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Afull motion racing simulator, sometimes called afull motionsim rig, is amotion simulator that is purposed for racing, and must provide motion simulation in allsix degrees of freedom, as defined by theaviation simulator industry many decades ago. The six degrees of freedom coincide with Earth physics, and are commonly referred to (in bothaircraft,watercraft and othervehicles) as:
Simulations of these six degrees of freedom are achieved by 2 fundamentally different approaches.
1. Historically by tilting of amotion base (also called a Stewart platform) which also changes the driver's position relative to the Earth'sgravity, giving the sensation ofacceleration.[citation needed]
2. More recently, a "physics based" methodology achieved through a series ofgimbals andlinear bearing systems that allow for independent degrees of freedom that work around the center of mass.
In motion simulators, the cockpit or the occupant's seat is moved in coordination with a graphical output. Different examples of racing simulators with motion exist, some of which provide motion only to the driver's seat, and others that move the entire simulator cockpit including all car controls. Further differentiation exists regarding visual display technology and whether the simulators graphical output moves with, and stays relative to the sim, or is static and motionless.
TheDOF Reality H6/P6[1] andSimCraft APEX6 PRO[2] and Cruden[3] areexamples of full motion racing simulators implemented in different ways, but both offer motion simulation on all 6 of the degrees of freedom. The DOF Reality and Cruden system utilizes aStewart platform while SimCraft utilizes a proprietary physics approach with independent degrees of freedom.
In addition to the six degrees of freedom, it is also common to haveforce feedback in full motion racing simulators, most commonly in the steering wheel, but sometimes even in other controls as well. To create an even moreimmersive experience, full motion racing simulators are sometimes also combined withvirtual reality headsets. Motion platforms has been proven to reduceCybersickness or Virtual Reality sickness.[4] Using motion platforms participants are capable of playing longer sessions without feeling nauseous. Motion systems succeeded in minimizing mismatches between movement and graphics which brings disorientation to the end. In most systemsmotion compensation or cancellation software takes its part in minimizing the influence of VR on the brain and health condition.
The number of degrees of freedom (DOF) specifies how many ways a simulator can rotate or translate.
Arguably the two most common use cases are auto racing and flight simulators.
Some common motion simulator setup types include:[5][6]
Full motion racing simulators are usually manufactured from steel or aluminum with mounting mechanisms forcar controls, such as:
Ergonomics may also attempt to replicate the vehicle being simulated.
