By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: IAAPS will integrate an Ansible Motion Delta S2 simulator with its 1,800 kW four-wheel-drive powertrain test facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, creating a driver-in-the-loop environment in which a human driver, simulated vehicle dynamics and physical propulsion hardware run together in real time. The Delta S2 simulator has already supported race preparation involving F1 Academy driver Rachel Robertson, and IAAPS is now engaging with organisations across motorsport, automotive and the wider transportation sector to realise the capability’s broader potential.
Key engineering takeaway: The Delta S2 simulator uses a six-degree-of-freedom motion base, a projection-based visual system and an interchangeable cockpit. Coupling it to a 1,800 kW 4WD powertrain facility means the driver’s inputs act on real propulsion hardware rather than on a powertrain model, so the interaction between driver, propulsion system and vehicle systems can be evaluated for internal combustion, hybrid and battery electric vehicles before a complete prototype exists.
Why it matters: IAAPS says the capability gives customers a flexible platform for applications ranging from race preparation and driver optimisation to automotive and wider transportation development. With the Delta S2 simulator linked to physical propulsion hardware, the interactions between driver, propulsion system and vehicle systems can be evaluated on a rig earlier in a programme, reducing reliance on physical prototypes, track time and on-road testing.
- Immersive Driver-in-the-Loop simulator will connect with a 1,800 kW four-wheel-drive powertrain test facility
- Will combine human inputs, simulated vehicle dynamics and physical propulsion hardware in real time
- Enables complex vehicle systems to be developed and validated earlier in the development cycle, reducing technical risk and reliance on physical prototypes
- Helps customers optimise vehicle setup, strategy and driver performance while reducing track time, tyre use and vehicle mileage
An advanced Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator will combine virtual vehicle dynamics with physical propulsion hardware at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, supporting faster development for motorsport, automotive and wider transportation customers.
IAAPS will integrate an Ansible Motion Delta S2 simulator with its 1,800 kW four-wheel-drive powertrain test facility, bringing simulated vehicle behaviour, human driver inputs and physical powertrain hardware together within a single real-time development environment.
The new DiL simulator will enable customers to evaluate the dynamic interactions between the driver, propulsion system and vehicle systems. Complex development and validation work can begin earlier, helping to reduce technical risk, physical prototype testing requirements and overall development time.
The simulator has already supported race preparation involving F1 Academy driver Rachel Robertson. IAAPS is now engaging with organisations across motorsport, automotive and the wider transportation sector to realise the capability’s broader potential.
Motorsport Setup, Strategy And Driver Training
For motorsport customers, the simulator supports vehicle setup optimisation, calibration, strategy development and scenario testing. Drivers can also use the platform for track familiarisation, race procedure practice, coaching and consistency training.
By evaluating more options before arriving at the circuit, teams and drivers can make better engineering decisions while reducing their use of valuable track time, tyres and vehicle mileage. The controlled environment can also help develop driver confidence and improve communication between drivers and engineers.
The new IAAPS DiL simulator gives motorsport organisations and individual competitors access to professional simulation tools and engineering support without the cost and complexity of owning and operating their own simulator facility.
IAAPS supports the capability with integrated engineering services spanning real-time simulation, X-in-the-Loop methodologies, physical testing, control systems, data analysis and vehicle development.
“This capability gives customers a flexible platform for a diverse range of applications, from race preparation and driver optimisation to automotive and wider transportation development,” said Professor Rob Oliver, Managing Director of IAAPS. “By combining simulation with our advanced facilities and engineering expertise, we can help customers develop and validate complex systems earlier, more efficiently and with reduced technical risk.”
Automotive Validation Before A Complete Physical Prototype
For automotive manufacturers and technology suppliers, the DiL simulator accelerates vehicle development by moving testing and validation into a controlled, rig-based environment earlier in a programme.
Driver behaviour, propulsion system response and wider vehicle functions can be evaluated before a complete physical prototype is available. This supports more efficient development and validation of internal combustion, hybrid and battery electric vehicles while reducing dependence on physical prototypes and on-road testing.
The adaptability of the platform also creates opportunities outside the automotive sector. Potential applications include combining operator training with control system validation for aerospace and marine organisations, allowing human interaction with complex systems to be assessed safely and repeatably.
Delta S2 Simulator Motion Base, Visuals And Cockpit
The Delta S2 simulator features a six-degree-of-freedom motion base, an immersive projection-based visual system and an interchangeable cockpit. It forms part of IAAPS’ broader portfolio of research, engineering and testing services for the development of future propulsion systems, technologies and advanced validation methods.
Delta S2 Simulator: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Delta S2 simulator?
The Delta S2 is an Ansible Motion driver-in-the-loop simulator with a six-degree-of-freedom motion base, an immersive projection-based visual system and an interchangeable cockpit. IAAPS is integrating it with its 1,800 kW four-wheel-drive powertrain test facility at the Bristol and Bath Science Park.
How does a driver-in-the-loop simulator work with a powertrain dyno?
In a coupled setup of this kind, the driver’s pedal and steering inputs drive a real-time vehicle model, the model’s torque demand is sent to the physical powertrain on the dynamometers, and the measured response is fed back into the vehicle model the driver feels through the motion base and visuals. IAAPS describes the result as a single real-time development environment combining simulated vehicle behaviour, human driver inputs and physical powertrain hardware.
What is the difference between DiL, HiL and powertrain-in-the-loop testing?
Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) testing puts a real controller or component against a simulated plant. Powertrain-in-the-loop (PiL) puts the physical powertrain on a dyno against a simulated vehicle and road. Driver-in-the-loop (DiL) adds a human driver in a simulator. The IAAPS setup combines the last two, so a human driver is in the loop with real propulsion hardware rather than a powertrain model.
What does linking the simulator to a 1,800 kW powertrain test facility allow?
IAAPS says driver behaviour, propulsion system response and wider vehicle functions can be evaluated before a complete physical prototype is available, supporting development and validation of internal combustion, hybrid and battery electric vehicles. For motorsport customers it supports setup optimisation, calibration, strategy development and scenario testing.
Who can use the IAAPS DiL simulator?
IAAPS says it is engaging with organisations across motorsport, automotive and the wider transportation sector. It says the simulator gives motorsport organisations and individual competitors access to professional simulation tools and engineering support without the cost and complexity of owning and operating their own simulator facility, and that potential applications outside the automotive sector include combining operator training with control system validation for aerospace and marine organisations.
Further Reading
- What Is A DIL Simulator? A Driver-in-the-Loop Engineer’s Guide
- CamMotive Launches Powertrain In The Loop Hub Dyno
- Ansible Motion And IAAPS Launch Vehicle-In-The-Loop (VIL) Test Environment
- AVL And Ansible Motion Integrate Real-Time Vehicle Simulation With Driver-in-the-Loop Testing
- Ansible Motion Launches Delta T1 Sport Compact DIL Simulator
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