Drive Simulators

FORUM8 offers its customers a wide range of simulator hardware options to meet their specific needs, from desk top and quarter-cab static & motion-based solutions to complex customized hardware systems.

FORUM8 Drive Simulators are used in a wide variety of applications, including:

• Driver Training
• Road Safety Research
• Advanced & Customized Driving Simulation
• Transport and Urban Planning

In addition to being able to power a range of different drive simulators, VR-Design Studio also has the capability to operate in a multi-user mode and hence enable multiple drivers to operate and interact with each other within the same 3D VR road network. FORUM8’s range of innovative drive simulation and training solutions are deployed by world leading research establishments, transportation authorities and vehicle manufacturers.

Examples of FORUM8 Drive Simulators

Standard system includes UC-win/Road and Drive Simulator. Navigation monitors and a motion platform can be added as a option.

Customized Driving Simulator

8DOF Traffic Safety Simulator

The high performance large-scale Driving Simulator

8DOF Traffic Safety Simulator is the high performance large-scale Driving Simulator based on FORUM 8’s Real-Time Interactive 3D Virtual Reality Simulation & Modeling Software UC-win/Road. This was planned and built for the Research Institute of the Highway Ministry of
Transport in China (RIOH) to be used in their traffic and safety research work in accordance with their detailed specification. In January 2009, FORUM8 received the order for customized development of this Driving Simulator an international tender and in February 2014, the Final Acceptance Test was complete, marking the completion of the entire project.

Expected outcome and functions

Function designed for driver behavior research

Having the ability to reproduce the driver’s driving sensation accurately, the simulator enables the users to conduct driving behavior research to evaluate a whole host of ‘human factors’ which may affect road traffic system.

• Measuring and analyzing a driver’s psychological characteristics and conducting research based on the results（lane change, acceleration / deceleration, turning, etc.）
• Researching the driving behavior of individuals divided into age groups（youth/adults/seniors, etc.）
• A function for researching the effects on traffic safety due to a variety of driver distractions (mobile phone, radio, etc.)
• The effect on traffic safety due to tiredness
• A function for researching the influence of alcohol, disease and drugs on traffic safety, and impaired driving behavior

Road traffic safety research functions

This simulator possesses road traffic safety research functions useful for research based on the status and design of the individual ‘road’ within the road traffic system.

• A function for road safety assessment at the design stage
• A function for road safety assessment at the management and maintenance stage
• Researching the technology for maintaining drivers’ safety when they are traveling in special sections of the road（long downhill road, tunnels, sharp curves, intersections, etc.）
• A function that enables detailed research into driving safety under changing road conditions including lighting, induction, and visibility
• VR optimization design function for road landscape and traffic facility installation
• A function that enables detailed research on technology for maintaining road safety under conditions in which multiple drivers are operating within the same transport network

Traffic safety research under special environmental circumstances

This simulator enables the user to investigate the effects and subsequent driving actions under a range of different environmental conditions.

• A function for traffic safety research under bad weather conditions（fog, ice and snow, high and low temperature, snowstorm, wind, etc.).
• A function for traffic safety and emergency and security countermeasure research under extreme traffic conditions(traffic accidents, abnormal traffic incidents, etc.).

Other Functions

As the FORUM 8 Driving Simulator can faithfully reproduce the real driving sensation it has many other applications in driving behavior research.

• A function for reviewing traffic safety criteria and rules; the function also includes various other related technical features.
• A function that enables the validation of the latest in-vehicle ITS systems
• A function that reproduces traffic accidents and judicial test function.

Human-Vehicle-Traffic Flow Interoperable Driving Simulation System for Interactive Information Exchange

Driving Simulator with 6 Degrees Of Freedom 0.7G motion platform for highly sophisticated research purposes.

FORUM8 delivered research-purpose driving simulator referred to as “Human-Vehicle-Traffic Flow Interoperable Driving Simulation System for Interactive Information Exchange” to Kyushu University Graduate School of Integrated Frontier Sciences on March 22, 2012.

Vehicular Dynamics Research & Evaluation SystemHigh-Precision Driving Simulator

5-screen 3D stereoscopic VR driving simulator

This simulator is the world-first 5-screen 3D stereoscopic VR driving simulator* that incorporates numerous elements such as driving simulation, traffic simulation, and vehicle dynamics& performances. It is particularly optimized to take into account and to monitor human perceptions and traits by incorporating complex mathematical models. The simulator is located inside the university’s National Innovation Complex (NIC). It was first introduced and publicized during the June 12, 2015 opening ceremony of the complex.
※As of June, 2015, this simulator is the first CAVE driving simulator that combines a large 5-screened 3D display, motion platforms, and a driving cockpit.

System Configuration

Though an accurate representation of visuals, motion, and vibration, this simulator is used for monitoring various factors such as vehicle and human cognition factors, with a future aim to derive a quantitative mathematical model.

1. The five 240-inch, high-luminance 3D HD 2 displays deliver a 315 degrees field of view, allowing the driver to feel the sense of “presence” inside the virtual space through the combined effects of overlapping objects, the sense of depth and the sense of distance.
2. Most existing simulators require the driver to practice and become familiar with it first, but this simulator can be driven as if driving a real car. This can significantly reduce research cost and time, potentially allowing a larger research sample selection. These characteristics make the simulator very ideal for many driving behaviour and human-vehicle interaction oriented researches.