Huge Robot Arm Whirls Pilots Around in Extreme Flight Simulator
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CREDIT: Deakin University |
Some of the world's best combat flight simulators allow military pilots to practice virtual dog-fighting inside a machine that tilts and moves like a mild-mannered theme park ride. To kick things up a notch, a next-generation simulator sits on the end of a huge robotic arm to give trainee pilots the sensation of white-knuckle 6G forces inside a screaming-fast fighter jet.
The robotic arm's manhandling of pilots who also wear 3D display headsets can create the immersive experience of doing 360 degree barrel roll spins or pulling extreme turns at high speeds. Such a high-tech simulator could also be configured to simulate spacecraft or hovering helicopters , as well as tanks, trucks, race cars and motorcycles.
"This next generation simulator uses its oversized robot arm to spin users at high speeds in any direction," said Saeid Nahavandi, director of the Centre for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR) at Deakin University in Australia. "No other simulator can provide the full experience of flying a military jet with all the gut wrenching G-forces while only seven meters (23 feet) off the ground."
Pilot trainees sitting inside the simulator on the oversized robot arm also feel forces and vibrations through the joystick or steering wheel. Such physical sensations combine with the wild spinning ride and the virtual 3D display to complete the immersive experience.
Australia's federal innovation minister, Kim Carr, unveiled the new Universal Motion Simulator at Deakin University on Nov. 18. The university received $1.8 million from the Australian Research Council to house the new simulator, and will get an additional $210,000 to begin a flight simulation project in 2012.
"What sets the Universal Motion Simulator apart from standard simulators is the integration of haptics technology, which provides a sense of touch and feel to virtual or remote objects, and its ability move at high speed and in any direction," Nahavandi said.
The simulator even has the ability to monitor the pilot's physical health signs and mental responses. It uses electroencephalogram (EEG) technology to gauge the electrical activity of the brain through sensor electrodes, as well as an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure pulse and blood pressure.
A trainee pilot sitting inside the Universal Motion Simulator can also fly joint simulation experiences with pilots in other parts of the world such as the U.S. by connecting remotely online. But regardless of who proves the better top gun in such an exercise, there won't be any doubts as to which pilot is having the most fun.
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