Engineering firm develops F1 driving simulator that could save car manufacturers millions

An engineering firm has created an F1 driving simulator that it’s hoped will save car manufacturers ‘millions’.

The driving simulator is said to be ‘the most dynamic, realistic, and scalable driving simulator in the world’. 

So much so, that it’s thought that it could end the need for expensive prototypes.

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Dynisma Motion Generators (DMG) was founded by Motorsport engineer, Ash Warne, at a farm close to Bristol back in 2017.

And after going from strength to strength, he’s just signed an exclusive deal to supply British supercar company, McLaren Automotive.

Steve Sutcliffe, a motoring journalist for Auto Express, told the BBC that he predicts the new simulator ‘will save car manufacturers tens of millions of pounds’.

If an F1 driver is in a simulator, the machine needs to react in the same 100-millisecond window as they do.

The wrap-around screen needs to respond fast to brakes, steering wheel, or accelerator.

The driver’s cockpit is held on electronically extendable struts to simulate precisely how a car corners.

Meanwhile, virtual reality goggles show the track at hundreds of miles an hour.

Most simulators have a 30-40 millisecond lag, which feels ‘less real’ to the initiated compared to the Dynisma simulator’s three milliseconds.

Sutcliffe said it is ‘super, super close’ to the real deal.

Speaking of on-screen versus on the track, a NASCAR driver once overtook five other cars using a physics trick he saw in a videogame.

However, rather than training F1 drivers, this simulator will be used by car designers and engineers.

It’s hoped to nix the need to build a physical prototype for every car model to test on roads – and it’s far cheaper.

“Manufacturers can run through a whole series of tests in one day that would take many months and millions of pounds if they had to make a prototype in the real world,” said Warne.

McLaren has bought the simulator and signed a partnership deal to develop further refinements.

“We’re able to explore new ideas – including those that exist only as concepts – quickly and efficiently in the virtual world without using real-world resources,” Mark Salmon, McLaren’s principal engineer for Advanced Virtual Engineering, told the BBC.

“And when we’re developing a new technology or feature – or even a whole new vehicle – we can test and evaluate different scenarios instantly, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”

If you like the idea of having a go, this unbelievable simulator lets you play games using actual physical car.

For now though, manufacturers will still have to make real prototypes, but much later in the development process.

McLaren hopes to cut out real-life prototyping altogether someday.

Engineers can experiment with new solutions quickly and cheaply for the development and production of battery electric vehicles.

It’s also hoped that advanced technology like the car simulator, or robotic assembly lines – like the ones at Amazon and Mercedes – will help the UK compete globally by filling vacancies in the manufacturing sector.