Movies 4 Monday: Motion Simulators

Pete Walsh December 5, 2011

Several years ago I was lucky enough to attend DriveBathurst and experienced Porsche GT2 and GT3 hotlaps around the Mt Panorama circuit with multiple Bathurst winner Jim Richards and V8Supercars driver Alex Davision. As I watched the hot lapper before me exit the car puking in his helmet I figured the physical experience I was about to enjoy might be worlds away from the many virtual laps of the circuit I’d run from the comfort of my lounge.

And of course it was. The real Bathurst is an exhilarating roller coaster ride at speed. The physical forces are incredible and quite violent at times, not to mention the life altering risks posed by the concrete walls lining the edge of the track across the mountain.

Whilst car racing games can’t do much about introducing risk (Ed: Not sure, check out the video of the guy riding a robot below!), motion simulators continue to work away at creating the effect/feelings of being in a moving vehicle. Here are some of the more interesting motion simulator options I’ve come across recently, each with its own unique take on what’s involved to make the virtual experience seem more real. Have you experienced a motion simulator first hand? Post a comment, we’d love to hear about it!

4DOF Motion Racing Sim by Elsaco
Dramatic movements! Maybe this is what is needed to create the feeling of being in a race car.

The Blue Tiger Motion Simulator
A more refined and perhaps practical approach vs the 4DOF. Check out the friend assisted keyboard racer motion rig in the intro!

Kart Racing Pro in the Motion Pro II Racing Simulator by CXC Simulations
Limited driver movement. No doubt it would add to the playing experience but it just doesn’t seem anywhere near violent enough.

Driving Simulator from Max Planck Institute
Got a spare industrial robot in the shed out the back? Now you know what to do with it. Apart from being up in the air attached to a huge robot this seems very subdued.