Abstract:
This paper presents an interactive driving simulator which is recently developed at the Military Technical College in Cairo. The simulator integrates a full vehicle model and a fully instrumented simulator cabin with the driver/researcher. The vehicle model signifies the vehicle dynamics in longitudinal, lateral and vertical directions through fourteen second-order differential equations. All necessary models for virtual representation of both the vehicle and the proving ground are carried out and integrated with the models of dynamics. The models are carried out in modular and generic forms which provide the advantage of implying the simulator for any vehicle by feeding the codes with the appropriate data. The driver reactions are measured real-time through the simulator cabin which embodies the main vehicle controllers like steering wheel, pedals and shift levers. A data acquisition system is used to digitally update the numerical models with the driver inputs. The output from simulation is instantaneously displayed via plasma screen through which the driver can monitor the vehicle motion and provide the necessary feedback. Different applications can be employed like vehicle assessment and different vehicle subsystems design e.g. suspension, drive-train system …etc.