Moog Provides Motion System and Software to Daimler AG for a Leading-Edge Dynamic Driving Simulator Project

18 January 2011

EAST AURORA, NY -- Moog Inc. announced today that the Company provided the high dynamic motion control system and software portion of the Daimler AG driving simulator, located at the Mercedes Benz Technology Center in Sindelfingen, Germany. Moog's motion control expertise is part of the successful development of this dynamic driving simulator.

The new simulator center in Sindelfingen contains multiple simulators all optimized for specific test situations including research, assessment and training. The center includes both fixed base driving simulators and a ride and comfort simulator previously delivered by Moog. "We worked closely with Daimler's engineering team to develop this system, and this challenging project required a completely new and very different approach. We are delighted to hear positive feedback from engineers working with the system," said Pim van den Dijssel, business manager Europe, for Moog.

The Moog electrical motion base is a hexapod consisting of six moveable legs supporting a dome. Inside the dome there is a full-size Mercedes-Benz car model where test drivers sit and view a 360° projection screen showing real-life traffic scenes with moving pedestrians, oncoming traffic and buildings. The entire motion system is mounted on a lateral rail, which allows for the simulation of sideways movements, such as lane changes. The complete motion system is controlled by Moog real-time software. From the driver's inputs to pedals and steering wheel the Daimler vehicle models calculate position, velocity and acceleration data. Moog software ensures that this information is translated to movements in the hexapod and lateral rail so the driver's expectations are matched. Consequently, driving the simulator feels the same as driving a car.

The system, integrated by Daimler engineers, also features leading-edge energy efficient technology. "For the last decade, simulators have been applied in many automobile test areas, including research, assessment and training. The development of Daimler's latest dynamic driving simulator was very challenging in terms of the technologies required to meet their specifications. We were able to bring new ideas and approaches to satisfy the technical requirements and meet the project specifications and objectives," said van den Dijssel.

About Moog

Moog Inc. is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems. Moog's high-performance systems control military and commercial aircraft, satellites and space vehicles, launch vehicles, missiles, automated industrial machinery, wind turbines, marine and medical equipment. Additional information about the company and this simulator can be found atwww.moog.com and www.moog.com/test.