If it moves, we can simulate it
Driving simulators are an irreplaceable tool for the development of vehicles and their systems. An effective simulator enables the vehicle developer to assess a multitude of design configurations, operational scenarios and assess their impact in a rapid and repeatable manner. Yet achieving the most from a driving simulator is not an easy task.
Despite no international standards for their properties (as in Flight Simulation Training Devices), driving simulators come with their own challenges. Road vehicles undergo rapid accelerations (primarily in the planar directions), and are subjected to vibrations including very high frequencies. While some technologies can be borrowed from flight simulation, driving simulators tend to have unique features to ensure they meet the performance standards of the vehicle developer. This may include unique large-scale motion cueing systems, the ability to exchange the vehicle mock-up, and highly-complex models of the vehicle dynamics.
IDT has developed expertise in specifying, designing and realising unique driving simulators, based on our Simulation Roadmap process. The steps in this process are:
• Functional specification of the tasks of the user
• The available simulation features (models, cueing systems), and fidelity level definitions
• Design Iteration (Preliminary Design and Detail Design)
• System Build and Testing
• Product Delivery, Installation & Commissioning
By applying this process, we have assisted vehicle manufacturers of cars and trucks to develop a better understanding of their simulation needs. We have also realised complete, integrated driving simulator systems.
IDT has developed working relationships with simulator systems suppliers in the areas of simulation hardware design, analysis and manufacture. These include:
• Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering
• University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies
• Pagnotta Engineering Inc.