Half Cab miniSim

This is our flagship miniSim. A real car halved just behind the front seats. All automobile controls, functions and features are retained. Display options include 180-degree projection screen. As close to real as it gets.

NADS miniSim™ Driving Simulator Description

General Architecture The driving simulator described in this document represents an advanced, flexible, and reliable driving simulator for the research needs of any high level research facility. The technology contained in the simulator represents over 13 years of simulator software development by the professional staff of the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) located at the University of Iowa, and leverages the software and experience behind the world-renown NADS-1 and NADS-2 simulators and the more recently developed miniSim™ PC-based simulator.

NADS miniSim™ Software and PC

The software delivered with all miniSim simulators consists of the following tools:

• The Tile Mosaic Tool (TMT) for assembling a road network from a library of 95 road/landscape segments called ‘Tiles’. You use the TMT to connect them together, control LODs, and export a complete database to the ISAT and miniSim. NADS can also create new tiles or modify existing ones to meet your specific needs.
• The Interactive Scenario Authoring Tool (ISAT) for building scenarios on the assembled database. The ISAT is windows-based and does not require scripting.
• The miniSim runs the scenario on the assembled database and provides both real-time measures and a comprehensive data acquisition file for post-processing in Matlab.
• The nDaqTools are NADS-design interfaces for Matlab to define the measures to be calculated, and to organize and control the data reduction process.

The typical miniSim™ PC hardware specification is as follows:

• Rackmount PC case
• Windows 10 Pro 64-bit OEM
• Intel Core i7 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor
• 2 SSD in RAID (500 Gb ea, 500 Gb usable)
• 32 GB DDR4 SDRAM
• o NVIDIA Quadro Pascal P6000 and P2000 GPUs

Note that for this application, the Quadro M6000 and M4000 video cards are used due to the requirements of the warping application.

The minSim electronics are mounted in a 19” rack and include:

• NADS miniSim PC
• Optional NADS VidCap video capture system
• Uninterruptable power supply (UPS)
• Audio amplifiers for speakers and Tactile Transducers

Half Cab Simulator

Please refer to the Technical Description for details about the NADS Minisim™ Research Driving Simulator. The miniSim is supplied with vehicle dynamic models for the following vehicles: Ford Taurus, Chevy Malibu, BMW 330i, Ford Excursion (RWD, AWD), Ford F150 (RWD, AWD), and Toyota Venza (with and without ABS and ESC). Each vehicle model is equipped with an appropriate graphic for the LCD dashboard display.

Cab characteristics:

• Constructed from a compact car (Mazda 6, etc )
• Modified as required to accept NADS active steering loader, pedal loader, and interface electronics.
• Mounted on casters and leveling feet
• Optional: disassembles to fit through a 36”W x 83”H door opening.
• The physical mirrors are retained
• Air bag inflators removed
• Two front and two rear interior speakers
• Two tactile transducers for engine and vibration
• Subwoofer mounted in engine bay

Photos of similar cabs are shown below:

• • LCD display that will act as the virtual instrument cluster
  • Real-vehicle seat, steering wheel with column gear selector, and pedals
  • Instrumented Turn Signals, Horn, Response Buttons, Gear Selector, Headlights, Wipers
  • Active DirectX Steering Loader from SimXperience
  • 2.1 channel sound system with vibration transducer under seat
  • Audio Amplifier with External Controls
• Single rack-mounted PC
• Three 1080p LED LCD widescreen displays of 48” diagonal measurement, with Canopy.
  • Horizontal FOV 138 to 180 degrees1
  • Vertical FOV 27 to 50 degrees2
• A 24” operator LCD for miniSim, ISAT and TMT interfaces
• Three 48” LCD Displays with custom monitor stand

Costs: Quarter Cab miniSim™:

Quarter Cab miniSim™ - $49,250
Includes:

• • miniSim Computer - Rackmount Case
  • Automotive Steering Wheel and Column
  • Automotive Pedals and Gear Selector
  • Tilt Wheel Adjustment
  • SimXperience Active Steering Loader
  • Automotive Black Vinyl Seat
  • Tactile Transducer and Amplifier
  • Instrument Panel Display and Dashboard
  • 2.1 Audio (Front L/R and Subwoofer)
  • Integral PC mounting

Display System:

• (3) 48" LED LCD and Stand - $6,750
  • 15' DVI cables
  • Matrox Triple Head Adapter

Installation and Training:

• On-Site Installation, 2-days onsite - $13,700
  • Setup of Quarter-Cab Simulator
  • miniSim and TMT Training on-site
  • ISAT and nDAQTools remotely

Crating:

• Quarter Cab with 3x48" Displays - $4,000

Shipping:

• • Customer pays shipping (FOB Iowa City, freight collect)

Options:

• NADS Video Capture System (HD SDI Cameras) - $10,600
  • PC, LCD Display, Keyboard, Mouse
  • NADS VidCap Software Installed and tested
• Fanatec Load Cell Brake Upgrade - $200
  • For Desktop and Simplified Cab Systems
• Button Box - $1,700
  • For Desktop Systems (incl. in Simplified Cab)
• NADS Springfield Road Network - $5,250
• Remote Training (ISAT only) - $2,775
• Standing Desk - $300

Schedule:

• Quarter Cab production time is 16-18 weeks. Lead times for the miniSim Quarter Cab configuration are from the date of the Award Activation Notice issued by the Department of Sponsored Programs (DSP).

NOTES:

• The option exists for the user to supply some of the parts according to a NADS-supplied shopping list.
• Shipping is not included. The customer pays directly for shipping.
• Alternative shipping options include:
  • UPS Parcel Service for Desktop systems.
  • Simplified and Quarter Cab systems may be moved by Padded Mover. Cost can be advantageous over traditional crating and freight. Contact NADS for details.
• Technical specs may change at any time due to hardware changes or availability.