Ground vehicle simulation has a vast range of applications such as car driving, truck and bus simulation for the emergency services, driver training or human factor research. XPI Simulation understands that all projects are cost-critical and so ensures its simulation solutions are affordable and specifically designed for individual customers’ needs.

In a simulator, drivers are able to practice handling potentially dangerous emergency situations, vehicle malfunctions and specific manoeuvres. A further advantage to using simulation is the ability to change and control environmental effects. XPI Simulation software has specialist lighting techniques and particle effects to generate different scenarios, time of day and weather conditions that affect driving such as snow, fog and low level sunlight.

Car driving simulator

A screenshot showing specialist lighting techniques. Click on an image to enlarge

Driving training through an urban scene is one of the most demanding simulation applications owing to the high overdraw demands at high update rates. Obtaining believability requires a sufficiently detailed scene, a flicker-free, constant update rate, high enough image resolution to assess distances and speed, and 24 sub-pixel anti-aliasing to prevent pixel flashing or crawling outlines.

The stability of the image is particularly important in driver simulation for speed estimation. When driving a vehicle you need to be able to judge your own speed in comparison to other road users in order to drive in a normal manner. For example in car driver training, overtaking and crossing traffic lanes requires speed judgement, which is impossible to do if the image is jerky and the anti-aliasing poor.

To avoid these problems requires specialist hardware and software techniques. By using XPI Simulation’s Fabriano XL IG range, stable images in the database can be obtained rather than the jerky images often seen in games. XPI Simulation products easily handle high performance specs and deliver an outstanding image quality solution.

XPI Simulation software also offers spherical and cylindrical warping including edge blending for multiple channels. With a wrap around curved screen, the user has one large, panoramic view and benefits from a fully immersive environment.

For further realism, we can incorporate the mechanics to include force feedback from the driving controls to match the visuals. We also make use of intelligent traffic flow using individual artificially intelligent cars.

A screenshot showing level of detail and artificially intelligent traffic

XPI Simulation has been involved in a number of confidential projects for training speciality vehicles where the issue of latency is absolutely crucial, even more so than for fast jet applications.

The company has also recently delivered a unique custom made car driving simulator specially designed to be mobile in order to be used as a marketing tool at tradeshows throughout the UK. Together with the company Ballracing, XPI Simulation specially designed the mobile car driver simulator for one of the largest British motoring schools. The simulator is based in South East England but will be used as a promotional tool by the motoring school at locations throughout the UK.

Images of the Benson School of Motoring Simulator

For further information contact: [email protected]