To put it simply simulator is a device that gives you an experience that mimics the real thing. For example, when you sit in a driving simulator, you remain seated in the rig while it moves around to make you feel like you're actually behind the wheel of a vehicle.
There are two types of simulators: full motion and fixed base.
Full motion simulators use hydraulics to move the entire seat and surround system so that you can experience what it would belike to drive in real life. It is designed to make you feel like the car is moving beneath you.
Fixed base simulators barely move; instead, they rely on software to create an environment that makes it seem like there's movement when there isn't any.
Here at Focus Driver we use fixed-base simulators because we believe they provide students with an authentic driving experience that closely mimics the real thing.
But let's delve into why we don't use a full motion simulator here at Focus Driver.
If you’re setting up a motion simulator at a trade show or marketing convention and your goal is to impress those who try it, then, by all means, go full motion.
However, for a more realistic and immersive driving experience, less is best.
In order to accurately depict the experience of driving, motion rigs for simulators are built larger to mimic the physics and high amount of G-force generated at high speeds. With size comes latency and much more limited control over the natural forces related to driving.
The limited motions of a fix-based simulator ensure that even the tiniest adjustments on the steering wheel and pedals are immediately applied. This seamless control is crucial for driver training.
As a bonus, mimicking limited motions means smaller rigs that are quite simple to set up and operate.
When a motion simulator primarily focuses on suspension travel, heave, and the vehicle's loading through corners rather than the overall G-force driving experience, it creates something impressively realistic. You can feel that you’re driving in a real car.
On simulation rigs that mimic larger movements, you can feel as if you’re struggling against the simulator itself. But with less motion, you’re actually working with the rig itself instead of against it. On a fix-based driving simulator, you are feeling and experiencing the motions of driving itself despite only looking at a screen attached to the motion rig.
From a driver training perspective, having more motion forces that are very different from actual driving will only throw a real driver off due to the stark difference in simulation and real-life application.
Less is definitely better when it comes to simulators for race car driving. The suspension-focused rigs provide a more realistic experience compared to those that use full motion.
Focus Driver is all about realistic applications when it comes to driver training. With regular updates to both our car and track models, we will always offer the best race preparation and coaching tools available in Australia. Contact us today!