Advanced motion simulators are transforming the development of driver assistance technology, enabling precise testing of ADAS systems with minimal latency.
How Simulators Are Advancing Driver Assistance Technology
Simulators have evolved far beyond basic setups with a screen, a fake steering wheel, and pedals. Today’s cutting-edge motion simulators replicate the sensations a driver experiences in a real car, whether on the road or track, making them invaluable tools for automotive development.
For companies like Dynisma and Ansible Motion, which produce full-scale driver-in-loop motion simulators, the increasing complexity of modern vehicles presents a significant opportunity. Dynisma, known for its Formula 1-grade Dynisma Motion Generator (DMG) and its partnership with McLaren Automotive, sees a growing role for these simulators in the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for consumer vehicles.
These motion simulators combine intricate software with sophisticated mechanical systems. The software creates a realistic external environment through a detailed computer model, while the mechanical components generate the physical movements a driver expects to feel based on visual cues.
One of the biggest challenges for simulator designers is addressing latency—the delay between the visual output on the screen and the driver’s expected sensory feedback. In a real vehicle, there is no latency; what the driver sees and feels happens simultaneously. However, even a slight delay in a simulator can distort the driver’s perception, affecting their ability to accurately assess how a real car would respond to inputs, such as during an oversteer situation.
In real-world driving, a delayed reaction could mean the difference between maintaining control or veering off course. Excessive latency can also cause discomfort or motion sickness in drivers.
How much latency is too much? Surprisingly, even a delay as brief as the blink of an eye—ranging from 100 to 400 milliseconds—can be problematic. For Formula 1 simulators, the latency requirement is less than four milliseconds, a threshold that Dynisma claims its system meets. This near-instantaneous response is crucial for developing ADAS features like lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warnings, emergency lane-keeping, and autonomous emergency braking in a simulated environment.
Dynisma is also exploring the use of its DMG to tackle the complex issue of the handover from autonomous driving systems (beyond level two) back to the human driver. The controlled environment of a simulator allows for the rapid evaluation of various scenarios, ensuring safety and reliability.
Moreover, the DMG can assess passenger comfort in these scenarios and be utilized in other areas such as vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), control systems, human-machine interfaces, and overall user experience.
Looking ahead, Dynisma anticipates an increased demand for its DMG as new European small-series type approval regulations come into effect next year. These regulations will require small-volume manufacturers to incorporate ADAS into their vehicles, further solidifying the importance of advanced simulators in the future of automotive development.
