Bob
24th May 2008, 00:34
The University of Nottingham has unveiled a motorcycle simulator, said to be the ‘first of its kind’.
The simulator, which uses a genuine Triumph Daytona chassis donated by the UK manufacturer, will be used to monitor rider behaviour, leading to advances in road safety and bike design.
The bike – which is linked to software previously used in car simulators - leans as it would in a real-life scenario, pushed by four pneumatic actuators. A road environment is then projected onto a large screen in front of the bike.
Dr Alex Stedmon said: "It is going to be a fantastic research facility for us. It's the first full-sized, moveable simulator that's linked to a projection screen and reconfigurable software. On the simulator we don't have to worry about the safety of riders or the weather (because it is indoors)."
The simulator, which uses a genuine Triumph Daytona chassis donated by the UK manufacturer, will be used to monitor rider behaviour, leading to advances in road safety and bike design.
The bike – which is linked to software previously used in car simulators - leans as it would in a real-life scenario, pushed by four pneumatic actuators. A road environment is then projected onto a large screen in front of the bike.
Dr Alex Stedmon said: "It is going to be a fantastic research facility for us. It's the first full-sized, moveable simulator that's linked to a projection screen and reconfigurable software. On the simulator we don't have to worry about the safety of riders or the weather (because it is indoors)."