French engineer Frederic Nicolo has developed a motorcycle simulator capable of performing at the same level as some of the most complex driving simulators. The scientific calculation engineer started developing the program, which uses MapleSim simulation software, after noticing a lack of sufficient motorbike simulators.
Designed to accommodate the unique characteristics of motorbikes, the simulator takes into account rider interactions; physical modeling of the rider, motorbike and environment; and a 3D visualization of the virtual world. This means that the simulator is highly realistic.
Nicolo believes the new simulator will benefit an audience that otherwise wouldn’t have been reached: “The motorbike industry addresses a limited audience: motorcycle manufacturers are few, and investment in research and development is low compared to the automotive sector.”
In the future Nicolo aims to develop the program further, by incorporating more accurate models, and making it more complex. In addition to this, he aims to add even more functions, such as data acquisition processing and mechanical part sizing and actuators.
“As the simulator continues to evolve, it will be able to perform even more functions with greater accuracy, MapleSim provides the motorcycle simulator with effective tools to further develop system performance.”
August 24, 2017
