A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.

A water rollover simulation system includes a simulation training device. The simulation training device is connected to a track, wherein one end of the track is submerged in water. The simulation training device begins a simulation on another portion of the track not submerged in water, moves toward the end of the track, and completes the simulation by allowing one or more trainees to escape the simulation training device while the simulation training device is submerged under water. The water rollover simulation system includes various safety features. The safety features can be activated automatically after a predetermined amount of time, or manually via a remote control system.

A method of developing a mathematical model of dynamics of a vehicle for use in a computer-controlled simulation, comprising: selecting a coefficient of a state-space model mathematically modelling the dynamics of the vehicle, the selected coefficient having a value for a predetermined state of the vehicle; and varying, a parameter of a physically-based computerized model mathematically modelling the dynamics of the vehicle, the parameter related to at least one of physical characteristics of the vehicle and phenomena influencing the dynamics of the vehicle, to improve the accuracy of the physically-based model via computer-implemented numerical optimization, the computer-implemented numerical optimization targeting the coefficient of the state-space model such that the difference between a value predicted by the physically-based model and the value of the coefficient of the state-space model for the predetermined vehicle state is within a predetermined range.

A method of developing a mathematical model of dynamics of a vehicle for use in a computer-controlled simulation, comprising: selecting a coefficient of a state-space model mathematically modelling the dynamics of the vehicle, the selected coefficient having a value for a predetermined state of the vehicle; and varying, a parameter of a physically-based computerized model mathematically modelling the dynamics of the vehicle, the parameter related to at least one of physical characteristics of the vehicle and phenomena influencing the dynamics of the vehicle, to improve the accuracy of the physically-based model via computer-implemented numerical optimization, the computer-implemented numerical optimization targeting the coefficient of the state-space model such that the difference between a value predicted by the physically-based model and the value of the coefficient of the state-space model for the predetermined vehicle state is within a predetermined range.

The invention is directed to an overdetermined movement platform system, comprising a base; a platform movable along 6 degrees of freedom relative to said base; at least eight long-stroke actuators, wherein each actuator couples the base with the platform and a controller which (a) is configured to adapt a demanded platform movement set-point to a commanded platform movement set-point, (b) is configured to move the eight long-stroke actuators such that the commanded platform movement set-point is achieved and (c) is configured to dynamically redistribute the forces as exercised by the actuators on the platform between the actuators.

Systems and methods for simulation of ambient light based on generated imagery are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a simulation sled, a simulation display that can display generated imagery viewable from the simulation sled, an ambient light simulator that can selectively illuminate portions of the simulation sled, and a processor. The simulation sled can include a plurality of user controls. The processor can: control the simulation display to generate imagery; identify an effect of the generated imagery on the simulation sled; and control the ambient light simulator to selectively illuminate at least portions of the simulation sled according to the identified effect of the simulated light source.

A motion simulation apparatus includes a motion platform. A carrier for carrying a user is mounted on the motion platform. The apparatus has a drive arm with a lower end that is pivotally mounted on a substrate to pivot relative to the substrate with two degrees of freedom of movement and an upper end that is pivotally connected to the motion platform to pivot with respect to the motion platform with two degrees of freedom of movement. The apparatus has two guide arms, each guide arm having a lower end that is pivotally mounted on the substrate to pivot relative to the substrate with three degrees of freedom of movement and an upper end that is pivotally connected to the motion platform to pivot relative to the motion platform with three degrees of freedom of movement. The drive arm, the guide arms and the motion platform define a dynamic frame that can pivot with respect to the substrate such that a resultant movement of the motion platform can be imparted to the carrier.

An orientable seating device includes a seat, the orientation of which can be controlled to dynamically affect a desired of yaw, pitch and roll. The seating device can be used to reorient and/or to simulate motion for a seated person for use with video games, virtual reality headsets or goggles, land, water, air or space vehicle simulation, or wireless airborne drones, for example. The device includes a seat mounted on a carriage, which is received in a carriage pedestal. Within the pedestal, a drive wheel positioned under the carriage supports and rotates the carriage by driving an outer sphere-shaped surface of the carriage. The drive wheel can be reoriented around a vertical axis such that any combination of pitch and roll can be achieved by rotating the wheel against the sphere-shaped surface. Yaw can be controlled by a rotatable platform upon which the carriage pedestal can be mounted.

An orientable seating device includes a seat, the orientation of which can be controlled to dynamically affect a desired of yaw, pitch and roll. The seating device can be used to reorient and/or to simulate motion for a seated person for use with video games, virtual reality headsets or goggles, land, water, air or space vehicle simulation, or wireless airborne drones, for example. The device includes a seat mounted on a carriage, which is received in a carriage pedestal. Within the pedestal, a drive wheel positioned under the carriage supports and rotates the carriage by driving an outer sphere-shaped surface of the carriage. The drive wheel can be reoriented around a vertical axis such that any combination of pitch and roll can be achieved by rotating the wheel against the sphere-shaped surface. Yaw can be controlled by a rotatable platform upon which the carriage pedestal can be mounted.

An embodiment of a vehicle simulator includes a base support, a movable integral support, and a plurality of actuators. Each actuator is disposed between the base support and the movable integral support and is arranged to cause movement of the movable integral support relative to the base support. The vehicle simulator further includes a seat device rigidly connected to the movable integral support. The vehicle simulator further includes a first actuator arranged to cause a first force on the movable integral support in a transverse direction at a first position. The vehicle simulator further includes a second actuator arranged to apply a second force to the movable integral support in the transverse direction at a second position, the first position and the second position being spaced apart along a longitudinal direction.