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Cambridge University Engineering Department Collaborates With Ansible Motion To Enhance Driver Behaviour Research Using Simulator
Cambridge University Engineering Department (CUED) is conducting a study on human driver behaviour, funded by Toyota Motor Europe. This research uses Ansible Motion's Delta S3 Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator to explore how novice and expert drivers handle steering during extreme manoeuvres. The aim is to gain insights into human-vehicle interactions.
Ansible Motion's Delta S3 DIL simulator offers an immersive environment with advanced motion and vision capabilities. It features a real cabin setup for virtual vehicle testing. This simulator helps researchers collect precise data on driver responses, crucial for understanding driver behaviour in challenging scenarios.
The Delta S3 DIL simulator includes a patented six-degree-of-freedom Stratiform motion system and wrap-around projection graphics. These features ensure realistic dynamics, essential for studying human-vehicle interactions. The simulator's ultra-low latency and large excursion capability further enhance the realism of the driving experience.
PhD researcher Harry Fieldhouse conducted experiments with twenty test subjects at Ansible Motion's R&D Centre. Participants navigated randomly curving paths using the simulator, providing valuable data on steering strategies. This approach allowed researchers to observe differences in learning rates between novice and expert drivers.
Ansible Motion collaborates with CUED to support this research, bridging academia and industry. Dan Clark, managing director of Ansible Motion, states: "Studies such as this bridge the gap between academia and industry, so we’re proud to support Cambridge University Engineering Department’s ground-breaking research into human driver behaviour."
The study initially used data from an instrumented vehicle on a test track where drivers performed identical obstacle avoidance manoeuvres repeatedly. However, this method limited insights into evolving steering strategies. The new virtual experiment addresses these limitations by offering a more dynamic testing environment.
Insights for Future Vehicle Design
The final analysis comparing data from Ansible Motion's simulator with theoretical models will conclude in late 2025. These findings are expected to provide further insights into vehicle design and driver assistance systems, enhancing safety and performance in future vehicles.
David Cole, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at CUED, highlights the importance of using simulators: "In order to collect experimental data in a safe and consistent environment, we made the decision to use a driving simulator with immersive motion and graphics."
Ansible Motion was founded in 2009 and specialises in creating technology for simulating human-experienced vehicles. Their DIL simulators are used globally by automotive manufacturers like Honda, Ford, BMW, General Motors, and top-level racing teams from Formula 1 to WRC.
Ansible Motion's simulators are designed at their factory in Hethel, England. In 2022, they were acquired by AB Dynamics Group, a leading automotive test specialist. Their open software architecture allows integration with sophisticated vehicle models and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test benches.
This collaboration between CUED and Ansible Motion underscores the role of simulation technology in shaping automotive engineering's future. By understanding human driver behaviour better, researchers can contribute significantly to advancements in vehicle design and safety systems.
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