Integration of Vehicle Models and Analytical Simulations

Offline vehicle dynamics simulation software is used to predict the performance of new vehicles as well as to predict the performance of modifications to existing vehicles. By developing software that integrates vehicle models and analytical simulations with virtual immersive environments to allow inspection and collaboration, greater insight and understanding of the performance of the vehicle can be achieved. The objective of this proposal is to develop immersive vehicle dynamics visualization software (IVDYN). This software will import results generated in LMS Virtual Lab, CADSI DADS, McNeil Schwendler's ADAMS, and Realtime Technologies,Inc. (RTI)'s SimCreator. It will also import CAD models from standard environments such as Virtual Lab, ADAMS, CATIA, DADS, PTC ProE and Unigraphics and allow connection of vehicle dynamics results with specific CAD bodies and degrees of freedom. The software will also allow the definition or import of the virtual terrain on which the vehicle was driven. Finally the software will project the resulting simulation in a variety of immersive systems including: CAVE, PowerWalls, and ImmersaDesk settings.