Driving simulators with stereoscopic panoramic projections (3D) are particularly suitable for the development of driving functions, HMI applications and driver assistance systems. The driver sits in a "virtual vehicle " and sees the interior, the controls and the displays in the space in front of him. By using head tracking, the perspective for the head position is adjusted in real-time.
Additional elements of virtual reality (VR) include the simulation of vehicle noise and tactile steering wheel and pedal responses, which provide important feedback to the driver in regards to the operating condition of the vehicle. The VR environment can be implemented in conjunction with the FKFS development simulators or adapted to customer-specific simulation equipment.
In the VR simulator, driving functions that have visual, auditory and tactile effects can be evaluated subjectively and improved interactively. The functions are then typically implemented on a prototype control device. With the basic tuning accomplished in the interactive simulator, a basic level of drivability is usually achieved, whereby the fine-tuning may be continued immediately in driving tests.