Motion simulators recreate real-world experiences in their entirety from the G-forces of a military jet to driving a reconnaissance vehicle in combat to being in space – all in a controlled environment.

The UMS incorporates state-of-the art haptics technology, intelligent robot control and motion cueing algorithms, in one simulation platform that can quickly and easily simulate different types of land vehicles, air crafts and marine vessels, in a virtual environment. This simulation platform can also be utilised for spatial disorientation and motion sickness desensitisation. 

Combining our expertise in intelligent systems engineering in medical, military and commercial applications, and utilising our library of commercially available devices, our researchers can custom design haptic interfaces – the manual devices that allow us to interact with a virtual world – to suit a range of requirements.

This technology has unlocked unlimited potential and are best suited to companies and government bodies working in defence, security, emergency services and health. 

Our innovative work in this area has resulted in several commercial spinouts, including:

• FLAIM Systems, which uses VR and immersive technologies to produce skills training for emergency services that are safe, versatile, realistic and immersive.
• Universal Motion Simulator Pty Ltd (UMS), which secured over $50 million contract to procure the Reconfigurable Driver Simulator. 
• RAIDER Targetry, which commercialises advanced live-fire target training technology developed at IISRI. 

Backed by our expertise and experience in addition to more than $40 million of advanced simulation technology, our research team is on the cutting-edge of motion simulation innovation.

The global economy is constantly evolving, and recent events have shown that large-scale design and manufacturing must be flexible.

Our $9 million Genesis Simulator is demonstrating how we can use motion simulation to improve automotive design and fast-track transport prototyping to get new cars on the road more efficiently.

The Simulator, which uses Model S3 from Ansible Motion, is the first of its kind in Australia, and the only one in the world based in a research institute. 

The Genesis Simulator provides compelling virtual worlds for vehicle development engineers and expert drivers for cost-effect product testing and evaluation of new vehicle design. It also offers bespoke training platforms – a safer alternative to more traditional methods. 

Already we are working with Ford Australia, which is utilising the platform for virtual vehicle design and prototyping before building optimised prototype vehicles for test and evaluation in their Proving Ground. We hope the work we do together with the Genesis Simulator will position Ford Australia as the vehicle design, test, and evaluation hub for Ford Motor Company, securing jobs in Geelong, Australia.

The Genesis Simulator expands our motion simulation research beyond our current automotive partners and to new opportunities.