Simulation has become a vital part of the engine development process but could it really replace physical powertrain prototyping? 

Calling this the most incredible driving simulator on the planet would be an understatement. The temptation is to draw comparisons with off-the-shelf racing games like Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo.

Ansible Motion expands its Norfolk manufacturing and R&D facility

UK-based driving simulator manufacturer Ansible Motion has secured a grant towards its facilities expansion through the New Anglia Small Grant Scheme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.  The expansion will see Ansible Motion double its offices at the Hethel Engineering Centre to support design and manufacturing of its proven driving simulator technologies.

Phil Morse from Ansible Motion will host a Working Group titled, “Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) Simulator Technologies for Steering System Development and Evaluation” at the upcoming, inaugural Steering Systems USA 2019 conference on Wednesday, March 27 at 4:50 PM EST.  The conference will take place at the GM Heritage Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA.  (See the full conference agenda for other presentations and workshops.) 

A simulator has been developed by Ansible Motion that helps car manufacturers better understand how drivers will cope with and respond to the rising number of driver assistance (ADAS) and autonomous (AI) automotive technologies and interventions.

The latest iteration of Ansible Motion’s Delta Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator provides a safe and repeatable laboratory cell to test and validate the ADAS systems that are increasingly being fitted to new cars.

Since automated emergency braking (AEB) was first introduced, initially to prevent a collision with a slower or stopped vehicle ahead, it has been enhanced in many cases to recognise much more - pedestrians and cyclists, for example.

Ansible Motion's director, Kia Cammaerts, believes that while the technology has a number of convenience benefits, mandating automated emergency braking on all vehicles could eliminate the majority of road accidents. "If it were standard on all new vehicles, we would probably eliminate 80% of all road accidents without any further advances towards fully autonomous vehicles," he said.

There’s a uniquely human aspect to testing and developing new cars. Despite the quantifiable data available, a human driver is arguably the ultimate arbiter of how well a car handles and performs. Beyond subjective appeal, cars also have to be robust to withstand the unpredictable nature of human drivers. That’s a challenging element to model in a virtual world.

Among the numerous possibilities a fully autonomous vehicle will promise, maybe the most attractive selling point for the general public is the ability to turn on, tune in, and drop out.  However, the exciting prospect of reading, working or watching TV as the car transports occupants without the requirement of human control comes with one caveat: the issue of motion sickness. 

Steve, an ace apprentice, spent time with Ansible Motion, helping to design and build driving simulators while traveling the world. This is no ordinary apprenticeship. So, how is it possible?