In a world where speed to market (or speed to the race track) can mean the difference between out performing the competition and being an also-ran, most in the performance engineering industry have taken to simulation to accelerate their organization’s capabilities. However, the results from simulation are only as good as the models and the underlying data that supports these models. Additionally, in today’s simulation, often times, one of the most significant components to the real world system, the driver (or pilot), is neglected. Humans are in no way deterministic, and as such they are difficult to model. VIPER has the assembled the expertise and resources to advance simulation state-of-the-art in both vehicle simulation as well as driver simulation.

6 Degree of Freedom Full Motion Driver Simulator

VIPER has installed a Hexatech six degree-of-freedom full motion driving simulator made by Cruden. This simulator couples a high performance electromechanical motion base with sophisticated motion cueing to produce a high fidelity simulated driving experience. Accordingly, the simulator can be used to train drivers in a low risk, highly flexible environment. Additionally, having a high fidelity driver experience allows for the inclusion of humans back into the simulation development process, so that an actual person can help influence the direction of development within the simulation world. This virtual prototype testing could range from component level models all the way through complete virtual vehicle simulations; driving a vehicle before one is ever produced. To aid this type of work, VIPER has a dSpace Autobox real time controller. Lastly, as simulation capability continues to advance, the driving simulator provides a tool to help characterize human performance for the development of advanced driver models.

Services

• Driver training / evaluation
• Virtual prototype testing
• Stochastic driver model development
• Entertainment

Vehicle Simulation

Along with the driver-in-the-loop capabilities that the driving simulator provides, VIPER can also aid in the development of component through vehicle level model development. Using some of VIPER’s other assets, including the shock dynamometer, and 8 post vehicle dynamics shaker, we can help build empirical models from actual test articles, or perform parameter estimation. Conversely, leveraging extensive simulation experience, VIPER can help your organization build explicit simulation models. As mentioned above, VIPER has a dSpace Autobox real time controller which allows for various combinations of hardware-in-the-loop simulation.

Services

• Empirical model development.
• Explicit model development.
• Hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Parameter estimation testing (e.g. 8 Post shaker )

Additionally, through our partnership with Virginia Tech, there is a vast array of simulation experience which can be tapped. VIPER is actively engaged in research programs which take advantage of our state-of-the-art testing assets.

Areas Under Development

Both VIPER’s service and research components are always pushing the boundaries of the state-of-the-art. Here a few areas in which were actively focusing our attention:

• 8 Post shake rig testing based vehicle simulation model development.
• 8 Post rig and driving simulator real time simulation connection for simultaneous hardware-in-the-loop and driver-in-the-loop testing.
• Passive, semi-active, and active shock absorber model and control algorithm development.