This invention relates to the field of motion systems especially for simulating motion such as driving or flying. In particular, though not exclusively, the invention relates to motion generators, and to systems including such motion generators, and to methods of using motion generators and motion systems for example as vehicle simulators. One aspect of the invention relates to a primary motion generator (10,82,102) for use in a motion simulator for moving a primary payload (14) of 80 kg or more above a surface (12), the primary motion generator (10,82,102) being a parallel manipulator comprising: a primary frame or platform (11) for supporting the primary payload of 80 kg or more (14), three elongate linear guides (21,22,23) arranged transversely to each other below the frame in a planar array, at least one actuator (31,32,33) arranged per linear guide (21,22,23) above the surface, and controllable to move the linear guides (21,22,23) whereby the primary payload of 80 kg or more is movable in at least three degrees of freedom.

A system and method are that includes a frame and a weapon mount on the frame that receives a weapon mock-up. The method includes setting up a trainer simulator including opening a transportable shipping container, wherein the transportable shipping container includes a coupled integrated common base frame and a universal mount tower. The method includes assembling a seat and pivoting the universal mount tower from a horizontal position to a vertical position wherein the universal mount tower auto-locks into position. The method includes delivering ground vehicle based weapon system training to a user using a continuum of human interface fidelities that includes a first, second and third fidelity, wherein the user is first delivered training at a first fidelity, and then at a second fidelity and then at a third fidelity. A system for a mission reconfigurable trainer simulation is also presented.

A system and method are that includes a frame and a weapon mount on the frame that receives a weapon mock-up. The method includes setting up a trainer simulator including opening a transportable shipping container, wherein the transportable shipping container includes a coupled integrated common base frame and a universal mount tower. The method includes assembling a seat and pivoting the universal mount tower from a horizontal position to a vertical position wherein the universal mount tower auto-locks into position. The method includes delivering ground vehicle based weapon system training to a user using a continuum of human interface fidelities that includes a first, second and third fidelity, wherein the user is first delivered training at a first fidelity, and then at a second fidelity and then at a third fidelity. A system for a mission reconfigurable trainer simulation is also presented.

A driving accident simulation, having a head-wearable user interface (e.g., a head-worn virtual-reality display), may be used to inform a driver of the driver's potential liability under different insurance options. The simulation may determine damages caused by the simulated accident, and identify multiple insurance options and the resulting user liability under each option. The simulation may also be used to assess an insurance adjuster's ability to estimate damages from an accident, by receiving the adjuster's estimate and comparing it to the simulation's own estimate of damages. In some embodiments, the simulation may present a driver with a simulated view from a point of view of another party to the simulated accident.

A shifter simulator system comprising a frame with a gear stick hinge, a gear stick that is hingedly connected to the frame via the gear stick hinge, and a moveable frame part configured for moving relative to the frame and provided with a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The shifter simulator system also includes a magnetic contact and a tilting element configured for tilting around a tilting axis via a tilting connection in response to a movement of the gear stick and providing a first lever, and wherein the tilting element is provided with a first contact element and a second contact element configured for engaging the respective first and second contact surfaces of the moveable frame part providing a second lever, and by moving the moveable frame part defining a shifter movement with the magnetic contact. The first and/or second levers are adjustable.

Providing user assistance in a vehicle includes identifying a traffic behavior of an object in an environment surrounding the vehicle based on an evaluation of information about the environment surrounding the vehicle while the vehicle is in the midst of manual operation, and issuing an alert to a user prompting the user to implement defensive manual operation. The user assistance further includes receiving a traffic behavior model that describes a predominating traffic behavior of a like population of reference objects, and issuing the alert to a user prompting the user to implement defensive manual operation in response to identifying that the traffic behavior of the object does not match the predominating traffic behavior of the like population of reference objects. Under the defensive manual operation, the traffic behavior of the object is addressed.

Providing user assistance in a vehicle includes identifying a traffic behavior of an object in an environment surrounding the vehicle based on an evaluation of information about the environment surrounding the vehicle while the vehicle is in the midst of manual operation, and issuing an alert to a user prompting the user to implement defensive manual operation. The user assistance further includes receiving a traffic behavior model that describes a predominating traffic behavior of a like population of reference objects, and issuing the alert to a user prompting the user to implement defensive manual operation in response to identifying that the traffic behavior of the object does not match the predominating traffic behavior of the like population of reference objects. Under the defensive manual operation, the traffic behavior of the object is addressed.

A virtual reality vehicle and/or equipment training system and platform within contextually relevant simulated environments. The system and platform simulates accurate vehicle and/or equipment dynamics of various vehicles through vehicle modules. The simulated vehicles and/or equipment are placed within contextually relevant simulated physical environments, and communicate with other vehicle modules and users of the platform. The system and platform allows for multiple simulated vehicles and/or equipment to exist and interact in the same simulated physical environment. The system allows for rapid development of trainers for different vehicles, different equipment, different physical environments, and different scenarios. The characteristics of the system which most directly enable this rapid development are the use of commodity computer hardware, use of common interface-deployment toolkits, and use of a data-driven architecture where participating modules are generic until being configured at runtime. The system and platform is capable of responsiveness measurement and assessment of a simulator occupant.

The present invention pertains to the technical field of teaching or training simulators, more specifically the field of those especially designed for providing instruction on driving vehicles or other means of transport, and it particularly refers to a compact motion simulator for creating motion in three directions.

Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a tool for use by drivers and/or coaches throughout the pre-license stage of obtaining a driver’s license. A pre-license program may control a computing device to collect drive data while a driver is driving a vehicle. This drive data may be used to detect a drive event. Then, the computing device may present coaching information associated with the detected drive event. The coaching information may provide a passenger, such as a coach or parent, with real-time advice for instructing the driver how to improve his/her driving skills. Moreover, the drive data collected may be used to prepare reports providing feedback to the drivers and coaches. Further, the pre-license program may determine an expected track for a driver to follow to prepare for a driver’s license test and may indicate whether the driver is on or off the track.