Hans-Günther Nusseck

MPI Motion Simulator: Development and Analysis of a Novel Motion Simulator

This paper discusses the technical issues that were required to adapt a KUKA Robocoaster for use as a real-time motion simulator. Within this context, the paper addresses the physical modifications and the software control structure that were needed to have a flexible and safe experimental setup. It also addresses the delays and transfer function of the system. The paper is divided into two sections. The first section describes the control and safety structures of the MPI Motion Simulator. The second section shows measurements of latencies and frequency responses of the motion simulator. The results show that the frequency responses of the MPI Motion Simulator compare favorably with high-end Stewart Platforms, and therefore demonstrate the suitability of robot-based motion simulators for flight simulation.

Are recognition deficits following occipital lobe TMS explained by raised detection thresholds

It is known that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) administered over the occipital pole suppresses recognition of visual objects. Our aim was to ascertain whether this suppression can be interpreted as a change in visual contrast threshold. Four subjects detected the orientation of an U-shaped hook flashed for 21 ms. Under control conditions, mean contrast threshold was found at 0.88 log units Weber contrast. Thresholds were raised if TMS was applied 40-200 ms after the visual stimulus. Maximum elevation was 1.67 log units under TMS at 120 ms stimulus onset asynchrony. This phenomenon can be interpreted as a reduction in signal-to-noise ratio of the visual stimuli by TMS, which can be compensated for by increasing the contrast of the stimuli.

Motion Scaling for High-Performance Driving Simulators

Advanced driving simulators aim at rendering the motion of a vehicle with maximum fidelity, which requires increased mechanical travel, size, and cost of the system. Motion cueing algorithms reduce the motion envelope by taking advantage of limitations in human motion perception, and the most commonly employed method is just to scale down the physical motion. However, little is known on the effects of motion scaling on motion perception and on actual driving performance. This paper presents the results of a European collaborative project, which explored different motion scale factors in a slalom driving task. Three state-of-the-art simulator systems were used, which were capable of generating displacements of several meters. The results of four comparable driving experiments, which were obtained with a total of 65 participants, indicate a preference for motion scale factors below 1, within a wide range of acceptable values (0.4-0.75). Very reduced or absent motion cues significantly degrade driving performance. Applications of this research are discussed for the design of motion systems and cueing algorithms for driving simulation.

Learning System Dynamics: Transfer of Training in a Helicopter Hover Simulator

Transfer of training between the simulation of an inert and an agile helicopter dynamic was assessed involving a quasi-transfer design. The focus of this study was to test the ability of flight-naive subjects to successfully acquire and transfer the skills required to perform lateral sidestep hover maneuvers in a helicopter simulation. The experiments were performed using the MPI Motion Simulator with its ability to realize a highly realistic 1:1 motion representation of a simulated helicopter maneuver. As a result, the amount of training needed to stabilize either an agile or an inert helicopter dynamic did not differ. A clear positive transfer effect was found for the acquired skills from the agile to the inert dynamics but not from the inert to the agile dynamics.

Control of a lateral helicopter side-step maneuver on an anthropomorphic robot

Our society relies more and more on flight simulation for pilot training to enhance safety and reduce costs. But to meet the highest level of general technical requirements for simulators set forth by the FAA and EASA requires high-cost equipment. To make simulator use more accessible, reduced costs might be achieved with novel simulator designs and/or through research to improve the performance of existing designs. This report explores the use of such a novel design, based on an anthropomorphic robot arm to reproduce an experiment designed to evaluate flight simulator motion requirement for helicopter pilot training. Results compare promisingly well to those from a large, highperformance facility where the original work was performed.