University Simulation Honours/Thesis Project

Hi everyone,

I'm going into my final year of mechatronics engineering and will be starting my honours project.

I want to do a project on motion simulation or simulation in general. I'm meeting with one of the university researchers tomorrow to brainstorm a project. He's mentioned previously that I can't just build/design a motion simulator and will have to incorporate some sort of research or "new" aspect to the project.

I was thinking of an idea of an infinite yaw platform so we don't have to use washout's etc.

I'd love to grab some ideas from the more advanced/seasoned builders about some project ideas in areas of simulation that need more work or innovation.

Even if your ideas are absolutely ridiculous, please post them! It can help generate ideas for the project.

Infinite Yaw has been done quite a bit, with many sims and even a delivering kickstarter. IMO Infinite Yaw is also not that useful in a simulator. You could look into pressure systems like what I have fitted in my own sim - really the future of simulation.

Thanks SeatTime!

I've previously seen your sim's and love them.

A pressure system would definitely be something I could work with. Being able to replicate G-forces accurately is an area that seems pretty lacking from my very basic google searches.

Perhaps a suit that has bladders' or something that inflate to put pressure on the user?

Thanks guys,

I'll bring these ideas up with the researcher. He specializes in automotive mechatronics so hopefully together we can develop something pretty sweet. I'll keep this thread updated on what we brainstorm.

So we had a chat for about an hour today.

Sadly we pretty much ruled out building a simulator as it would take a long time in construction and leave no time for a thesis study.
The only option for building a simulator would be if I developed a new mechanical design in a more researched orientated approach. I think this would still be plausible but very difficult to find something new with enough content to write a thesis on.

We discussed the ideas on g-seats and pressure systems which led to the main discussion of:
"Is there a way to simulate extreme g forces/motion without killing the pilot? Can a system be developed to provide intuitive information to pilots remotely?"

We mainly talked about advanced UAV flight/maneuvers that pull extreme g forces that would instantly kill a pilot. Remote piloting these sorts of vehicles during these maneuvers is extremely difficult without the correct feedback for intuitive control.

We also talked about 'Dynamic Soaring' as a method of "free energy" for gliders.
He mentioned that automating this process is very difficult to do and takes an extremely well trained pilot to do properly.
Theoretically you can also achieve dynamic soaring in the stratosphere. To do this maneuver at high speeds the vehicles undergo ridiculous g forces, certainly more than a pilot could handle.

If a system could be developed to provide intuitive feedback to a pilot, they could perhaps achieve these dynamic soaring effects remotely to indefinitely fly UAV's/vehicles for "free".

He also said that this form of feedback system could be utilized by helicopter pilots so they have a higher level detail of feedback on the rotors compared to just the feedback in the control stick.

I'd love to get your thoughts/ideas on these discussions! (Even if it is moving away from a DIY motion simulator project...)

The discussion definitely went in a different direction than I expected, but I guess that was the whole point.

Definitely agree here.

I just saw @SeatTime's "G-Helmet"
https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/seattimes-sims.11757/page-2
and this video


I assume that if a system was developed to accurately simulate these forces some form of helmet/suit would be worn. Maybe even down to playing with inner ear/inertial perceptions of the human body? None of this system has to be physically built so I can have a bit of fun exploring crazy ideas that might be too unethical/dangerous to implement realistically.

Did the G-Helmet ever go anywhere? I'd love to bring that concept up with the researcher a bit further.