Vection™ is a deterministic real-time simulation system. This run-time software package includes advanced vehicle dynamics, scenario control with both scripted and autonomous traffic simulation, flexible data collection, audio and visual subsystems, and integrated support for cab instrumentation, control loading and motion platform control. Vection provides an extremely powerful environment to provide realistic driving simulation experiences and measure the desired results. Vection runs on top of a custom Linux operating system.

Visuals
The DriveSafety simulators utilize high resolution textured graphics (1024 x 768 pixels per display unit) to deliver high visual quality without sacrificing performance. All geometry is designed to run efficiently in real-time, maintaining a 60 Hz update rate in most situations and with 48 msec measured system latency. The simulators’ virtual drives utilize user-definable databases created with the HyperDrive Authoring Suite’s™ library of over 400 driving environment tiles or the pre-programmed Simetrx™ drives. Roadways and traffic control devices are geometrically correct and modeled to highway design standards.

Dynamics
Realistic vehicle dynamics are essential when simulating the driving experience. The simulators utilize high-speed (2400Hz) multi-body vehicle dynamics that excel in representing real world vehicle performance and handling characteristics. A variety of vehicle dynamics models are available.

Autonomous and Scripted Traffic
The driving simulators have the ability to simulate 256 totally autonomous interactive ambient vehicles in the simulated environment. Vehicles are created, destroyed and controlled by the system with no scripting or user input required. These vehicles obey traffic laws, signage and signal devices. They interact realistically with other vehicles based on human behavior/decision models and real-time physics-based vehicle dynamics calculations. If specific behavior is desired, vehicles and other entities can be issued script commands through the use of triggers, timers, paths, routes and many other scenario tools. These tools can be used to create anything from simple triggered events to advanced relational behaviors.

Scenario Control
Scenario control is where the power of the DriveSafety simulators resides. Driving researchers can control traffic signals, ambient traffic, scripted traffic, roadway friction, weather conditions, etc. Through the use of triggers, virtually any scenario can be designed. Whether it is human behavior, in-vehicle device usability studies, medical research or interior cab design, the simulator scenario control along with the HyperDrive Authoring Suite™ will provide the customizations needed to achieve the goals. Scenario control is not offered with Simetrx drives.

Data Collection
Real-time data collection capabilities built into the DriveSafety driving simulators make it possible to collect a wide range of data at rates up to 60 Hz. Over 80 standard performance measures are provided. In addition, users can define 25 of their own measurement functions. The simulators support the integration with third-party data collection hardware including eye trackers, physiological measurement devices, and external input/coding systems. Collected data is coded and organized into files that are ready for analysis with off-the-shelf statistical analysis packages.

Vection is included with all DriveSafety driving simulation systems.