Method and systems for executing an interactive computer simulation of a simulated vehicle. A central repository comprises a synthetic natural environment database (SNEDB) that comprises data for a plurality of geographically-located terrain skin representations of a computer generated. A remote data management system maintains the remote repository comprising a subset of the SNEDB accessible to an interactive computer simulation station. The interactive computer simulation station sends, over the network, a data request for geographical locations from the SNEDB and allows users to interact in the interactive computer simulation for controlling the simulated vehicle. The remote data management system computes a plurality of expected geographical positions for the first simulation station and anticipatorily updates, via the network, the subset of the SNEDB stored in the remote repository with a supplemental subset of the SNEDB corresponding to one or more of the computed expected geographical positions.

Method and systems for executing an interactive computer simulation of a simulated vehicle. A central repository comprises a synthetic natural environment database (SNEDB) that comprises data for a plurality of geographically-located terrain skin representations of a computer generated. A remote data management system maintains the remote repository comprising a subset of the SNEDB accessible to an interactive computer simulation station. The interactive computer simulation station sends, over the network, a data request for geographical locations from the SNEDB and allows users to interact in the interactive computer simulation for controlling the simulated vehicle. The remote data management system computes a plurality of expected geographical positions for the first simulation station and anticipatorily updates, via the network, the subset of the SNEDB stored in the remote repository with a supplemental subset of the SNEDB corresponding to one or more of the computed expected geographical positions.

The present disclosure is directed to wheel-based human-powered spinning system comprising: a chassis configured to secure a user; a track surrounding said chassis; and at least one omni wheels attached to said chassis, wherein said chassis spins with unlimited range of motion, along pitch, yaw and roll axes, inside the track while supported by said at least one omni wheels, said track being independent of contact from said chassis.

A method and apparatus for managing a simulation. The method comprises detecting a user input manipulating a virtual control on a control panel displayed in a target output location on a display system in a simulator during the simulation of a platform. Further, the method comprises identifying a sound for the virtual control when the user input is detected. Still further, the method comprises controlling a speaker system to output the sound identified during the simulation in a manner that is perceived by a human operator to be from the target output location.

A method and apparatus for managing a simulation. The method comprises detecting a user input manipulating a virtual control on a control panel displayed in a target output location on a display system in a simulator during the simulation of a platform. Further, the method comprises identifying a sound for the virtual control when the user input is detected. Still further, the method comprises controlling a speaker system to output the sound identified during the simulation in a manner that is perceived by a human operator to be from the target output location.

Adjustable gravity simulators, mechanical loading devices, and methods for simulating gravitational loads and cell culturing are described.

Disclosed is a planar test bed comprising a planar surface and further comprising mechanical couplings in mechanical communication with the planar table and the supporting legs. The mechanical couplings are translatable to provide three degrees of freedom for orientation of the planar surface. A processor receives position and velocity information describing an object on the planar surface, and calculates a relative acceleration typically using a function a.sub.R=f(t,x.sub.R,v.sub.R,.sub.t). The processor communicates with the mechanical couplings to establish an orientation where a local gravity vector projects onto the planar surface and generates acceleration with magnitude and direction substantially equal to the desired acceleration a.sub.R The operations occur in cyclic fashion so the desired accelerations and planar orientations are updated as an object transits over the planar surface.

Disclosed is a planar test bed comprising a planar surface and further comprising mechanical couplings in mechanical communication with the planar table and the supporting legs. The mechanical couplings are translatable to provide three degrees of freedom for orientation of the planar surface. A processor receives position and velocity information describing an object on the planar surface, and calculates a relative acceleration typically using a function a.sub.R=f(t,x.sub.R,v.sub.R,.sub.t). The processor communicates with the mechanical couplings to establish an orientation where a local gravity vector projects onto the planar surface and generates acceleration with magnitude and direction substantially equal to the desired acceleration a.sub.R The operations occur in cyclic fashion so the desired accelerations and planar orientations are updated as an object transits over the planar surface.

Provided is a sphere magnetic levitation system having magnetic-aligning devices that magnetically align the position of a sphere levitated by electromagnets according to whether the sphere is levitated, and a method of operating the sphere magnetic levitation system. The sphere magnetic levitation system includes: a sphere; a plurality of electromagnets symmetrically positioned about the sphere and spaced apart from the sphere at equal distances; and a plurality of magnetic-aligning devices provided around the sphere, and coming into contact with the sphere or separated from the sphere by a predetermined distance according to the modes of the system. The system is operated in one mode from among: an idle mode, in which the magnetic-aligning devices are in direct contact with and support the sphere; and an operation mode, in which the magnetic-aligning devices are separated from the sphere and the sphere is levitated and rotated.

Provided is a sphere magnetic levitation system having magnetic-aligning devices that magnetically align the position of a sphere levitated by electromagnets according to whether the sphere is levitated, and a method of operating the sphere magnetic levitation system. The sphere magnetic levitation system includes: a sphere; a plurality of electromagnets symmetrically positioned about the sphere and spaced apart from the sphere at equal distances; and a plurality of magnetic-aligning devices provided around the sphere, and coming into contact with the sphere or separated from the sphere by a predetermined distance according to the modes of the system. The system is operated in one mode from among: an idle mode, in which the magnetic-aligning devices are in direct contact with and support the sphere; and an operation mode, in which the magnetic-aligning devices are separated from the sphere and the sphere is levitated and rotated.