Vehicle Dynamics and Motion Drive for Realtime Simulators

Advances in simulator technology have allowed researchers to move the test track/range into the virtual world. To insure proper transfer of experience, the many simulator components must work in harmony. This Phase II proposal addresses the motion cueing and steering system feel for hexapod-based driving simulations. Hexapods have limited motion capability for representing lateral accelerations that are represented in steady state by tilt cues. If done improperly, the resulting cues can negatively impact the simulation experience and may also result in simulator sickness, regardless of the fidelity of the other simulator components. The objective of the proposed program is to develop and validate appropriate algorithms for motion base simulators that provide more realistic feedback of motion cues and steering control feel to the driver. Two current motion cueing algorithms will be prototyped and evaluated via driver-in-the-loop simulation using a representative hexapod motion platform and an MRAP vehicle model. The simulator evaluations will feature advanced Army vehicle models and critical lateral maneuvering scenarios. The resulting algorithms will be validated using quantitative driver-vehicle system measures and qualitative driver opinions and ratings. The program will result in validated algorithms for enhanced lateral motion cueing and more realistic proprioceptive cueing from improved steering feel.