Spring/Summer 2011 6DOF Racing Car Motion Simulator prototype build starts

Over 5 years in development and having considered more than 40 unique and innovative concepts, Motion Simulation's final design of its 6DOF racing car motion simulator is in place. Details of the launch will be provided over the coming months. For further information please contact us through info@motionsimulation.com

October 2010 Optimising Motion Control Algorithms

A number of motion control algorithms have been assessed and integrated into the latest version of our component-based control software. These will allow us to maximize realism across multiple platform axes.

August 2010 New simulator design defined

Pulling our shortlist of three key design directions into one ultimate solution has been a detailed and comprehensive process. Watch this space!

July 2010 Cutting-edge designs taking shape ...

Having worked through over forty different styling directions, we now have a defined shortlist of designs. They look exceptional and truly unique.

June 2010 New multi-axis software in place

A new version of Motion Simulation's simulator software is in place, allowing full control of a variety of simulator design configurations with the main focus on optimising our new 6DOF simulator design.

April 2010 6DOF Racing car simulator launch initiative

Motion Simulation's brand new, ultra immersive, six degree of freedom (6DOF) racing car simulator takes a huge step forward. Engineering designs are now in place for this ultra immersive, innovatively designed racing car simulator. A full launch initiative will be announced later this year: please contact Motion Simulation for further information via info@motionsimulation.com

February 2010 Our eyes to the world

Tests remain ongoing with the new hardware and motion control protocol to achieve high dynamics with accuracy and repeatability. Extensive research is also being pulled together to commence prototyping a new visual solution: this will form an integral part of the simulator's immersion factor.

January 2010 6DOF Racing car simulator

Having spent over 3 years on development, Motion Simulation's cutting edge six degree of freedom racing car simulator concept is in place. A full launch initiative will be announced later this year.

December 2009 Increasing sample rate and bandwidth

An implementation of new hardware and motion control protocol has allowed a dramatic increase in sample rate, allowing Motion Simulation to increase and optimise telemetry bandwidth. Tests are just starting with this new configuration which will be a major step towards the ultimate high fidelity solution.

October 2009 Increase to telemetry sample rate

Work has now begun on increasing the telemetry sample rate to 'professional' levels, bringing our temporal resolution up to par with our spatial resolution, i.e. motor precision. This requires a robust timing architecture, and exceptionally fast data transmission from PC to motors.

August 2009 Revisions to motion control system

Recent development has focused on the motion control system, in which different motion profiles and feedback mechanisms have been rigorously assessed. This has resulted in motor positioning with much improved accuracy and precision. As a side benefit, the platform now operates more efficiently and quieter.

July 2009 New motion platform software architecture

The motion platform software architecture has been revised to support a range of telemetry data sources. These include the latest realistic simulator software titles, as well as on-track telemetry data. Motion Simulation Ltd is now powering its test rigs with the most realistic vehicle and track data.

June 2009 New professional 6DOF simulator under development

Motion Simulation Ltd has fulfilled a number of key objectives in the 2 and 3DOF simulator test rigs. This has allowed us to define a clear path forward with our software and motor solutions. Priority has now been set to develop a fully professional 6DOF racing car simulator taking CAD concepts originally drawn up in January 2007 to full engineering models. This product will be a full driver in the loop simulator for driver training and car set up development for race engineers.

March 2009 New improved software code is driven for the first time

The new software and many tuning opportunities it contains has started to be evaluated. This will allow Motion Simulation to tune the software to the new Test Rig ( 2). A new roll mechanism has also been fabricated and will be tested shortly. All of these new engineering principles working in a highly dynamic, controlled and synchronised way will ensure this development achieves its objectives of being the most advanced, highly dynamic, low cost motion simulator available.

February 2009 New software code is near to completion

Over the last few months a number of key engineering and software requirements have been assessed, defined and developed to take us a large step forward from earlier work. This has lead to an increase in motor force and the ability to very finely control the demand to variable Hz levels. Over the coming weeks the new software, motor force and new Test Rig pivot design will be assessed in order to define the optimum driving solution.

November 2008 Software code and motor tuning move forward to the next level

An extensive amount of test driving has been done over the last 6 weeks or so which has been of great assistance in defining a number of core engineering principles and software filtering requirements. Test Rig 1 will continue to be used as the motors and software are tuned to the chassis. Once defined requirements have been achieved, Test Rig 2 will start to be driven. 'We are at a crucial stage in creating a unique feel and the ability to tune our products well beyond what is normally found in race car simulation', said company founder and CEO Jonathan Bell. 'We have made such incredible progress over the last few months in being able to test drive our development. Fulfilling our needs through the coming stages is going to be the really exciting bit that will firmly set our products apart'.

September 2008 Test Rig driven for the first time. Test Rig 2 fabricated

Over the last few weeks the high speed motors were connected to the Test Rig for the first time using a simulator software title as telemetry data feed. Initially, the Test Rig was only running through the software's Artificial Intelligence (AI), however, after a few weeks it has started to be driven in real time. From these early stages, Motion Simulation have defined a path forward to improve the accuracy of the way in which the telemetry data is processed. Next steps will be to complete these software improvements and then fine tune the software settings from which the Test Rig will be pushed to the next level of performance. In addition to the above, a new 2nd Test Rig (Test Rig 2) has been fabricated and delivered. This includes a chassis that is 72% lighter than the first version which will allow Motion Simulation to fully exploit the dynamic potential of the motors.

August 2008 Significant milestone reached with motor programming

An extensive amount of specialised software development work has been undertaken to date to ensure that Motion Simulation Ltd fulfils its desire to create a no compromise race car motion simulation solution. Recently a major milestone has been reached of moving the high speed motors with telemetry information from a simulation software title. A number of communication protocols and kinematics algorithms are currently being assessed in order to define the optimum solution and next steps. Over the coming weeks the motors will be connected to the Test Rig for the first time. In addition to this a number of pedal, gearbox, steering wheel and screen solutions are being assessed.

July 2008 Motor programming starts

Over the last few weeks Motion Simulation Ltd has started to program their motors. This is the initial step in getting the test rig to run with the simulator software. An extensive amount of tests will be undertaken to ensure pre-defined control and safety parameters are met before a person will be allowed to drive.

May 2008 Motion Simulation Ltd sign off Stage 1 of their software development

After an intensive period of assessing different data processing and transfer speed options, Motion Simulation Ltd has today signed off Stage 1 of their software telemetry interface development. "Work will commence very shortly on programming our high speed motors, this is a very exciting time for us taking our CAD designs and motor simulation models into reality" was the reaction of CEO Jonathan Bell. "We can already see a clear path forward in the evolution of our 2 and 3 DOF designs beyond the test rig set up and can't wait to feel the results of all this hard work coming together".

March 2008 Motion Simulation Ltd reach Stage 1 of their telemetry software development

This is a significant breakthrough; we are now able to pull a staggering amount of telemetry data out of a simulator software title in real time, for pitch, roll and heave movements. An immense amount of work has been undertaken to reach this milestone. From here we will be looking to tweak many settings to fine tune the feel of the simulator including drive speed, reverberation and yaw.

February 2008 Prototype 1 Completed

Full fabrication of the first prototype test rig was completed today. This will be the mule from which Motion Simulation Ltd will be able to evaluate overall performance, dynamics and health and safety issues. Finished in a highly visible red colour, the test rig will initially be run on 24/7 cycles full of sandbags acting as ballast learning many things from this initial stage which will allow us to progress to the Stage 2 prototype.

January 2008 20 Design Concepts Presented to Motion Simulation Ltd

Today saw the presentation of 20 different design concepts for the future look of a static platform, 2 and 3DOF concepts. "Exceptionally innovative, full of fresh ideas" was the reaction by CEO Jonathan Bell, "...these products will set a new standard in the market place" he continued. Motion Simulation Ltd is currently fabricating Prototype Stage 1 with their first test rig. Following this, we will move to Stage 2 of the design development, bringing together four or five of the strongest concepts to create the ultimate design solution.

January 2008 Prototype 1 Development Starts

Fabrication started this week on the Prototype test rig. This being an over engineered version of the engineering concept. We have been informed works should be completed late Feb.

January 2008 Test Drives 6DOF Motion Platform

Today CEO of Motion Simulation Ltd Jonathan Bell test drove a 6DOF (Degree of Freedom) race, rally simulator at the Autosport 2008 Motorsport Show at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. This motion platform is based on the traditional 6 legged configuration as used by most Flight Motion Simulators. On completing his drive Bell commented "The first corner sequence was interesting.  The platform seemed to move in relation to what I was doing but not as immediately as I would have liked.  As I turned into the corner, there was no real loading of the steering wheel and only a small impression of what the car was doing.  Pedal feel was excellent (very satisfying) but I could not sense whether the wheels were locking.  I am not sure whether this is the result of poor dynamics from the platform or poor game software". Price quoted for this product was 160,000 Euro.

December 2007 Innovative Car Design Company Commissioned to Design Simulator

Further to initial discussions in August, Motion Simulation Ltd today commissioned the services of one of the world's most specialised, light weight sports car manufacturers to develop the look of their motion simulator. CEO Jonathan Bell commented "I am extremely excited to work with such professionals - their past work speaks for itself, I can't wait to see what comes out of this commission".

November 2007 Data is Simulated

Today Motion Simulation Ltd received confirmation from a potential motor partner that their units will meet our pre-defined torque, power and load requirements. This is a significant breakthrough. Unloaded, these motors have the potential to accelerate up to 20G and have a frequency of up to 40Hz with micron accuracy. Motion Simulation Ltd intend to simulate as close to real life suspension movement as possible and will closely assess the performance potential when these motors are installed within the prototype test rig.

October 2007 Designs for Top Level Formula 1 Simulator Seen

CEO Jonathan Bell today visited a small company who developed and supplied a 6 Degree of Freedom (DOF) motion simulator for one of the very top Formula 1 teams. The designs and specifications were discussed. Bell remarked that the principles of the design had a lot in common with concepts produced by Motion Simulation Ltd in January 2007.

October 2007 Concept 4 CAD

A new design emerges as performance requirements are defined based on the telemetry based torque and power requirements. This includes some core pivot points to maximise performance and immersion in the driving experience.

October 2007 True GPS Telemetry Data Used as Development Base-Line

Based on telemetry information recorded from an Ariel Atom 300 in August, Motion Simulation Ltd has broken the data down into thousandths of a second specific time sequences. A 20 second sequence is identified as providing maximum lateral and longitudinal G force data based on a 130mph to 30 mph braking area and a sequence of high speed left to right corners. This data will commence a process from which to identify torque, power and load requirements for the chosen motion simulator drive solution.

September 2007 F1 Engineer Appointed

Ex F1 engineer appointed to take concepts forward to the next level. Utilising real life track based telemetry information, objectives are to find drive solutions that can recreate the forces imposed onto the driver, millisecond by millisecond.

August 2007 Concept 3 CAD

A streamlined version of concept 2 has now been developed. Less parts and a simpler, yet aesthetically pleasing principle emerges.

June 2007 Concept 2 CAD

Full working CAD now built using physical CAD parts. Due to complexity and number of components, a streamlined approach is required.

May 2007 Concept 1 CAD

A fully working CAD model for a 2DOF motion platform is created. It is unique compared to all other market solutions. Tests continue.

April 2007 Supplier Discussions Continue

Discussions and meetings with over 40 potential suppliers have now taken place. It is quickly becoming apparent that traditional linear ball screw drive solutions do not provide the desired dynamic performance requirements. Alternatives solutions are being sought.

February 2007 CAD Concept Work Starts

Initial sketch and concept principles are realised through full CAD concept drawings. This will allow Motion Simulation Ltd to quickly determine what works and what doesn't. Initial principle of seat only movement are dismissed as it is too removed from a real race car environment. Whole driver cockpit will move through Pitch, Roll and Yaw.

October 2006 Development Begins

Development begins on three different motion platform concepts ranging from 2 Degrees Of Freedom (DOF) Pitch and Roll to full 6DOF solutions. Supplier meetings take place to determine viable drive solutions.

March 2005 Market Research

An extensive amount of research has been undertaken, defining simulator products available in the market place. All aspects of these products have been assessed in order to define viability and suitability to specific audiences.

2000 to date PC Hardware

Following the launch of Grand Prix 3 in mid 2000, Bell started investing in premium steering wheels, pedals, gearboxes and low cost motion simulators from specialist companies. Having run a variety of hardware peripherals from these established brands, Bell could see there was still some gap between simulator hardware and on track reality.

1998 to date PC Based Simulator Titles Leave a Big Impression

Company founder and CEO Jonathan Bell was simply astonished to see the attention to detail in titles such as Grand Prix Legends back in 1998, Grand Prix 3 and, through the evolution of PC technologies, latterly GT Legends and GTR2. Over 10 years on he is still a dedicated simulator game fan.

Sports and Race Cars

Bell has an insatiable appetite for anything automotive. Track and sprint events started following the purchase of a Caterham Superlight R in 2000 (400bhp/ton). This extremely lightweight, focused little British sports car has a classic front engine, rear wheel drive layout with the driver's seat over the rear axle.

This was followed by a Radical SR3 1500 Supersport. This is a featherweight race car, running a Suzuki Hayabusa motorbike engine, tuned to 252bhp from its tiny 1500cc's engine produces impressive down force and staggering cornering and braking ability. The car was run by Bell for over 18 months at more than 30 events in the UK and Europe.

In 2006 Bell purchased the awesome Ariel Atom 300. This super lightweight British sports car has received plaudits from all levels of the media for its unique exo skeletal design and impressive handling. This is the first non-normally aspirated sports car Bell has run, the supercharged Honda Type R engine produces 300 bhp , meaning circa 600bhp/ton and an incredible 0-60mph time of 2.6 secs.