Motion Control

The problems he encountered in the development of the "Super X" motion simulator for entertainment forced Phillip Denne to study the psychology of motion simulation in some depth.

He realised that, to increase the value of his machines to the customer - and to increase their attraction to the "punters" - he would have to improve the smoothness of the motion and the precision of the timing of the "onset cues".

After taking the hydraulic systems to their limits, he set out to make further improvements in the motion base mechanisms - and eventually to change the actuators themselves.

Further Information

	Motion Platforms or Motion Seats?
	September 2004.
Motion cues are essential in simulation because research shows that driving – or flying – requires an instinctive connection between the human body and the mechanics of the vehicle. Good motion cues are essential if the trainee is to learn this connection correctly. It follows that poor quality motion systems actually have a negative training effect. It has often been argued that no motion at all is better – and cheaper - than bad motion. New types of all-electric motion systems have been developed to overcome the problems of the older motion base and motion seat technologies. Remarkable improvements in performance, reliability and value can now be achieved. Read more...
	Virtual Motion
	Paper presented to the Conference on Virtual Reality, San Jose, April 1994.
We now have a technology which will allow a human being to control a simulator instantly and instinctively, using body movements. That is, the simulator motion system does not just exert forces on the body of a human being - it responds to forces which the human body exerts on it - directly, or in addition to the use of controls. Read more...
	Motion Systems and Visual Displays
	12 January 1994.
Visual displays and motion systems are interdependent. Motion can be applied to the whole simulator, to the vehicle or to the seat - or to a combination of these. It is now possible to construct driver training simulators with a convincing "feel" and at reasonable cost, removing the strongest obstacle to customer acceptance of the product. Read more...

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