Ian Haigh

Recent Posts

A Brief History of Motorsport Driving Simulators

3 min read

A Brief History of Motorsport Driving Simulators

I was recently asked if Ansible Motion built the very first motorsport-specific driving simulator. This was a compliment, I suppose – a bit of recognition that we’ve been designing and building ...

Motorsports Simulation

Vehicle Active Safety Systems

3 min read

Human Interactions with Active Safety Systems and Self-Driving Cars

Active safety has been a key topic in the automotive industry for more than 40 years. Since the first Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) were introduced in the late 1970s, there has been increasing ...

Vehicle Engineering, ADAS Validation

Motion Degrees of Freedom

4 min read

Motion Degrees of Freedom

Vehicle dynamicists often speak of the degrees of freedom (DOF) in a vehicle model – meaning the logical number of independent motions that can be calculated. A simple, lumped-parameter vehicle ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

Vehicle Testing Edge Cases in CASE

5 min read

Vehicle Testing Edge Cases in CASE

The acronym, CASE, refers to new developments in Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric vehicles, and there is no question that technological advances in all these areas are reshaping the concept ...

Vehicle Engineering, ADAS Validation

ebook-icon

Better by design:

10 Advantages of Ansible Motion DIL simulators

level-5-autonomous-cars-5-unexpected-consequences

5 min read

Level 5 Autonomous Cars: 5 Unexpected Consequences

Computer scientist, Alan Kay, famously quipped that, “Technology is anything that wasn’t around when you were born.” If this is true, then the dream ...

DIL Simulator Technology, ADAS Validation

3 min read

Real-time Models for Automotive Sensors

In the rush to innovate, include complex on-board systems into vehicle programs, and conduct the required virtual sign-offs for such systems, vehicle ...

DIL Simulator Technology

4 min read

Driver-in-the-Loop Simulators:  Who's the Driver?

Historically speaking, driving simulators have always attempted to connect real people with imaginary vehicles. The fundamental principle is not new. ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Driver in the Loop

3 min read

AI Training for Autonomous Cars

As on-board vehicle control systems continue to advance, the behind-the-scenes validation strategies required to develop them must advance as well. ...

Vehicle Engineering, ADAS Validation

3 min read

Driving Simulator Myths - Part 2

In the spirit of continuing on with our ‘driving simulator myths series’ (see Part 1 for the previous installment), I can’t help but comment on a ...

DIL Simulator Technology

3 min read

Testing vehicle sensors using HIL and DIL simulation

During on-board systems development programs, it is sometimes necessary to connect real sensor hardware to simulated environments, allowing ...

Virtual Proving Ground

3 min read

Driving Simulator Myths - Part 1

Over the last several years we’ve compiled something akin to a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to driving simulator technology. And ...

3 min read

Mitigating Motion Sickness in Real and Virtual Cars

Some might assert that autonomous personal vehicles are being developed to improve safety, reduce fuel consumption, decrease urban infrastructure ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Real-Time Simulation Challenge: Tires

In an age when so many vehicle sub-systems and components can be verified and signed off virtually – via off-line computer modeling, virtual test ...

Virtual Proving Ground, Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Autonomous Car Validation and… Gaming?

Self-driving cars are the new black. Every OEM and major tech company is taking on the autonomous challenge, and the competition is fierce. As an OEM ...

ADAS Validation

2 min read

How OEMs Harness the Power of Realistic Racing Simulators

Customer race cars are a growing market for major automotive manufacturers. GT3 racing in particular continues to attract new manufacturers. Lexus ...

Motorsports Simulation, Virtual Proving Ground

3 min read

Driving Simulator Hardware and Software Compatibility

In the early stages of specifying and deploying any new Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator, one of the most common considerations is the integration ...

DIL Simulator Technology

2 min read

Going Global with Vehicle Developments

In case you've happened to miss it, advances in computer graphics have elevated video gaming to a whole new level of realism in recent years. Witness ...

Virtual Proving Ground

2 min read

DIL Simulation as a Time Management Tool

Broadly speaking, today’s vehicles have significantly shorter production runs than the enduring products of yore. To wit: Volkswagen’s Beetle was ...

Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Driving Simulators and Human Physiology

Side-stepping entertainment applications, automotive driving simulators have historically been purposed almost exclusively towards human behavioral ...

DIL Simulator Technology

2 min read

Motorsports Simulators: Beyond Marginal Gains

The concept of Marginal Gains is not new, nor is it particularly revolutionary. In fact, at first glance, it is so self-evident and logical, that it ...

Motorsports Simulation

3 min read

ADAS Sensors and Beyond

If one needs an illustration of the sensor complexity that is arising from ADAS-capable vehicles evolving into new autonomous and semi-autonomous ...

ADAS Validation

2 min read

How to Stay in Touch with Connected Cars

These are still the early days for the human-machine interfaces (HMI) that will be crucial to the success of autonomous vehicles. And it’s unclear ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

Safety legislation for autonomous cars

Recent accident data leaves little doubt that safety will be one of the justifications for developing autonomous vehicle technologies in the coming ...

Vehicle Engineering, ADAS Validation

2 min read

Race Car Driving Simulators:  A Pre-Race Ritual

Like any athletes, race car drivers have become known for their superstitions and pre-race rituals. Stirling Moss favoured lucky #7 on his cars; ...

Motorsports Simulation

considerations-for-connected-cars.png

3 min read

3 Considerations for Connected Cars

In recent decades there has been a decided shift in the way new cars are introduced into the marketplace. Compression of time-to-market cycles has ...

ADAS Validation

3 min read

Virtual Sign-offs for On-board Vehicle Systems

Modern vehicles are equipped with a startling amount of on-board computer processing technology. Perhaps this is because we, as consumers, have come ...

Virtual Proving Ground, Vehicle Engineering, ADAS Validation

3 min read

Motorsports Simulators: The Name of the Game

A racing driver sits at the ready before the start of a qualifying session or race. Gripping the steering wheel, he looks straight ahead, then into ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Motorsports Simulation

3 min read

Big Data in Motorsports:  When Less is More

Measuring performance is a recognized pathway to success in motorsports. It stands to reason therefore that when permitted by regulations, race teams ...

Motorsports Simulation

2 min read

How to Keep Up with Autonomous Cars and ADAS

Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulators are becoming a more important ADAS and Autonomous vehicle / system development tool. But how can this be? After ...

Vehicle Engineering, ADAS Validation

2 min read

Secrets for Successful Race Day Preparation

Preparing for any race is as much an exercise in readiness and long-game strategy as anything else. As we discussed in a recent article, most major ...

Motorsports Simulation

2 min read

How to Buy a Driving Simulator

As evidenced by a flyer put out this last weekend by Costco, retail treasure hunting has never been better for automotive enthusiasts. More ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

The 411 on LiDAR Scanning: Guide for Professional Racers

Advances in mobile, laser-based measurement and surveying technologies – the same technologies that are currently informing autonomous road car and ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Motorsports Simulation

2 min read

In the Driver’s Seat: Motorsports Driving Simulator Realism

Dean Stoneman is one of Britain’s most talented young racing drivers. A former FIA Formula 2 champion, GP3 racer and Red Bull Junior Driver, he’s ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Motorsports Simulation

3 min read

Ultimate Guide to Race Car Driving Simulators: Testing Bans and Regulations

Regulations and restrictions play an increasingly important role in the look and feel of modern racing. Motorsport series such as NASCAR, Formula 1 ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Motorsports Simulation

2 min read

3 Automotive Industry Trends to Watch

We live in interesting times, to be sure. Pick an industry, group or movement, take a hard look, and you’ll see some interesting, consistent ...

DIL Simulator Technology

3 min read

Scenario and Immersion Tools for DIL Simulators

If driving the Trans-Canada Highway in Newfoundland is not quite adventurous enough for you (and if the ripping wind does not force you to park your ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Driver in the Loop, ADAS Validation

3 min read

Race Car Tuning with Driver-in-the-Loop Simulators

A properly set up Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator is a crucial tool in helping technical managers and racing engineers deal with common issues ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Motorsports Simulation

3 min read

7 Considerations for Integrating Vehicle HIL Simulations

When one speaks about computer simulation technology for automotive development, there are several categories to consider: Off-line modelling (OLM), ...

Driving simulator ground truth for technical managers

3 min read

Driving Simulator Ground Truth for Technical Managers

If you are an engineer who uses driving simulators to develop Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), then the terminology “ground truth” means ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Driver in the Loop, Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Driving Simulator Cueing Fundamentals

I must apologize. I spend so much time “inside the loop” with driving simulator technology that I can unintentionally skip fundamentals when speaking ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Driver in the Loop

3 min read

Vehicle Simulation with ADAS and On-board Systems

At this junction in history, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and other on-board electronic systems are not only a reality; they are a ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

The Quest for the Virtual Proving Ground

There is much to contemplate when converting a vehicle concept into reality. And although one could assert that the fundamental art and approach has ...

Virtual Proving Ground

3 min read

Best Practices for Testing Vehicle Active Safety Systems

Conducting comprehensive fail-safe tests with real drivers in prototype vehicles introduces additional costs and potential hazards (injury and/or ...

Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Before Your Next Project: 10 Questions to Ask Your Automotive Tier 1 Supplier

Modern motor vehicles are digital and electromechanical marvels, incorporating ever-greater numbers of increasingly complex, computer-controlled ...

Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Intelligent Transportation and Automotive Simulation

I time traveled last week and I have returned to describe the wonders of the future. My time machine was not a DeLorean (as in the Back to the Future ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

Preserving Automotive Brand Identity in the Electronic Age

Today’s automobiles have as much in common with advanced consumer electronics as they do transportation. In fact, according to Car & Driver ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Virtual Proving Ground, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

How to Use DIL Simulators for ADAS Development

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) implementations are on the rise as vehicle manufacturers continue to introduce greater levels of ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

Improving Steering System Performance with Driving Simulators

Traditionally, subjective evaluation of steering system performance has required the use of real test vehicles on real proving grounds. This stands ...

Driver in the Loop, Vehicle Engineering

driving simulator tire models

3 min read

3 Approaches for Driving Simulator Tire Models

At the heart of any engineering class Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulator is a vehicle physics model, a mathematical representation of the systems of ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

The Case for the Virtual Test Drive

For over a century, automobile manufacturers have developed their vehicles by driving them. Pre-production cars are taken out to test tracks and ...

Virtual Proving Ground

2 min read

Subjective and Objective Measurements in Driving Simulators

It can be agreed without debate that tuning and developing cars requires both subjective and objective assessments. Subjective information typically ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Anatomy of an Engineering-Class Automotive Driving Simulator

As noted in previous articles, automotive driving simulators can take on many forms, ranging from consumer-oriented entertainment devices to ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

The Handover to Autonomous Vehicles

Having just recently returned from the Autonomous Vehicle Symposium 2015, I am at my desk, gathering a few thoughts and notes -- and travel receipts. ...

Driver in the Loop, Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Use Cases for Automotive Driving Simulators

In order to succeed in the marketplace, vehicle constructors strive to create cars that are appealing to the senses of prospective buyers, and ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

2 min read

5 Tips for Eliminating Motion Sickness in Driving Simulators

Motion sickness has been a significant issue for automotive driving simulators since they were first introduced. This is because the very simulator ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Virtual Proving Ground

3 min read

Examining the Costs and ROI Benefits of Driving Simulators

The process of designing and testing automobiles and their components has grown exponentially complex and expensive as fundamental vehicle ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Vehicle Engineering

Vehicle dynamics challenges for DIL simulators

2 min read

3 Vehicle Dynamics Challenges for DIL Simulators

There is no question that one of the biggest challenges for ground vehicle Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulation in the area of vehicle dynamics is ...

Driver in the Loop, Vehicle Engineering

3 min read

Basic Facts about the 3 Main Types of Driving Simulators

There is a broad spectrum of Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulators in use in the world today – Ranging from low cost gaming-oriented devices to ...

DIL Simulator Technology, Driver in the Loop