Motion Cueing Evaluation of Off-Road Heavy Vehicle Handling

Motion cueing algorithms can improve the perceived realism of a driving simulator, however, data on the effects on driver performance and simulator sickness remain scarce. Two novel motion cueing algorithms varying in concept and complexity were developed for a limited maneuvering workspace, hexapod/Stuart type motion platform. The RideCue algorithm uses a simple swing motion concept while OverTilt Track algorithm uses optimal pre-positioning to account for maneuver characteristics for coordinating tilt adjustments. An experiment was conducted on the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) Ride Motion Simulator (RMS) platform comparing the two novel motion cueing algorithms to a pre-existing algorithm and a no-motion condition. A range of driver maneuvers based on military vehicle testing guidelines (e.g., NATO and TOP tests) were used to explore the algorithms’ effects on driver performance measures, subjective ratings of inertial realism, and the Kennedy Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) responses. Results show the general contribution of motion cueing to the simulation experience and suggest that motion cueing gives drivers an added feedback on which to control their steering inputs. Subjective ratings showed that drivers were generally influenced by the presence of motion cueing and the realism of control induced motions, but not influenced by the quality of control induced motions. Simulator sickness effects were mild but increased with exposure time in the simulator with the RideCue algorithm potentially inducing more simulator sickness than OverTilt Track.