rec.autos.simulators

I thought this new news group is a place to obtain information for recent
simulator techniques.  Unfortunately, it seems to me almost everyone talks
about games.  In fact, there are real vehicle simulators in the world.
I would like to provide the following information:

Mercedes Benz and Toyota have driving simulator in their research headquarters.
(Both are very advanced wheeled vehicle simulators, you can actually sit in a
hub and do simulated drives!)
US army has a tracked vehicle simulator for combat vehicle design validation.
Last year, Department of Transportation invested several million dollars in
Iowa City to build a world-class driving simulator (with motion base) for
medical, engineering, human behavior ... research use.  This simulator will
operate around 1996. (If interested, contact: Center for Simulation and Design
Optimization, University of Iowa, Iowa CIty, IA 52242)

Yes, we do need an advanced driving simulator in this country, (may be more
than one?)  I believe vehicle dynamics (to model motions of all vehcile
subsystems), modern parallel computations, embedded control techniques, advanced
vedio-quality computer graphics, and audio techniques should be integrated to
provide real-time vehicle simulation ability.  However, I think the future
trend is not just integration of the above techniques but also how to make
realistic simulators inexpensive for small business and institutions!

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Dr. Alex C. Chiang
Rm M0101, Bldg. 89, CALCE EPRC, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20705
Phone: (301) 405-5338;  FAX: (301) 314-9269

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I digress...
I don't recall the field of range of the display, but have
been told that the sensation was pretty realistic (>180 degree
field of vision).  FWIW...
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'93 RS America- GP White
'82 911 SC    - GP White

This group is for discussion of ALL aspects of auto simulators. However, if
there is a preponderance of game related posts it is not because of an attempt
to prevent people posting about "real" simulators. Such discussion can only
start if people, such as yourself,  start them and tell colleagues, etc., that
the group exists. I would very much like to see technical discussions of
auto simulators here as well. Of course, this group has only been going for
one week, so it will take time.

(To people in general:)
If your interests are in simulator techniques and you've been lukring
in this group and discouraged by posting because of the postings about
games, then speak out. Tell us you're here.

-Afzal

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