaragoza facilities.
2)GENERAL PURPOSE MOTION BASE FOR VR APPLICATIONS SIMUSYS project has finished with a fully operative prototype. However, being the spherical motion base one of the main outputs of the project, such system can also be used for any VR applications involving motion sensation reconstruction and transmission.
3)PC-BASED IMAGE GENERATIONTRANSMISSION SYSTEM One of the most remarkable results of SIMUSYS project has been the development of a PC-based imaging system. Among the great deal of existing software that provides basic tools able to create virtual scenarios, we chose DarkBasic as it is specially designed to create games, demos, multimedia displays as well as educative and business applications in a simple way. Besides, it is easy enough to be used by a great deal of users. Such adopted solution implies the use of a commercial PC instead of bigger computing systems and simple video game engine avoiding much more complex software. The final quality and realism of the images is clearly at the level of images obtained by more expensive systems.
4)SIMULATOR MOTION BASE DRIVE ALGORITHM SIMUSYS project has implemented a motion base algorithm derived from flight simulators but adapted to the simulation of ground vehicles motion. Such algorithm is indeed original in the sense that it deeply considers the special characteristics and peculiarities of ground vehicles and furthermore it is usable in any architecture of driving simulators.
5)VEHICLE DYNAMIC MODELS An interactive driving simulator imposes the computation in real time of a vehicle dynamic model. The one implemented in SIMUSYS is on one hand simple but on the other hand integrates the most updated tyre-ground contact theories.
Champ scientifique
Appel à propositions
Data not availableRégime de financement
CRS - Cooperative research contractsCoordinateur
22004 HUESCA
Espagne