Our mission: To develop, from the ground up, a three degree of freedom motion simulator integrating virtual reality technology and linear actuation. 

 

In 2019, the Themed Entertainment Association at SDSU set out to develop a VR motion simulator for three reasons:

1. To learn about this form of entertainment technology; technology used in theme parks, exhibits, and arcades around the world

2. To develop a marketable attraction for SDSU

3. To create an on-going and upgradable project that requires the integration of art and engineering 

 

The project was given to team VRoOoOM for initial development, a senior design team of mechanical engineers and members of TEA@SDSU. After a productive 2019-20 school year, the simulator has a fully formed and moving chassis (shaped like a race car), mounts for electrical displays and sensors, an attractive base for portability of the system, and controls for racing simulations. TEA@SDSU has also built a custom computer that will run the VR software while sending signals to the actuator controller. 

 

To simulate motion, four Feedback Linear Actuators by Progressive Automations were attached to the steel chassis:

The actuators are model PA-04-HS with Hall effect sensors installed for position feedback. The actuators connect to a central amplifier and control circuit that ensures precise motion. 

 

The team calculated the best mounting points for these actuators and performed stress analyses on the chassis to ensure rider safety. Next, the team set to work on building the foundations of a sophisticated control system for simulating accurate motion while prioritizing safety. All of this was done without sacrificing the overall look of the machine, which can be customized to reflect the experience set by the ride artists and engineers. 

 

As the project continues into the 2020-21 school year, more work will be done to the ride control system to create smoother and quicker actuator movement. While the simulator will be fully functional with video game and simulation computer software, a separate team at TEA@SDSU will work on creating unique, preset ride experiences much like those seen in the themed entertainment world. 

 

Thank you to Progressive Automations, San Diego State University, Aztec Racing, and the Themed Entertainment Association for making this project possible.