Effect of simulator motion space on realism in the Desdemona simulator

Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of an increasing motion space on the fidelity of driving simulation in the Desdemona research simulator. The experimental task was a standardized slalom maneuver where the car velocity was limited to 70 km/h. Subjective measures, which included eight statements on realism and task performance were used to assess simulation fidelity. The slalom task was driven in four conditions: 1) one-toone motion space, 2) 0.7 times the motion space, 3) 0.4 times the motion space, and 4) nomotion. The conditions were compared pair-wise. In total 16 participants completed the experiment. Compared to the no-motion condition, driving a slalom maneuver in Desdemona was judged more realistic when motion cues were available, where the magnitude of the motion, within the range of 0.4 to 1, has less to no effect on the realism compared to the issue of motion versus no-motion. Furthermore, the participants indicated that motion and forces actuated by Desdemona helped to conduct their task better.