A four quadrant inertial mass torque reactor based road vibration source for spatial enhancement of virtual reality driving simulators

The driving simulator used by KMRREC (Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation) to test the cognitive driving ability of traumatic brain injury and stroke victims lacked realism. This manuscript summarizes the results and conclusions drawn from a design and construction project. This project has been realized to verify the hypothesis that adding a simulated road vibration source will increase the subject\´s sense of presence. The finished construction consists of a vibratory platform on which the subject is seated -either in a chair or in a wheelchair- which has four electromagnetic vibrators and four spring loaded feet affixed to it. This project is enabling researchers to ascertain to what level the subject\´s immersion or "sense of presence" into the simulation may be increased by this sort of system.