Motorcycle simulator subjective and objective validation for low speed maneuvering

Grottoli, Marco; Mulder, Max; Happee, Riender · 2023 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1177/09544070221110930

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Summary

This study addresses the validation of a motorcycle riding simulator specifically for low-speed maneuvering (0–10 m/s), a domain previously underexplored compared to high-speed simulation. While driving simulators are widely used in automotive engineering, motorcycle simulators face unique challenges due to the complex dynamics of two-wheeled vehicles, particularly regarding the rendering of roll motion and steering feel. The research aims to determine if the developed simulator provides adequate reproduction of a real vehicle in terms of perceived realism and behavioral fidelity during acceleration, braking, and turning. The experimental design involved 12 licensed male participants who performed three specific maneuvers: accelerating from standstill to 30 km/h, braking from 30 km/h to standstill, and executing a constant-radius turn at 25 km/h. The study compared two conditions: one with platform motion (M) and one without (NM). The simulator utilized a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) and a speed-dependent control strategy for steering torque, transitioning from a torsional spring model at very low speeds to a more advanced torque feedback control at higher speeds. Motion cueing was based on an algorithm designed to reproduce specific forces at the rider’s head. Behavioral fidelity was assessed by comparing participant performance metrics (lateral position and longitudinal velocity errors) against data from a test rider on an instrumented real motorcycle. Subjective fidelity was measured using continuous realism ratings, a simulator presence questionnaire, and the Misery Scale for simulator sickness. The results indicated that participants could successfully reproduce the selected maneuvers without falling or losing balance, reporting a sufficient level of simulator realism. Subjectively, the inclusion of platform motion significantly increased simulator presence, enhancing the feeling of involvement in the virtual environment. Objectively, the comparison between simulator and real-world data showed good agreement in behavioral fidelity. Notably, platform motion had a limited but positive influence on performance during the braking maneuver, suggesting that motion cues are beneficial for accurately reproducing real-life braking experiences. For acceleration and turning, the influence of motion on behavioral fidelity was less pronounced. The study also confirmed that the HMD setup was effective, avoiding the motion sickness issues previously associated with such displays in similar contexts. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to the development of high-fidelity motorcycle simulators for low-speed dynamics, which are critical for training riders to cope with vehicle instabilities and for evaluating active safety systems. By demonstrating that a simulator can achieve good behavioral fidelity and high subjective presence through specific motion cueing and steering control strategies, the study validates the use of such tools for safe and repeatable human-vehicle interaction studies. The findings suggest that while motion platforms enhance perceived realism, their impact on objective performance varies by maneuver, providing specific guidance for future simulator design and validation protocols.

Key finding

Platform motion significantly increased simulator presence and improved behavioral fidelity for braking maneuvers, while participants generally achieved sufficient realism and performance in low-speed maneuvers.

Methodology

simulator

Sample size: 12

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• simulator validity fidelity
• simulator sickness
• motorcyclist skill
• simulator training transfer

Information type

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• Methodological Resource: validation psychometrics, tool software